Literary and Cultural Studies
Guided by accomplished faculty, students engage with a variety of media, cultures, and methodologies.
At A Glance
What You'll Learn:
- How to create and critique cultural artifacts and practices (literature, music, visual arts, philosophy, theater, popular culture)
- Independent critical thinking, persuasive writing, and empathy with diverse populations
- The music, literature, art, and cultural practices of your own community as well as others
What You'll Do:
- Focus on an aspect of cultural analysis that intrigues you
- Develop your interpretation of literature and other media forms
- Sharpen your writing skills as you analyze a variety of texts and practices
- Develop a portfolio of creative production for your capstone project, including writing, video, performance, and photography
Possible Career Options:
- Publisher
- Film Producer
- Writer
- Professor
- Lawyer
- Museum Curator
- Nonprofit Administration
- Diversity and Inclusion Manager
- Teacher
Our Students
"Writing has always been my passion. I’m a storyteller at heart ... I’ve [also] learned a lot about marketing and putting yourself out there. That’s a huge part of being successful in the publishing industry."
Olivia Soffey '26
- Literary and Cultural Studies
- Complementary Minors: Marketing, Arts and Creative Industries
- Hometown: Douglas, MA
"There truly is something for everyone here at Bryant, and the small population allows for close relationships to be made with faculty and peers alike."
Katelyn Howerton '25
- Double Major: Literary and Cultural Studies, and History
- Complementary Minor: Marketing
- Hometown: Dayton, NV
Where Our Students Go
Graduates of Bryant's Literary and Cultural Studies program go on to prestigious graduate programs and are in demand by business, industry, and nonprofit organizations.
- Americorps
- Penguin Random House
- Boston University
- Pearson
- Hubspot
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Leslie Dill Studio
- Bank of America
- Quinnipiac University
- Merrill Lynch
- Massachusetts General Hospital
- Rhode Island School of Design
- WGBH Boston
- Target
- University of Connecticut
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- Teacher's College, Columbia University
Our Faculty Are Teachers And Mentors
Learn through experience.
At Bryant, we believe in learning by doing. Literary and Cultural Studies students participate in experiential learning opportunities such as student clubs and organizations, internships, practicums, and research collaboration with faculty who represent fields as varied as philosophy, literature, media studies, and visual art. With small class sizes and dedicated faculty mentors across the major, students receive the attention and resources they need to excel.
Career Education
- Conduct site visits to community partner arts organizations like Trinity Repertory Theater Company, Festival Ballet Providence, and the Rhode Island Artists' Exchange
- Intern at culture and publishing organizations such as the Worcester Museum of Art and C&G Media
- Engage with artists, libraries, museums, theaters, social service agencies, marketing and media companies, and government organizations
- Explore a variety of opportunities at social service agencies, events marketing companies, and government organizations
Student Clubs and Organizations
- Bryant Arts & Creativity
- Creative Writing Club
- Thrive Magazine
- Bryant Improv Troupe
- Bryant Players
- The Bryant Literary Review
Service
- Giving for Good Marketplace
- ONE Campaign
International
- Semester-long study abroad programs
- Short-term study abroad trips led by faculty and tied to academic courses, such as Italian Culture, History, and Gastronomy, and Topics in Environmental Humanities
Research
- Conduct archival research in world-renowned library special collections with support from a faculty advisor
- Present creative and critical work at Pop Up Gallery Night