History, Literature, and the Arts

About this Department

The History, Literature, and the Arts Department encourages exploration of the past, the written word, and the creative expressions that converge to shape our understanding of the world. We support you to think beyond your own experience and recognize how your ideas and actions shape the world in which we live.

Our graduates embark on diverse career paths that value critical thinking, research skills, and an appreciation for culture and the arts. They find success in academia, publishing, journalism, museum curation, arts administration, and more.

In a vibrant community where ideas are exchanged and originality thrives, celebrate the richness of creativity, unravel the intricacies of our past, and discover a vibrant future shaped by knowledge, imagination, and the power of storytelling.

Department Chair

aday@bryant.edu

Amber Day

Majors:

Arts and Creative Industries History Literary and Cultural Studies

Minors:

Arts and Creative Industries History Literary and Cultural Studies Literature Media and Cultural Studies

Engage with Faculty Experts

Embark on your academic journey with the guidance of engaging faculty scholars, accomplished writers, and seasoned artists. You may focus studies on an intriguing aspect of cultural analysis; unravel history through archival research in world-renowned library special collections; or even develop a portfolio of creative production, including critical and creative writing, video, performance, and photography.

Experiential Learning Opportunities

Our department offers a vibrant learning environment beyond the classroom. Contribute as a writer or an editor to the Bryant Literary Review, an acclaimed international journal of poetry and fiction. Present creative and critical work through theater, special events, and Pop-Up Gallery Nights. Or engage with working artists through workshops and lectures in a senior practicum course.

The cover of the Bryant Literary Review on a purple background.

Research and Engagement Day

You have access to world-renowned libraries, archival resources, and digital databases that facilitate research and scholarly collaborations. Many of our students participate in Research and Engagement Day, a Bryant showcase that highlights student and faculty research collaboration, creativity and innovative academic accomplishments.

Inspiring Faculty

Our faculty includes accomplished authors, artists, and researchers as well as two Fulbright Scholars. These award-winning educators and mentors specialize in areas as diverse as political satire, women's studies, African popular culture, Asian American literature, comics and graphic narratives, philosophy, and visual art. Among them is:

Amber Day, Ph.D.

Professor of English and Cultural Studies
Department Chair

Bryant Professor Amber Day outside the Art Barn.

Faculty Listing

Student Profiles

Olivia Soffey ’26

“Business isn’t something that came naturally to me because I really am an artist at heart, but I’ve learned a lot about marketing and putting yourself out there. That’s a huge part of being successful in the publishing industry. … There are so many professors who’ve been supportive of my journey.”

Katelyn Howerton ’25

“While business is a large part of Bryant and its reputation, the university is doing a lot to expand the College of Arts and Sciences. The arts side of Bryant has great faculty and interesting events, and I’m looking forward to being a part of its continued evolution.”

Kayla Batalha ’22

“The literary and cultural studies program taught me to approach the world through a critical lens. They are so incredibly empathetic and welcoming. You aren’t just learning the material, but you’re learning their perspective, their experiences, and they’re learning from yours.”