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English at UC Merced

The UC Merced Literatures in English Program (formerly just called "English") teaches students the story of how stories are made, how they make a difference in the world, and how they form the foundation of knowledge itself.

Stories allow the marginalized to be heard by the powerful: they help humans understand each other’s past and present, and they help us imagine different futures.

At UC Merced, English majors take 24-person seminars throughout their time on campus. Our small class sizes, supportive professors, and brilliant, kind students make our program one of the most nurturing on campus, and in the UC system. There's a reason our Literatures in English majors talk about our program as a "family"! (Hear from two of them in this recent panel about our program).

The skills of critical thinking, interpretation, and writing that are developed in English classes are valued by multiple professions, including law, education, medicine, business, technology,  journalism, politics, and social work.

The Literatues in English program now offers two optional emphasis tracks within the major: one in Literature and Social Justice, and another in Literature and the Environment.

Click to learn more about our programs! 

Students, prospective students, and alumni: follow us on Instagram @ucmercedenglish

Literatures in English Majors Take Part in Shakespeare in Yosemite
English majors and recent graduates star in this year's production of A Midsummer Yosemite's Dream (April 25-28), and work behind the scenes
English majors write and produce original play about environmental justice
Fire, Water, Poison, Hope: California in 2023 presented for free December 9-10
Professor Mai-Linh Hong Wins Prestigious Fellowship
ACLS fellowship will allow her to spend a year researching refugee stories
Congratulations, class of 2023!
We are proud of the 23 students graduating with English majors in spring and summer 2023!
English program launches tracks in Lit & Social Justice and Lit & Environment
Career-focused tracks will be available beginning in Fall 2023 to all students.

Upcoming Events

Apr
25
Shakespeare in Yosemite announces its 7th production: A Midsummer Yosemite's Dream! Performed at 6:00 on April 25th, 2024 on the...
Apr
22

University Main Campus

Join us for a free Arts & the Environment panel featuring Elizabeth Freestone, author of 100 Plays to Save the World, and a British theatre...
Mar
21

Zoom

Javier Zamora was born in La Herradura, El Salvador in 1990. When he was a year old, his father fled El Salvador due to the US-funded Salvadoran...
Dec
09
Original play by UC Merced students as part of the Fall 2023 Theatre and Ecology class, based on interviews of people on the frontlines of...
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Featured News

December 6, 2023
Public Invited to Environmental Humanities Play that Examines Vital Ecological Issues
May 15, 2023
The UC Merced English faculty congratulate the class of 2023 on their successful graduation from UC Merced--we will miss you!
October 12, 2022
Career-oriented tracks focus coursework on the most pressing contemporary issues.