English literature

Reasons for studying English Literature as a major Choosing a college major is the bridge to apply and improve different skills to the chosen major. It is not difficult to choose the desired major but it is a confusing step since it needs and requires certain skills for the chosen major. One of the means by which students can apply when choosing a major is to locate their area of interest and from which they derive fulfillment irrespective of their previous performance. The study of literature involves reading poems, stories, plays, novels, and essays, thinking about them, discussing them, and writing about them. As a result of an increase in the desire for practical skills, most American universities have in recent years resorted to lay emphasis business and other technical education at the expense of the humanities and other social sciences. This belief roots from the general assumption that the study of English literature has little or no utilitarian value (Chambers, 29).
However the English department firmly believes that with the right direction and guidance, the study of literature offers practical lessons which are very much applicable in the current competitive society. Furthermore, it cultivates other important abilities and skills that make it an indispensable part of any university education. English literature department persuades students to complete their studies in this field, especially for those who tend to know, deal, understand, criticize and figure out peoples language, interaction, and thoughts, too. It encourages students to deal in depth with English Literatures works that represent the life style and thoughts of people who were in the 18th and 19th centuries.
The majority of female students tend to choose the major that is suitable for their physical ability. Furthermore, they may prefer to choose a major that fulfill their rights and express their environments harsh expectations. So, English Literature persuades many female students to choose it as their desired major in order to apply and understand what they are going to learn for their own sakes. Moreover, English professors assume that the majority of English Literature graduate students have enhanced their writing skills and some of them select that major for their own writing purposes. Some female students select this course so that they can enhance their creativity as well as developing their artistic skills since literature is a very flexible course.
English Literature department offers different kinds of reading works. It offers novels, poems, poetry and plays. Its purpose is to require the students to read, annotate, realize analyses and criticize, too. The study of English literature offers an opportunity for people to express their inner thoughts, beliefs and ideas in a more creative manner that is can be understood by everyone. It is an excellent means of educating the masses as well as providing a means of escaping from ordinary way of life. For example, through reading of novels, one gets involved in the life and thoughts of the characters that may not be portraying a typical way of life known to the reader. The learners are able to improve in their grammar and spelling, and also be in better position to understand as well as appreciate different cultures in a more meaningful way. It is evident that some people study literature for their own pleasure since it allows them to learn about rituals, superstitions, beliefs and religious beliefs of other people so that they can locate means of approach them.
The study of literature is a way to self discovery and actualization. Many students who have studied literature in the past have confessed that they were able to realize so many things about themselves such in the area of talents and abilities. Wide reading of novels offers one an opportunity for students to locate characters that they identify with and through which they are able to notice shared abilities and talents. Literature also offers comic relief to students; it provides a form of relaxation through genres such as drama and songs. This serves in lowering tension as well as other pressures of life. As a form of art, literature is able to bring about differing emotions coupled with a general sense of well-being. In that respect, it also offers an understanding of philosophical movements as well as ideas that have dominated a given culture in a given period of time (Griffith, 101).
It encourages the students to understand the depth meaning of each work and that enhance their way of thinking to be more creative in their writing. The associate chair of English department at California State University Northridge Professor Kate, explained that students will acquire reading and writing. They will learn how to think, read and write creatively and carefully. They will learn how to solve problems and how to use technology. Professor Kate emphasized that graduate student will have much opportunities of jobs because they acquired skills that many jobs require.
In addition, English department offers English Literature, American Literature and Linguistics classes. It lets students to learn about the traditions and customs of English and American People in the previous centuries. Students select different classes of drama, poetry and novel courses which described the life style of people who lived during the period of 18th and 19th centuries. The department of English aims to discuss different issues; themes and conflicts that many writers and poets tended to show it at their works such as how people were thinking and how they interacted with each other.
English literature department offers classes that discuss issues which each society needs. These issues are discussed in order to be solved. It touches the society’s shortages and finds ways to improve them. In short, literature is the mirror to the society since it reflects exactly what takes place in the society. It outlines the expectations and manner of conduct that is to be expected in a given society ranging from foodstuff, manner of dressing, forms of communication and other general practices.
For instance, Shakespeare was a great Example of the department of English courses. Some of his plays show the theme of feminism. It shows how society treated women during that period. It also shows what society expected from women. They were expected to take care of their homes, husbands, and children. His plays discussed the role of women. They were not expected to speak about any political or economic issues. Shakespeare’s play the Merchant of Venice shows the real role of women. The female characters were not able to perform some roles by themselves in society. However, Shakespeare was able to go against the society’s expectations only through his works which clarify the importance of written works in changing the society to a better life. Shakespeare’s course was a required course to enable the students to understand his unique language.
Literary works such as those written by Chinua Achebe who was a renowned African writer, seeks to rebuke evil in the society through indirect approaches in order to avoid direct confrontation by those fronting the evils in the society. They serve to enlighten the society so that they can find proper means of handling such evils in their society. For example, in Things Fall Apart, Achebe demonstrates how the beliefs in a given society are deeply entrenched in its people such that they are ready to loose their lives in defense for their values and practices.
Work Cited
Chambers, Ellie, and Marshall W. Gregory. Teaching & Learning English Literature. Thousand Oaks, Calif: SAGE, 2006. Internet resource.
Griffith, Benjamin W. English Literature. New York: Barrons, 1991. Print.