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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

Dr. Felicia Lopez: ABC News Interview & Library of Congress Talk on Mesoamerican Studies
Dr. Felicia Lopez was interviewed on a local San Diego ABC news program for Hispanic Heritage Month. Here, she talks about her research on the Mesoamerican figure Mayahuel and her embodiment as the...
Bobcat Comics Features Scholarship of Three Literature Professors
Drs. Lopez, Hong, and Brokaw's work is available in free, accessible comics
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
Literatures in English program launches tracks in Lit & Social Justice and Lit & Environment
Career-focused tracks allow students to specialize in today's most pressing issues.

Upcoming Events

Nov
18

University Main Campus

Join Taylor Brorby, environmental activist and author of Boys and Oil: Growing up Gay in Fractured Land for this talk about the...
Sep
30

University Main Campus

Please join us for an author talk featuring Dr. Katherine Steele Brokaw.  This talk will discuss Dr. Brokaw’s recent book, ...
Sep
25

University Main Campus

With David Toh Kusi, Visiting Associate Professor of English, UC Merced Wednesday, September 25, 2024 Starts at 12:30 PM Location...
Apr
25
Shakespeare in Yosemite announces its 7th production: A Midsummer Yosemite's Dream! Performed at 6:00 on April 25th, 2024 on the...
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Featured News

October 3, 2024

Dr. Felicia Lopez was interviewed on a local San Diego ABC news program for Hispanic Heritage Month. Here, she talks about her research on the Mesoamerican figure Mayahuel and her embodiment as the...

September 17, 2024
UC Merced Center for the Humanities' Bobcat Comics series features comic versions of the scholarship of Dr. Felicia Lopez, Dr. Mai-Linh Hong, and Dr. Katherine Steele Brokaw.
December 6, 2023
Public Invited to Environmental Humanities Play that Examines Vital Ecological Issues