Studying Literature at University

[Zephos]

After a disastrous foray into Engineering in my first semester of University, I decided to jump ship to something that is akin to my favourite subject in school (English).

However, I'm pretty apprehensive about the whole thing, namely where it'll take me in life. I paired it with an Economics degree, as sort of a failsafe "money earner" degree, as well as a language (I love studying other cultures). If I had a dream job in life, it would have to be a screenwriter for movies, which my University offers a course or two in for the Literature major, though I know it's not exactly necessary to have a University degree to become one.

Anyway, was wondering who here studies Literature and what do they think of it? And what plans do you guys have after University with degree in tow?

 

[kineaesth]

I'm doing various literature papers as part of my BA, majoring in English and Psychology. To be honest I'm not expecting much out of it, but I would like to do a job involving some sort of writing. I've always just thought it's a good way to become a more intelligent, educated person.
However, I did hear a story from a lecturer about a guy from my University with an Arts degree who got a very high-up job at Maersk-Line, beating out people with commerce, engineering, business and etc. degrees.

 

[Yorick]

I'm doing various literature papers as part of my BA, majoring in English and Psychology. To be honest I'm not expecting much out of it, but I would like to do a job involving some sort of writing. I've always just thought it's a good way to become a more intelligent, educated person.

This, except Sociology rather than Psychology.

I've got no real idea of where it's going to take me, I'm just enjoying the ride and learning what I can. I don't want to get so stressed out and focused on things later that I miss the importance of what's happening now, you know?

I'm not sure how redundant it is to major in Literature and Economics and a language. That seems like a whole lot to take on, and I'm not sure a third major would give you all that much more. Then again I already have a Liberal Arts degree so I guess I'm in the same boat.

 

[kineaesth]

This, except Sociology rather than Psychology.

I've got no real idea of where it's going to take me, I'm just enjoying the ride and learning what I can. I don't want to get so stressed out and focused on things later that I miss the importance of what's happening now, you know?

I'm not sure how redundant it is to major in Literature and Economics and a language. That seems like a whole lot to take on, and I'm not sure a third major would give you all that much more.

I'm doing Sociology too! My incredibly stupid idea is to stay at uni for ten years, rack up a massive student debt, and come out when the job market is expanding again with four or five degrees under my belt.

My less stupid idea is to take a whole bunch of subjects and find one I really enjoy.

Also Yorick I don't think he's majoring in a language.

 

[Zephos]

I'm not sure how redundant it is to major in Literature and Economics and a language. That seems like a whole lot to take on, and I'm not sure a third major would give you all that much more. Then again I already have a Liberal Arts degree so I guess I'm in the same boat.

The degree I'm doing is a dual, so it's an Economics and Arts Degree, with the Arts degree consisting of Literature and possibly a Language major. Basically the same workload a semester, just takes me longer to finish both degrees.

 

[Ennui]

I'm about halfway through a minor in Russian literature (my major is History) and I love it. I would be a Russian literature major if I could do it without having to take years and years of Russian language. Advanced lit classes make you absolutely badass at writing papers, and in my experience they are the most engaging courses in terms of class discussion. I don't expect to ever do anything with the minor though, I'm just taking it because I love old school Russian authors.

 

[jet_porkins]

It should be noted that everyone in this thread that is pursuing a degree (or emphasis) in English/literature is coupling that emphasis with something else.

 

[Eejit]

I'm doing Sociology too! My incredibly stupid idea is to stay at uni for ten years, rack up a massive student debt, and come out when the job market is expanding again with four or five degrees under my belt.

My less stupid idea is to take a whole bunch of subjects and find one I really enjoy.

Also Yorick I don't think he's majoring in a language.

If you're gonna stay at uni for that long you could get a PhD or two.

 

[The Monkey]

I hear it's great, so go for it.

 

[Zephos]

It should be noted that everyone in this thread that is pursuing a degree (or emphasis) in English/literature is coupling that emphasis with something else.

And surely, I am

Even if it has no relevance whatsoever!

 

[AJ Rimmer]

I've enjoyed it, overall. I am particularly psyched about it now that I get to write essays! Literary history is very interesting, personally I find poetry utterly and completely boring, especially... *shudder* modern poetry.

 

[Viperidae]

modern poetry.

It's hard to find the good stuff unless you've looked back first.

Start from the past and work your way forward.

 

[AJ Rimmer]

It's hard to find the good stuff unless you've looked back first.

Start from the past and work your way forward.

What, through 2000+ years of poetry? I haven't got that kind of time, mate.

 

[Ennui]

I find that about 1% of poetry is tolerable, but oh how deliciously tolerable it is.

The other 99% makes me want to stick chopsticks in my eyes.

 

[Viperidae]

What, through 2000+ years of poetry? I haven't got that kind of time, mate.

Try 1200. And yes, that's what degrees are for.

Oh wait... are we talking about the modern definition of 'poetry,' i.e. structure-less prose? Which basically didn't exist until the late 19th century? Well, no surprise you hate it.

 

[AJ Rimmer]

Try 1200. And yes, that's what degrees are for.

No, I think I'll stick with my estimate of 2000+ years, thanks.

 

[Viperidae]

Eh well I had English stuck in my head for this thread so I assumed you meant English poetry. Enjoy your Romans.

 

[AJ Rimmer]

Eh well I had English stuck in my head for this thread so I assumed you meant English poetry. Enjoy your Romans.

Greeks. But thanks, I will.

 

[Sulkdodds]

I study English Language and Literature at Smartsford University and it is great! It is really great. I enjoy it immensely and barely a week goes by without an incident of powerful nerdish glee - for example at ordering an original copy of a 1711 grammar pamphlet from the underground library stacks - that once again confirms my conviction that I have chosen absolutely correctly. This is the subject for me.

And that's really the question. I'm not going to dismiss practical and employment concerns. Your future is important and who wants to be the starving artist in the garrett? But ultimately it is the single most important question you can ask: do I love this? Does it make me come in my pants where a normal person would shrug? Do I enter its exams with a mad anticipation and exit with a deep sense of fulfilment? Could I spend the rest of my life with it, if things turned out that way?

If the answer is no, you needn't worry. At least in the UK, graduates of history and english from decent universities are as eligible for good jobs as anyone else - ComradeBadger, for instance, did History at Lincoln, and last I heard was making quite a lot of money in a sub-managerial position in a fashion company. Me, I want to be a journalist, but I could also be and enjoy being an academic or a scriptwriter or an advertiser or a playwright or jeez I don't know.

 

[Viperidae]

Many up-there CEO's started with non-science, non-econ degrees, also.*

IN OTHER NEWS I just happen to be declaring my major as we speak! Go English!





*I should probably verify this claim but I cba.

 

[kupocake]

But ultimately it is the single most important question you can ask: do I love this? Does it make me come in my pants where a normal person would shrug? Do I enter its exams with a mad anticipation and exit with a deep sense of fulfilment? Could I spend the rest of my life with it, if things turned out that way?

I think I omitted to ask myself this. Thank god it's done with.

 

[venturon]

The degree I'm doing is a dual, so it's an Economics and Arts Degree, with the Arts degree consisting of Literature and possibly a Language major. Basically the same workload a semester, just takes me longer to finish both degrees.

Where are you studying?

 

[Ennui]

Does it make me come in my pants where a normal person would shrug? Do I enter its exams with a mad anticipation and exit with a deep sense of fulfilment? Could I spend the rest of my life with it, if things turned out that way?

This is true. Literature exams are stressful but doing them well feels great. Same with papers - they're a bitch to write but when you're done you're like hell yeah what a badass paper I just wrote.