What can you do with an English literature degree?
Why study an english literature degree our essential guide to what you will learn on an english literature course, what you should study to get your place on a degree, and what jobs you can get once you graduate.


What can you do with an English literature degree?
A degree in English literature provides graduates with many transferable skills including communication, the ability to work analytically and complete research, and the skills to work independently. Although teaching is one of the most popular career routes with an English degree, there are actually many possibilities for work.
Some roles for English literature graduates include:

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What is English literature?
The study of English literature focuses mainly on analysis, debate and critical theorising about a large number of published works, be they novels, poems, plays or other literary works.
Given this number of genres, it is perhaps unsurprising that a degree in English literature can be incredibly wide-ranging; two students on the same degree course can choose to study very different things outside of their core modules.
As well as analysis, students can also expect to have to defend their ideas, since it’s not enough to simply note something about a text, this must be accompanied by explanation and argument.
You can also expect to be taught aspects of creative writing and how to express ideas in various literary forms. It’s certainly a challenging course to take at university, but it can be immensely rewarding for those with a passion for English who are willing to work for it.
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What do you learn on an english literature degree.
Most English literature degrees, will start off with a focus on classics and core texts from the country you are studying in.
More specifically, courses will often go through historical examples of landmark literature such as the works of Toni Morrison, William Shakespeare and Charles Dickens then perhaps introducing other lesser-known examples.
You may also be introduced to some foreign texts, although these will mainly be classics.
As the course continues you will be given more freedom to explore authors and genres that hold more interest for you.
In this way, an English literature degree can provide a great opportunity to test and refine your skills in a way that would be hard to do anywhere else, in addition to the opportunities presented by extra-curricular activities; most universities will have student publications you can get involved with.
English literature is also a good subject to study alongside may others such as languages, history, politics or even economics and maths.
What can you do with a languages degree? What can you do with an English language degree? What can you do with a psychology degree? What can you do with a politics degree? What can you do with a philosophy degree? What can you do with a theology degree?
What should I study at high school if I want to study English literature?
As with all degrees, different institutions will have different entry requirements and there is no set pre-requisite for studying English literature.
However there are a few subjects that would be useful to study at high school such as history, philosophy, which can be a great help when studying historical texts and placing them into a context.
In addition to academic qualifications, experience with literature-related activities outside the classroom can be of huge benefit, both in terms of your application and in furthering your enjoyment of the course.
Creative activities such as writing for a publication at school, staying well-read across different types of literature, or even writing your own blog can all prove useful before and during your degree.
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What do people who study English literature do after graduation?
An English literature degree can open a number of doors once you’ve graduated. Opportunities to delve deeper into your field with a postgraduate course are a good choice should you find a particular genre or style of literature that you are particularly passionate about.
In terms of job opportunities, media and publishing can be a good fit for an English literature graduate, as they offer a good way to apply your knowledge of the written language.
These skills will also serve you well in advertising and marketing. Teaching is another option; from primary education right up to tertiary, English as a subject is considered important at all stages.
Georgia Bevis studied BA English and drama at Royal Holloway University and explains that "through studying English literature, I was able to develop my hunger for learning and love of stories into a passion. Now I channel that passion into the learning of others and teaching a new generation a love of learning and of literature in both English and drama." She now works as head of creative arts at a high school in the UK.
The analytical skills associated with such a degree also apply well to things such as law, so many students undertake law conversion courses.
Generally speaking, English literature is a degree well respected by potential employers owing to the numerous transferable skills it demonstrates.
A strong degree from a good university is a fantastic asset to have in general, not only being a great thing for employers and job prospects but also allowing access to excellent postgraduate schemes or conversion courses.
Which famous people studied English literature?
A huge number of famous people have taken English literature at university, either as a direct precursor to their later career or as a stepping stone to some other unrelated industry.
In fact many people choose to take degrees in English literature when they already have successful careers, such is their value.
Some famous graduates include Private Eye editor Ian Hislop, actor and broadcaster Stephen Fry, actress Emma Watson, Green Party MP Caroline Lucas and film director Martin Scorsese.
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- What is English Literature?

English Literature is one of the most popular majors in colleges and universities in the US, with a huge number of students enrolling every year due to its diverse nature and numerous graduate opportunities. But with such a broad area of study, prospective students are often confused about what a degree in English Literature actually provides. This article explains what an English Literature degree looks like, and what doors it can open for graduates.
Common uses of an English Literature degree include becoming a writer, researcher, or teacher. However, there are many other ways to utilize an English Literature degree. Some students use it as a stepping stone to a degree in Law, or in this day and age, some will use it to begin a path in the digital marketing world. Whichever route you end up on, this degree can open doors to many fulfilling career options.
What is English Literature at its Very Core?
English Literature refers to the study of texts from around the world, written in the English language. By studying a degree in English Literature, you will learn how to analyze a multitude of texts and write clearly using several different styles. Generally, literature refers to different types of text including novels, non-fiction, poetry, and plays, among other forms. However, literature is a contested term, as new mediums for communication provide different types of contemporary literature.
Literature is generally defined as writing with artistic merit. However, other types of text such as screenplays, nonfiction, song lyrics, and online communication through blogs and other means, could now be considered literature under the contemporary understanding of the term. The English Literature programs in most major US institutions will largely study the traditional literary texts. An English Literature major will likely examine texts including poetry, drama, and prose fiction, perhaps briefly covering more contested forms of literature in their chosen path.
Studying Literature Versus Reading for Pleasure
If you choose to study Literature in the US, you will learn how to read different texts and analyze the style, use of different types of language, and meaning, in depth. You will also learn how to write clearly, concisely and analytically in stylistically different forms. Generally, Literature courses are divided into different focuses: British Literature, American Literature, World Literature, and periods (pre-1800 and post-2000). You will have core courses in several of these topics and will also be expected to choose a focus of your own interest, such as creative writing or drama. You will ultimately gain a much more in-depth understanding of the texts you cover than is possible from solo-reading, and learn how to express your knowledge through written analysis and presentation or class discussion.
Why Study English Literature?
Studying English Literature in the USA will give you a better understanding of the world around you. A Literature degree provides transferable skills that teach you to deconstruct and analyze in order to provide a critical viewpoint in all areas. As an international student, studying English Literature demonstrates to an employer that you have a strong grasp of the English language and are proficient in professional English.
There are several different paths for careers in literature as a graduate. You can also take graduate courses and become a teacher, lecturer, or journalist, with common crossovers for graduating English students including business, law, and education. Or you can use your analytical skills to move into unexpected careers such as marketing, advertising, or pretty much anything you are willing you adapt to. There are also obvious positions available in the publishing industry, from editor, to proofreader, to literary agent. Many creative writers, including novelists, poets, and screenwriters, among others, start their careers by gaining an in-depth understanding of written English before developing their individual abilities for expression through writing.
If you want to gain a strong-hold on the English language, develop your critical analysis of the world around you, and study in a degree that will provide you with numerous different career opportunities, English Literature could be the right pursuit for you.
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English Language and Literature Degrees
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Whether you’re captivated by Chaucer’s Middle English poetics, obsessed with the colonial subtext in the novels of Joseph Conrad, or take a keen linguistic interest in the rap music of Snoop Dogg, you’ve come to the right place. This guide is all about what to expect from English language and literature degrees , including English topics you may be able to specialize in, opportunities for a journalism career, teaching career, or careers in the arts and humanities sectors, as well as the key skills you will pick up along the way.
- Courses Structure
- English Specializations
What does an English degree cover?
A degree in English language and literature is designed to get you reading books, analyzing theories, critiquing prose and verse, and taking a more critical look at the signs and words surrounding us every day. The aim is to get students thinking creatively and analytically about the English language; this differs from other modern language degrees as it is intended for students already proficient in written and spoken English. An English degree can focus equally on the literature and language sides, while others specialize in one or the other; this will usually be clear from the course title.
A course with a focus on English literature typically allows students to study literary texts from throughout history. Often you’ll start with modules covering a diverse range of literature from different periods; for instance, you could be reading Shakespeare one week and Virginia Woolf the next. Your reading will require you to study and analyze passages, relating texts to their cultural, social, historical and political contexts.
An English language-focused degree will train students to analyze the workings of the English language outside of literature, including language-based communication in all kinds of forms and contexts. This could include analysis of casual spoken conversation, text speak, advertising methods or the uses of language in specialized legal and medical discourse.
Entry requirements
You will often require a high-school or A-level qualification in English language or English literature. Other humanities and arts subjects, such as history and politics, are also looked kindly upon in the admissions process.
Course structure
Those looking to study English will most likely enjoy both independent and group study, but you can expect majority of time spent gaining your English degree to be undertaken solo, as much of the course will require you to commit to long periods of reading and research outside of class.
Because of this you’ll find yourself spending more time working at home or in the library than you will in seminars and lectures. Average hours of contact time with professors and fellow students vary, but you can expect approximately 10-12 hours a week in your first year and slightly longer in your following years as you take on a heavier workload. The rest of the time you are expected to conduct independent study and research for assignments as well as tackling the reading list. This solo work is often intensive, even in university holidays, and can take up around 20-30 hours a week.
As you’d expect, an English literature degree will have a strong focus on canonical and classic literature, meaning one book a week is a pretty average schedule for a single module. Bear in mind however that you will be enrolled on an average of four modules at any one time – not only is passion for literature a must, but also an ability to read fairly quickly. This intensive weekly reading is required for you to engage in criticism and analysis of the texts during lectures and seminars.
Key skills and assessment methods
The study of English literature and language will aim to stretch your independent thought and analytical skills. For this reason, lecturers will not spoon-feed you information but rather expect you to develop your understanding by reading assigned critical theory and journals along with the key texts. Seminars and group discussion provide a setting in which to test your ideas on your fellow students and gain a better understanding through idea sharing and debate.
An English degree is typically assignment-based, with essays and papers to be submitted regularly. Exams are also common, often coming at the end of each year. In some cases you may also be partly assessed based on your contributions to group discussions; the combination of assessment methods used really depends on the institution.
Depending on the country, it will take three or four years to earn a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English, and a further one or two years to achieve a Master of Arts (MA). You may also be able to combine your studies with a second subject as a dual degree or double major, with popular combinations including English and history, philosophy, education, linguistics or a second language.
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English specializations
The chance to specialize in niche fields is common for those who study an English degree, but often once after completing your first year. This first year is commonly used to teach you basic literary theories and concepts along with a solid grounding in the history of literature and fiction. Shakespeare is also a common compulsory module.
From the second year onwards there will be a wider range of English topics and specializations to choose from, often taught by experts in each field.
Creative writing
Not all universities offer this specialization, but creative writing or other creativity-focused modules are a popular choice amongst undergraduates. This path of study will allow you to continue to analyze and read literature but with the eye of a practiced writer; be that poetry, plays, short stories or novels. The assignments will likely be creative tasks combined with analytical reports of your own work in relation to what you have been reading and researching. Students specializing in creative writing often go on to develop these skills further by studying creative writing at graduate level.
Linguistics
Although linguistics is also offered as a dedicated degree subject , an English degree also offer some linguistics modules. This will involve a deeper look into the way language works and its origins, within a more scientific framework than that commonly used in an English language and literature degree. Linguistics is also multidisciplinary and often calls upon the social sciences, allowing students to study language within the contexts of sociology and psychology. In some cases, students may also have the chance to study original or translated texts in other languages.
Postcolonial literature
The study of postcolonial literature means focusing in on issues of particular relevance to postcolonial writing, such as the construction of national narratives through history, identity and gender, diaspora, and the various debates surrounding postcolonial discourse in academia. Students will get to read a range of important postcolonial literary texts, and to explore postcolonial narratives and interpretations of contemporary culture.
Other English topics and specializations
As well as the above, other English degree specializations can include; 19 th century literature, 20 th century literature, contemporary literature, medieval literature, Caribbean literature, American literature, Shakespeare, modernism, feminism, playwriting and poetry.
All of these topics can be studied to an even greater level of specialization, leading to niche course titles such as Victorian Aestheticism and Decadence (Kent University, UK), Narratives of Magic and Witchcraft (Queen Mary University of London, UK), Literature and the Mind (University of California, Santa Barbara, US) and Jane Austen: Then and Now (University of Sydney, Australia).
Careers with an English degree
As with other arts and humanities subjects, graduates with an English degree go on to pursue careers in a diverse range of roles and sectors. Often English graduates will choose to utilize their strong communication skills, along with their detailed knowledge of the written word. Popular career options for graduates with an English degree include:
Journalism and media careers
Within this wide-ranging and fast-changing industry, journalism and media career opportunities are extremely varied. English graduates are able to use their skills to work within editorial or production within print, online or broadcast media. Editorial roles require a strong attention to detail and good editing skills, while production requires a good eye for design and organization along with great communication skills.
Becoming a journalist is a highly sought-after and competitive career path, and those wishing to pursue a journalism career often invest in further study (such as a Masters in Journalism). With or without postgraduate study, those pursuing the journalism career path should make sure to build a strong portfolio before graduation, either through personal writing, paid work, or substantial contributions to university publications.
Teaching careers
Teaching careers are consistently open to English graduates due to the constant need for teachers around the world, and the high priority given to the subject at primary and secondary levels. However, this usually requires further study in order to gain a teaching qualification.
In the US, although some states require a specific graduate license teach, those who have graduated from a bachelor’s degree fit the minimum requirements so long as practical field experience, such as student teaching, has been undertaken. In countries such as the UK, you’ll need to take a PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate of Education) after your bachelor’s degree. When applying for teaching courses and placements, it will help if you have gained experience of working with children, adolescents or adult learners.
Marketing, advertising and PR careers
As an English degree graduate, you’ll have gained the great communication skills required for marketing, advertising and PR careers . Roles in each of these sectors involve working closely with people, both colleagues and clients, with a strong focus on your target audience. Once you gain some experience in the industry, you’ll have the opportunity to take on account management responsibilities, becoming an expert in how to market a particular product (which could be a sellable item, an individual person, a service or an organization).
Publishing careers
Publishing careers are again wide and varied, spanning book publishing, online publishing, scientific and medical journals, business to business (B2B) and commercial magazine publishing. Within these, common roles for English graduates include writing, researching, editing, sub-editing and copy proofing. A good first step within publishing would be an editorial or production assistant role, which typically involves both daily admin as well as editing and proof reading.
Civil service careers
Again your communication skills and attention to detail will come in handy for civil service careers . These roles are diverse but often will task you with researching and analyzing policy options, drafting material to be used as the basis for new legislation, liaising with external organizations, supporting ministers in government work and helping to manage their departments.
Other careers for English graduates
Other careers you may consider with an English degree include retail management (experience needed), politics, law or law enforcement (further qualifications needed), finance (as long as you have proven numeracy skills), sales, recruitment, library and museum work, academia (further study often required), and even teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) somewhere far away from home.
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Common skills gained from an English degree include:
- Ability to critique and analyze a broad range of materials
- Ability to communicate ideas and theories
- Awareness of different theoretical schools and approaches to literary criticism
- Leading and participating in discussions
- Ability to work within a team to develop and present ideas
- Excellent written communication skills
- Correct use of academic citations and referencing
- Ability to develop independent understanding of texts, concepts and theories
- Academic research skills
- Ability to work to independently
- Time management and organization skills
- Creative skills
- Essay planning and writing skills
- Basic IT skills
- Knowledge of how language and literature has evolved and trends that have emerged through time

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5 reasons to study English Literature
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Studying for an English Literature degree allows you to develop a thorough knowledge of literary history, theory, and criticism, and enhances your understanding of a wide range of cultures and intellectual traditions. However, it also helps you to develop transferable skills that are highly sought by a wide range of employers.
LJMU’s English Literature degree is designed and taught by scholars who are committed to developing your subject-specific knowledge as well as your wider skills and job prospects.
Roger Williamson came to LJMU as a mature student:
“I chose to study English Literature at LJMU for the variety of texts offered on the course. When I compared similar courses offered by other universities, LJMU’s English Literature degree promised a healthy number of non-canonical texts to supplement the accepted classics. Personally, I have found the lectures and seminars intellectually stimulating and my tutors, broad-minded.”
Here are five big reasons why you should choose to study English Literature at university and for choosing LJMU in particular:
1. It teaches you to think critically about complex topics from different perspectives
This is a skill that we pay particular attention to at LJMU. For example, in your first year you’ll learn how to consider literary texts from a number of different theoretical perspectives.
2. It broadens your horizons
At LJMU our definition of ‘literature’ is particularly broad. Texts that we teach include literary classics such as Paradise Lost and Shakespeare’s plays, but they also include, for example, working-class writing, slave narratives, protest literature and prison testimonies. As well as teaching modules that focus on particular periods and genres, we also teach modules that focus on, for example, madness, masculinity, adolescence, place and belonging, terrorism, race in America and the crisis of contemporary capitalism.
3. It enables you to develop transferable skills
Our teaching and assessment methods help you to develop the skills that employers are looking for. Of course, writing essays allows you to develop skills such as carrying out research, developing persuasive arguments and writing in a coherent, articulate way, all of which are important to employers. However, on an English Literature degree at LJMU you’ll do a lot more than write essays. For example, in your first year you’ll help to lead part of a seminar – in a small group, you’ll plan and lead discussions and activities, which is another crucial skill for employers. Other assessments include annotated bibliographies (which help you to develop skills such as report-writing and summarising complex information in a concise way), group presentations (which help you to develop your presentation skills and your ability to work in a team), and close readings of short passages (which help you to develop your ability to analyse details). Some modules also develop your digital skills by giving you the opportunity to engage in collaborative blogging and make contributions to online archives.
4. It provides exciting placement and travel opportunities
Students who take our English Work Experience module take up placements in, for example, teaching, international development, charities, tourism, the media, creative industries and heritage. Our students also have opportunities to study and work abroad through, for example, our Working in the USA module and the Erasmus+ scheme.
5. You'll be learning with the best
Our course is ranked as one of the top English Literature degrees in the UK in the National Student Survey (NSS) – with an average 92% student satisfaction over the last five years.

Literature students take a field trip to St Michael and All Angels' Church in Haworth, the final resting place of the Brontë sisters.
Beti Thomas chose to study English Literature at LJMU:
“Language, and how we use it, has always been something that has fascinated me. This was obvious in school as this is something I excelled in (maths was definitely not my forte). With this in mind, I knew I wanted to proceed in doing an undergraduate degree in English, but why did I choose LJMU? I had plans to visit other universities, but as soon as I came to an LJMU Open Day , I stopped looking. This was the university for me. I loved the fact that LJMU is a city-based campus, which enabled someone like me, who is relatively independent to get a taste of student life as well as feeling integrated in the Liverpool community. The English Literature degree at LJMU is different from any other I had looked at. The creativity and freedom within the modules is refreshing, as they have enabled me to play to my strengths and interests in other areas also, such as history and politics.”
Learn more about the BA English Literature degree and the range of option modules available.
Find out what lecturers from the English department had to say about the books that LJMU students voted as their favourite.
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SEL Studies in English Literature 1500-1900
Logan D. Browning
Journal Details
Manuscripts submitted to SEL Studies in English Literature 1500–1900 should be submitted online at: http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/sel
The editorial office, editors, and specialist reviewers will use the system for communication about submissions, reports, revisions, and decisions. The online process allows us to track submission and review processes more efficiently and to streamline workflow.
Please log on the Manuscript Central website. If you are a new user, you will first need to create an account to log onto the site. After logging on, use the Author Center to guide you through the steps to upload your manuscript and any additional files. For questions and a user guide, please click the “Get Help Now” button at the top right of every screen. Additional help is available through the Manuscript Central customer support team at 1-434-964-4100 or 1-888-503-1050.
In situations where electronic submission is difficult or unavailable, the editors will accept submissions via regular mail. Please contact the SEL office at 713-348-4697 or [email protected] for specific guidelines.
Submission Guidelines
SEL invites historical and critical essays of moderate length (ca. 7,000 words not to exceed 8,000 words including endnotes) that contribute significantly to the understanding of English literature, 1500–1900. Typescripts should be double-spaced throughout, including inset quotations and endnotes, and should be prepared in conformity with The Chicago Manual of Style. 17th Edition . We prefer Times New Roman 12 pt. font.
We will not consider articles being simultaneously submitted elsewhere, nor will we print essays to appear in a book published within a year of scheduled publication by SEL . We encourage authors to submit a short cover letter and an abstract of 100 words or fewer with the article in the Manuscript Central system. The Author Center will prompt you to upload files for a cover letter, an abstract, or image files.
Receipt of manuscripts will be acknowledged by email. Editorial decisions often take a minimum of four months.
SEL only reviews books in a commissioned omnibus review that concludes each of our issues. We do not assign individual reviews.
For additional information, please feel to contact:
Leslie Marie Aguilar Managing Editor SEL Studies in English Literature 1500–1900 Rice University MS-46 407 Fondren Library 6100 Main Street Houston, TX 77005 Tel: (713) 348-4697 | Fax: (713) 348-6245 www.sel.rice.edu
The Hopkins Press Journals Ethics and Malpractice Statement can be found at the ethics-and-malpractice page.
Peer Review Policy
SEL Studies in English Literature 1500–1900 invites historical and critical essays of moderate length (ca. 7,000 words not to exceed 8,000 words including endnotes) that contribute significantly to the understanding of English literature, 1500–1900. Submissions should be double spaced throughout, including inset quotations and endnotes, and should be prepared in conformity with the Chicago Manual of Style , 17th edition. We will not consider articles being simultaneously submitted elsewhere, nor will we print essays to appear in a book published within a year of scheduled publication by SEL .
All manuscripts submitted to SEL should be submitted online at: https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/sel . The editorial office, editors, and specialist reviewers will use the system for communication about submissions, reports, revisions, and decisions. The online process allows us to track submission and review processes more efficiently and to streamline workflow. Submissions are vetted both in-house and through a blind peer review process. Editorial decisions often take four months. There is no deadline for revisions, which will undergo further review, and articles are accepted on a rolling basis.
For more information, please visit our website at www.sel.rice.edu .
Publisher and Executive Editor
Managing editor.
Leslie Marie Aguilar
Editor Emeritus
Robert L. Patten
Diana Hobby Editorial Fellows
Paul Burch Brooke Clark Nina Elisabeth Cook Chaney Hill Sophia Martinez-Abbud Meredith McCullough Randi McInerney Mraovic Kelly McKisson Rowan Thando Morar Bren Ram Sam Fletcher Stoeltje Els W. Woudstra
Editorial Board
Paula Backscheider, Auburn University Ros Ballaster, Mansfield College, Oxford University Douglas S. Bruster, University of Texas at Austin Patrick Cheney, Pennsylvania State University Peter de Bolla, King's College, Cambridge University Heather Dubrow, Fordham University Katherine Eggert, University of Colorado Boulder Andrew Elfenbein, University of Minnesota Angela Esterhammer, University of Toronto Mary Favret, Johns Hopkins University Frances Ferguson, University of Chicago Kate Flint, University of Southern California Elaine Freedgood, New York University Barbara Fuchs, University of California, Los Angeles Achsah Guibbory, Barnard College Coppélia Kahn, Brown University William J. Kennedy, Cornell University U. C. Knoepflmacher, Emeritus, Princeton University Jonathan Lamb, Vanderbilt University David Loewenstein, Pennsylvania State University Devoney Looser, Arizona State University Julia Reinhard Lupton , University of California-Irvine Thomas H. Luxon, Dartmouth College Peter J. Manning, State University of New York at Stony Brook Leah S. Marcus, Vanderbilt University Jerome J. McGann, University of Virginia Michael McKeon, Rutgers State University of New Jersey Felicity A. Nussbaum, University of California, Los Angele s Daniel O'Quinn, University of Guelph Curtis Perry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Adela Pinch, University of Michigan Anne Lake Prescott, Barnard College Tilottama Rajan, University of Western Ontario Allen Reddick, University of Zurich Debora K. Shuger, University of California, Los Angeles Meredith Skura, Rice University Bruce R. Smith, University of Southern California Patricia M. Spacks, Emerita, University of Virginia Gordon Teskey, Harvard University Valerie J. Traub, University of Michigan Herbert F. Tucker, Univeristy of Virginia Susan Wolfson, Princeton University
Send books for review to: SEL Studies in English Literature 1500-1900 Rice University MS-46 Fondren Library 6100 Main Street Houston TX 77005-1827
Please send book review copies to the address above. Review copies received by the Johns Hopkins University Press office will be discarded.
Abstracting & Indexing Databases
- Arts & Humanities Citation Index
- Current Contents
- Web of Science
- Dietrich's Index Philosophicus
- IBZ - Internationale Bibliographie der Geistes- und Sozialwissenschaftlichen Zeitschriftenliteratur
- Internationale Bibliographie der Rezensionen Geistes- und Sozialwissenschaftlicher Literatur
- Academic Search Alumni Edition, 1/1/1975-12/31/1998
- Academic Search Complete, 1/1/1975-12/31/1998
- Academic Search Elite, 1/1/1975-12/31/1998
- Academic Search Premier, 1/1/1975-12/31/1998
- Academic Search: Main Edition, 1/1/1985-12/31/1998
- Biography Index: Past and Present (H.W. Wilson), vol.25, 1985-vol.49, no.4, 2009
- Book Review Digest Plus (H.W. Wilson), Oct.1983-
- Current Abstracts, 1/1/2000-
- Historical Abstracts (Online), 1/1/1999-
- Humanities Index (Online), 1983/10-
- Humanities International Complete, 1/1/1975-12/31/1998
- Humanities International Index, 1/1/1975-12/31/1998
- Humanities Source, 1/1/1975-12/31/1998
- Humanities Source Ultimate, 1/1/1975-12/31/1998
- International Bibliography of Theatre & Dance with Full Text, 1/1/1999-
- Literary Reference Center, 1/1/1975-12/31/1998
- Literary Reference Center Plus, 1/1/1975-12/31/1998
- Literary Reference Center: Main Edition, 1/1/1984-12/31/1998
- MainFile, 1/1/1985-12/31/1998
- MAS Complete, 1/1/1985-12/31/1998
- MAS High Search: Main Edition, 1/1/1985-12/31/1998
- MAS Ultra - School Edition (Magazine Article Summaries), 1/1/1985-12/31/1998
- MasterFILE Complete, 1/1/1984-12/31/1998
- MasterFILE Elite, 1/1/1985-12/31/1998
- MasterFILE Premier, 1/1/1984-12/31/1998
- MasterFILE: Main Edition, 1/1/1985-12/31/1998
- MLA International Bibliography (Modern Language Association)
- Poetry & Short Story Reference Center, 1/1/1975-12/31/1998
- RILM Abstracts of Music Literature (Repertoire International de Litterature Musicale)
- Russian Academy of Sciences Bibliographies
- Social Sciences Index Retrospective: 1907-1983 (H.W. Wilson), 1965/03-1973/03
- TOC Premier (Table of Contents), 1/1/1995-12/31/1998
- Scopus, 2002-
- Academic ASAP, 01/1987-
- Book Review Index Plus
- Gale Academic OneFile, 01/1987-
- Gale Academic OneFile Select, 01/1987-
- Gale General OneFile, 01/1987-
- Gale in Context: College
- Gale in Context: Elementary
- Gale OneFile: High School Edition, 01/1987-
- InfoTrac Custom, 1/1987-
- Shakespeare Collection, 1/1987-
- Student Resources in Context, 01/1987-
- Gale In Context: Canada, 01/1987-
- Gale in Context: High School
- ArticleFirst, vol.30, no.1, 1990-vol.51, no.4, 2011
- Electronic Collections Online, vol.39, no.1, 1999-vol.51, no.4, 2011
- Periodical Abstracts, v.29, n.1, 1989-v.50, n.2, 2010
- Personal Alert (E-mail)
- Art, Design & Architecture Collection, 01/01/1989-
- Arts & Humanities Database, 01/01/1989-
- Arts Premium Collection, 1/1/1989-
- Linguistics and Language Behavior Abstracts (Online), Selective
- Periodicals Index Online
- Professional ProQuest Central, 01/01/1989-
- ProQuest 5000, 01/01/1989-
- ProQuest Central, 01/01/1989-
- Research Library, 01/01/1989-
Abstracting & Indexing Sources
- Abstracts of English Studies (Ceased) (Print)
- Academic Index (Ceased) (Print)
- MLA Abstracts of Articles in Scholarly Journals (Ceased) (Print)
Source: Ulrichsweb Global Serials Directory.
Published quarterly
Readers include: Scholars and students of English and Renaissance literature
Print circulation: 269
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"SEL, a leading journal in its field, is indispensable reading for those interested in frontier scholarship and criticism on English literature." -J. Hillis Miller Department of English & Comparative Literature University of California, Irvine
"Of the important journals in my field(s)--journals like ELR, ELH, RQ, Representations--I think SEL is the one most committed to soliciting and printing good work by younger scholars at the graduate student and untenured faculty levels." -Harry Berger Jr. Emeritus Professor of Literature University of California
"Since my introduction to SEL as a graduate student I've remained a faithful (and grateful) reader. I know of no critical essays that have been of greater value to me in understanding the trajectory of literary studies than the ones in SEL devoted to a review of recent scholarship." -James Shapiro Professor of English and Comparative Literature Columbia University
". . . one of the few journals I consistently admire--and even read! Over these years of academic trends, it's kept its unique scholarly identity, becoming neither modish nor boring. The review essays alone are sensationally learned and helpful." -Nina Auerbach Department of English University of Pennsylvania
eTOC (Electronic Table of Contents) alerts can be delivered to your inbox when this or any Hopkins Press journal is published via your ProjectMUSE MyMUSE account. Visit the eTOC instructions page for detailed instructions on setting up your MyMUSE account and alerts.
Also of Interest

Robert P. Marzec, Purdue University

Bruce Holsinger, University of Virginia

Adriana Craciun, Boston University

Christopher Keep, Western University

Andrea Bachner, Cornell University

Mária Minich Brewer and Daniel Brewer, University of Minnesota

Dr. Nora Gilbert, University of North Texas

Jeanne-Marie Jackson, Johns Hopkins University

Visit the Editorial Board tab for the full list of Editors.

Adam Ross, The University of the South

Maria Farland, Fordham University and Duncan Faherty, Queens College and The CUNY Graduate Center

David F. Bell, Duke University; Pierre Cassou-Noguès, Université Paris VIII; Paul A. Harris, Loyola Marymount University; Eric Méchoulan, Université de Montréal

Faye Halpern, University of Calgary; Michael T. Clarke, University of Calgary

Richard J. Golsan, Texas A&M University
Hopkins Press Journals


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