It is both functional and critical. Functional literacy is concerned with controlling and expressing ideas in ways that are understood and acceptable to others. Critical literacy involves understanding and appreciating the variety of styles in which language has been used in the past, and how it may effectively be used now and for the future. In its finest expression, the craft of language becomes the art of literature. The literature of peoples is inextricably tied up with patterns of their collective human culture and consciousness.
Literature describes human situations, tells stories and enshrines myths.
It can become the means of identifying and expressing the innermost desires and aspirations of the human heart. The study of literature written in English has a significant place within a Catholic university such as Notre Dame Australia, because it provides avenues for understanding the complex patterns of the human search for Truth. Alternatively they may take single units of Literature, whilst at the same time specialising in other areas. Undertaking the study of English Literature is also an excellent way of improving general literacy, including skills in reading, writing and oral expression. Literature units may be studied as part of other degree programs, again, as a major, a minor or on an individual unit basis.