Literature holds a unique position among the disciplines. Because language is both its medium and object of study, literature serves as a point of convergence for issues that concern aesthetics, psychology, sociology, law, philosophy, anthropology, and history. At the same time, literature explores these issues from the fresh perspective of an author's singular imagination.
American University's Department of Literature is also unique because, in addition to award-winning scholars and teachers concerned with the aesthetic and historical elements of literary study, our faculty includes accomplished creative writers and teachers of film. Thus our students are able to complement traditional literary study with the additional film and creative writing curriculum.
