University of Washington

Overview

The Bachelor’s degree in Culture, Literature and the Arts at the University of Washington offers a comprehensive exploration of how cultures are influenced by and shape literature and the arts. This program emphasizes strong writing and analytical skills while encouraging critical engagement with various artistic forms, genres, and media.

What you'll study

Core learning areas

• Cultural analysis through literature and language
• Arts and media studies, including film, visual culture, sound, and performance
• Creative writing and workshop-based practice
• Techniques for producing and interpreting art across multiple disciplines

Example course offerings

• Arts in Context
• Literary and Popular Genres
• Creative Writing: Poetry
• Creative Writing: Prose
• Literary and Arts Journal Editorial Board
• Advanced Creative Writing Workshop
• Visual and Media Arts Techniques
• Photography as Art
• Interdisciplinary Art Techniques

How you’ll progress

• Acquire foundational knowledge of cultural production and artistic form.
• Enhance analytical and interpretive skills through reading, discussion, and writing.
• Develop creative and production skills through workshop and techniques-focused courses.
• Apply your learning through editorial, journal, or capstone-style creative or critical projects where available.

Tip: For a detailed semester-by-semester plan, consult the official UW CLA degree requirements and your academic advising worksheet.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to meet certain academic standards, including a satisfactory GPA, which reflects overall performance in previous coursework. Detailed entry requirements can be found on the University of Washington's official admissions page.

Career prospects

Graduates of the Culture, Literature and the Arts program can pursue a variety of career paths in fields such as education, publishing, media, arts administration, and cultural criticism. The analytical and creative skills developed throughout the program prepare students for a dynamic range of opportunities in both the public and private sectors.