Literature

The Great Works

The literature minor has limited hours so that students in a variety of fields can obtain it. Students from the following majors have found the literature minor coursework to be relevant to their areas of study: English, Theology, Elementary education, History, Political science, Communication and many more.

Students are exposed not only to traditional works in American and British literature, but also to multicultural and non-Western literature. Authors studied include Langston Hughes, Geoffrey Chaucer, Virginia Woolf, Toni Morrison, William Faulkner, Salman Rushdie, Amy Tan and Sherman Alexie, among many others.

Through their studies, students develop the ability to think and write critically about literature in addition to appreciating literature.

To help students gain an even greater appreciation of literature, the department plans a trip to England every two years for a literary tour — one week in the countryside, and one week in the heart of London. Literature students also frequently attend plays at Chicago’s Shakespeare Theatre.

Understanding that literature is connected to the world in which we live, students who have completed work for a minor in literature have deepened their liberal arts education and enriched their main studies.

Chicago's Literary Community Next Door

With convenient access to some of the top publishers, book sellers and writing professionals in the country, Olivet students often journey to Chicago for literary events. The American Writers Museum, the Poetry Foundation, the Chicago Public Library and the Chicago Tribune Printers Row Lit Fest are just a few of the many draws.

Student Publications

Our entire world is made up of elements, both literally and figuratively. There are elements of fire, water, air and earth. There are elements of fiction, of music, of electromagnetics. Tygr, the student art and literary magazine published each academic year, is dedicated to cultivating individual perceptions of the elements that make up our world. Written and published by students with faculty advisors, this magazine brings together a unique collection of Olivet’s creativity.

Beth Schurman

Preparing the next generation of English teachers is a passion for Beth Schurman. She is an experienced high school English teacher and also a higher education teaching professional. In her work with student teachers, she observes them in their assigned classrooms. An accomplished writer and speaker, she has presented at the National Council of Teachers of English and the Midwest Association of Teacher Educators conferences.