Went to college right out of High School in early eighties.

Went back to school college to get my degree in late 90s.

I saw my friend's son's reading list for a college lirerature class last year

You would think it would have changed a bunch in 40 years, but nope. You don't become an English lit professor because you like novelty. I'll bet it's the same syllabus as the one in 1950.

English lit: something by Dickens, Twain, Shakespeare, London, Hemingway and maybe a Bronte sister. All good reads.