# Literature

**Source**: https://www.su.se/english/education/course-catalogue/education-subjects/arts-and-humanities/literature
**Parent**: https://www.su.se/english/education/course-catalogue/education-subjects

Do you like to read and are interested in how literature has changed throughout history, from the oral dictation of the past to today's digital text worlds? Do you think about what literature really is? Do you want to become an expert in analyzing and interpreting texts? Then literature science is a subject that suits you!

## Subject description

In all times and in all cultures, people have been telling stories and performing songs and poetry, practices which have led to the written text that we identify as literature. But what is literature? What does it look like, how is it written, and how is it designed? And who decides what literature is? These are the questions we ask. The literary researcher comments, analyses, historicizes, and interprets literature.

As a literary scholar, you get to study poems, short stories, novels and plays in their historical, social and design contexts. You get to read and discuss both well-known classics as well as recent literature and at the same time immerse yourself in everything from the ABC of storytelling to ecocritical and intermedial perspectives. You get to listen to educational big lectures, you get to practice arguing at the seminars and you get to practice writing reviews and scientific texts.

During your studies in literature, you will develop literary-historical competence and be trained in critical thinking. If you study for a degree in literature, you will obtain a solid humanistic and scientific education.

We offer a variety of courses, from the basic course literature science and a number of independent evening and distance courses, up to the master's program in literature science.

## Career opportunities

Former students often go on to careers that demand strong reading and writing skills, a sharp feel for language, and a solid understanding of academic and critical thinking. Some work in publishing as editors, commissioning editors or language specialists. Others become cultural journalists, appearing in newspapers, on radio and television, and across digital platforms.

Many literature graduates work in public-sector roles at local or national level, for example as cultural officers or communications professionals. Teaching and librarianship are two other career paths where a degree in literary studies has traditionally played an important role.

Many authors and translators also hold academic qualifications in the subject, using their studies as a strong professional credential.

## Courses and programmes

Courses and programmes within the subject area.

### Courses at bachelor's level

[Current courses at bachelor's level](https://www.su.se/english/education/course-catalogue?q=&educationSubjectGroupIds=%5B%223%22%5D&educationTypeId=%5B%2222+24%22%5D&internationalStudents=%5B%22true%22%5D&educationLevelId=%5B%221%22%5D&educationSubjectIds=%5B%22155552%22%5D)\

### Courses at master's level

[Current courses at master's level](https://www.su.se/english/education/course-catalogue?q=&educationSubjectGroupIds=%5B%223%22%5D&educationTypeId=%5B%2222+24%22%5D&internationalStudents=%5B%22true%22%5D&educationSubjectIds=%5B%22155552%22%5D&educationLevelId=%5B%222%22%5D)

### Master's programmes

[Current master's programmes](https://www.su.se/english/education/course-catalogue?q=&educationSubjectGroupIds=%5B%223%22%5D&educationTypeId=%5B%2278+101270%22%5D&internationalStudents=%5B%22true%22%5D&educationSubjectIds=%5B%22155552%22%5D&educationLevelId=%5B%222%22%5D)

### PhD studies

Our doctoral studies take four years and result in a degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). During this period you will both take advanced courses in your field of interest and write a thesis.

[More about PhD studies](https://www.su.se/department-of-culture-and-aesthetics/education/courses-and-programmes/phd-studies-at-the-department-of-culture-and-aesthetics-1.585889?eventopenforinternationalstudents=true&notforcedreason=0&q=&xpanded=)

## Degree

For a bachelor’s degree in Literature you can choose to study individual courses or join one of the bachelor’s programmes listed under Educations within the subject.

A master’s degree in Literature can only be obtained through enrolment in one of the master’s programmes listed under Educations within the subject.

[More information about degrees at Stockholm University](https://www.su.se/english/education/qualifications-degrees)

## Research

In all times and in all cultures people have been telling stories and performing songs and poetry, practices which have led to the written text that we identify as literature.

But what is literature? What does it look like, how is it written and how is it designed? And who decides what literature is? These are the questions that our field focuses on. The literary researcher comments, analyses, historicizes and interprets literature.

[About our research](https://www.su.se/english/research/research-subjects/literature)

## Contact

## Area of interest

[Arts and Humanities](https://www.su.se/english/education/course-catalogue/education-subjects/arts-and-humanities)