Languages & Literature Department

The study of language and literature goes beyond words: it's the study of humanity. How we think, how we act, and what drives us: it's all there the language we use to communicate and the stories we tell.

Lincoln University's Languages and Literature Department is devoted to the study of literature and culture from around the world. Studying these topics helps us understand our fellow people and ourselves. It can also help build a range of skills—including communication, critical thinking, reasoning, problem-solving, and empathy— that can help you to stand out in a wide range of careers, including law, business, advertising, writing and editing, international relations, and more.

We offer a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree and a minor in English Liberal Arts. The degree program prepares you for jobs that demand strong skills in critical thinking, written and oral communication, and textual analysis.

Within the English program, we offer two specialized tracks: Pre-Law and Creative Writing. The Creative Writing Track focuses on the study and creation of four major literary fields: fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and screenwriting, building interest in the literary arts while training you for professional positions that demand strong language skills. You can also work for or publish your writing in Simbaa, Lincoln’s literary magazine.

If you plan on attending law school, the Pre-Law track is for you. It offers a writing-intensive, research-focused program, and grants you access to courses within Lincoln's specially designed Pre-Law Undergraduate Scholars (PLUS) program. The track also provides room for a minor in an appropriate secondary field, such as History, Philosophy, or Political Science.

As an English department student, you will also be eligible for entry into Sigma Tau Delta, the International English Honor Society.

In addition to the English degree, we also offer a BA degree and minor in Foreign Languages, where you can choose between French and Spanish, as well as minors in Arabic, Japanese, and Chinese. These immersive language programs can help you become multi-lingual, an extremely valuable skill for many jobs in today's increasingly global society.

You can learn more about our programs and the classes we offer in the current academic year course catalog. All of our courses are taught by our dedicated and scholarly faculty, who will work closely with you and give you the support you need to succeed.

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Contact Us

If you have questions about the study of literature and language at Lincoln University, please let us know!

Languages and Literature Department
Phone: 484-365-8145
Fax: 484-365-8156
University Hall, Third Floor

William Donohue, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Director of First Year Composition, and Chair, Languages and Literature Department
Email: wdonohue@al10669.com
Phone: 484-365-7522
University Hall, Room 307

Diane Smith
Department Assistant, Languages and Literature Department
Email: dsmith@al10669.com
Phone: 484-365-8145
University Hall, Room 323