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Academic ProgramsAbout This Program
The Literature Minor encompasses a range of American, British, and world texts. The 20-credit program provides a strong foundation of courses in literature and builds your familiarity with major works and writers, critical theory, literary terminology, and research materials.
After the introductory course in literary studies, you choose four or more literature electives, with options spanning the breadth of the field, from Shakespeare and classical mythology to literature of the oppressed. You will learn to interpret and analyze literary texts with attention to their contexts as well as their formal and stylistic elements, and to bring criticism and theory to bear on what you read.
Why Choose This Minor
Readers are valued everywhere. Because of their command of written language, their ability to deal with ideas and concepts as well as facts, and their broader understanding of human nature and social realities, students who minor in Literature are valued in many fields, including teaching, library and archive science, law, politics, business, health, nonprofits, journalism, and entertainment.
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Declare your Minor
Our programs offer exciting, hands-on, and career relevant courses that set you up for success. Don't delay, declare today.
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Get Rowdy Ready
Follow the semester-by-semester steps outlined in the CLAS Student Success Roadmap to ensure your success at MSU Denver.
Take me to the CLAS Student Success RoadmapBenefits of Earning Your Literature Minor at MSU Denver
Read widely and deeply
Study major works and writers across American, British, and world literature, and build the critical vocabulary to talk about them: literary terminology, critical theory, and the research skills of the discipline.
Make the tradition your own
Literature study at MSU Denver is not just reception. You will apply criticism, theory, and concepts to your own readings and interpretations, and create an original text or project that demonstrates your command of the field.
Carry it into any career
The skills of a literature student (close reading, clear writing, and comfort with complex ideas) transfer directly into teaching, law, politics, business, health, nonprofits, journalism, entertainment, and library and archive science.
Career Opportunities for Our Graduates
An MSU Denver Minor in Literature can be your springboard to careers ranging from writing and teaching to law and public service. Here are a few career paths to consider:
- Adult Literacy Instructor
- Advertising
- Author
- Announcer, TV/Radio
- Desktop Publisher
- Digital Media/Web Content Editor
- Editor
- Interpreter/Translator
- Lawyer
- Librarian
- Linguist
- Media Specialist
- News Reporter
- Public Relations
- Promotions Manager
- Proofreader
- Researcher
- Sales Manager
- Social Media Search Strategist
- Speech Writer
- Teacher
- Technical Writer
- Textbook Editor
- University Administrator
- Writer
Featured Faculty
Chereka Dickerson, Ph.D., Associate Professor of English
Dr. Chereka Dickerson is a critical race, feminist, and gender studies scholar with a particular interest in American and multiethnic women’s writing, focusing on literature, poetry, and life writing. She teaches American literature, African American literature, African American women writers, women’s literature, hip-hop and literature, composition, US women of color literature, and life writing and auto/biography studies.
Craig Svonkin, Ph.D., Professor of English
Dr. Craig Svonkin is Executive Director of the Pacific Ancient and Modern Language Association. His essays explore American and children’s literature, poetry, culture, and film, and his most recent publication is the co-edited Bloomsbury Handbook of Contemporary American Poetry (2023). He teaches American literature, children’s literature and culture, American film and visual culture, poetry, and critical theory.
Laura Niesen de Abruña, Ph.D., Professor of English
Dr. Laura Niesen de Abruña is Professor of English and former Provost and Executive Vice President at MSU Denver. She has published extensively in American literature, Caribbean literature, and academic administration, including The Refining Fire: Herakles and Other Heroes in T. S. Eliot’s Works and essays on Jamaica Kincaid, Jean Rhys, and Paule Marshall. She earned her B.A. in English from Smith College and her M.A. and Ph.D. in English Language and Literature from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
Alumni at Work
MSU Denver English program alumni have been hired by the following organizations:
- Colorado Office of the Attorney General
- Servicios de la Raza
- Brain Balance Achievement Center
- Aurora Public Schools Foundation
- Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
- Colorado Historical Society
- Cesar Chavez Academy
- Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
- California Department of Justice
- Colorado Office of the Governor
- Neighborhood Solutions
- University of Chicago Press
- Aurora Central High School
- Bear Creek High School
MSU Denver English alumni have been accepted for post-graduate study at numerous schools, including:
- University of Colorado, Boulder
- University of Denver
- Regis University
- University of London
- University of Oregon
- New York University
- University of California, Los Angeles
- McGill University
Why Choose MSU Denver
Hispanic Serving Institution
MSU Denver serves more Hispanic/Latinx students than any other institution of higher education in Colorado. In Fall 2025, 37% of undergraduates identified as Hispanic/Latinx.
Learn more about MSU Denver's Designation
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
MSU Denver is dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion and has received the Higher Education Excellence and Distinction (HEED) Award from Insight Into Academia for 12 consecutive years.
Learn more about DEI at MSU Denver
Transfer Student Leader
MSU Denver has been the top transfer destination for Colorado students for over 20 years. Our students make an immediate impact on our workforce and community.
Learn more about MSU Denver's Excellence
Campus Map
Campus Location:
King Center
4th floor
Hours:
Mon-Thurs 8:00-5:00 PM
on campus
Friday 8:00-3:00 PM
by phone and email
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 173362
Campus Box 32
Denver, Colorado 80217-3362
Phone: 303-615-1800
For general and advising questions, please email: [email protected]