Sadly, there was a time when being a professor of English literature meant hours of teaching in the classroom, explaining very difficult poetry and prose to immature students. One of my professors is still one of my heroes. She taught me all about the English Romantic poets and their symbolisms and meanings.
Today, kids are taught Toni Morrison novels. It’s why I refuse to go back and get a Masters degree.
During my years in the scribbling profession, I considered going for the Masters program in Journalism but left the industry instead.
Glad I did.
Morrison’s 1970s novels are quite good.
I had a professor like that for world literature and another for German literature, Fortunately, this was before literature professors discovered Jacques Derrida, Michel Foucault, deconstructionism, "critical race theory," etc.