UC San Diego
Literature
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Undergraduate Program

Literature is the study of representation, ideas, language, and culture. As such, it is a source of knowledge and pleasure, as well as a field of study. Literary texts are social documents in artistic form which speak to us as much about historical issues as about aesthetic matters. Literature students learn to think critically and to understand the role that texts play in a given society, past or present.

All literature courses at UCSD are offered by a single Department of Literature. The department brings together teachers, writers, scholars, and students of several different languages and literatures. Here, they are united by the nature of the studies they pursue. This lends a comparative aspect to both the undergraduate and graduate programs, which lead to the B.A., M.F.A., and Ph.D. degrees.


Dean Seth Lerer



The case for
humanism in a
high tech world






Literature Professor and Dean Seth Lerer  -  Interview on Montana Public Radio. Lerer talks about his love of literature - and why he thinks reading and storytelling are important, whether you want to be a teacher or a doctor or a computer programmer (requires flash).

"Studying Literature"

"Studying Literature and Writing at UCSD was one of the most exciting times of my life. The professors in both areas are some of the most intelligent, forward-thinking teachers I've had the pleasure to work with. [More]

Meghan Pino
Literature/Writing Major
Class of 2006

UCSD named one of the Nation's Top 10 Public Universities

Student Advising:
Danny Panella
Undergraduate Advisor
117 Literature Building
(858) 534-8681
Virtual Advising

Director Undergraduate Studies:
John D. Blanco


Virtual Advising