Undergraduate Programs

The undergraduate program in English studies involves the English language and its literary expressions - poetic, dramatic, fictional and nonfictional.

The Department of English offers courses in several interrelated subject areas. Its undergraduate emphasis is on analyzing British and American poetry, fiction, drama and nonfictional prose in their cultural contexts. There is parallel course work in literary criticism (applied, historical and theoretical), and studies of the relationship between literature and culture (such as women in literature and ethnic American literature). The department complements its offerings in literary subjects with courses in the English language, ranging from such courses as modern theories of grammar to English for pre-law students. The department also has a strong program in writing, with courses in exposition, creative writing and writing for various professions.

To fulfill diverse student needs, the department offers five programs leading to the B.A. degree. The departmental major in English literature provides familiarity with each of the traditional areas of English studies. The area of emphasis in American literature involves an extensive study of American literary history. The area of emphasis in creative writing combines courses in English and American literature with workshops in the writing of fiction and poetry. The literature and language area of emphasis can prepare students for a broad range of professions; it also specifically prepares secondary school teachers.

For especially well-qualified students, the department has an honors program, and for students majoring in other disciplines, an English minor program which offers three options for specialized study.

The Department of English is large, with over 500 majors and 34 full-time faculty members, four of whom hold named professorships. Yet, to enable full discussion in the classroom, courses for majors and minors are limited to 25 students, and there is individualized guidance outside of class. Instructors give heavy reading assignments and frequent writing assignments, helping students to become disciplined and imaginative readers and writers.

Areas of Emphasis

Students may choose an area of emphasis in English literature, in American literature, in creative writing or a teaching major in literature and language.

English Literature Area of Emphasis

Degree: B.A., English

Required courses, Lower divisionUnits
ENGL 261English Literature to 18004
ENGL 262English Literature since 18004
ENGL 263American Literature4
Required courses, Upper division
Seven courses, including two electives and five courses as follows:
ENGL 430Shakespeare4
one course from:
ENGL 420English Literature of the Middle Ages (1100-1500)4
ENGL 421English Literature of the 16th Century4
ENGL 422English Literature of the 17th Century4
ENGL 423English Literature of the 18th Century (1660-1780)4
ENGL 461English Drama to 18004
ENGL 465The English Novel to 18004
one course from:
ENGL 424English Literature of the Romantic Age (1780-1832)4
ENGL 425English Literature of the Victorian Age (1832-1890)4
ENGL 426Modern English Literature (1890-1945)4
ENGL 462British and American Drama 1800-19504
ENGL 466The 19th Century English Novel4
ENGL 467The Modern Novel4
and two courses from two different categories:
(a)
ENGL 410History and Grammar of Modern English
or from:
ENGL 479History of Literary Criticism, or
ENGL 480Modern Literary Criticism: Theory and Practice, or
ENGL 491Senior Seminar in Literary Studies4
(b)
ENGL 469Women in English Literature before 18004
ENGL 470Women in English and American Literature after 18004
ENGL 476Images of Women in Contemporary Culture4
(c)
ENGL 392Visual and Popular Culture4
ENGL 471Literary Genres and Film4
ENGL 472Literature and Related Arts4
ENGL 473Literature and Society4
ENGL 474Literature, Nationality and Otherness4
ENGL 475Politics and the Novel4
ENGL 478Sexual/Textual Diversity4
ENGL 481Narrative Forms in Literature and Film4

American Literature Area of Emphasis

Degree: B.A., English (American Literature)

Required courses, Lower divisionUnits
ENGL 261English Literature to 18004
ENGL 262English Literature since 18004
ENGL 263American Literature4
Required courses, Upper division
Seven courses, including:
ENGL 440American Literature to 18654
ENGL 441American Literature, 1865-19204
ENGL 442American Literature, 1920 to the Present4
one course from:
ENGL 445The Literatures of America: Cross-cultural Perspectives4
ENGL 446African-American Poetry and Drama4
ENGL 447African-American Narrative4
ENGL 448Chicano and Latino Literature4
ENGL 449Asian-American Literature4
one course from:
ENGL 392Visual and Popular Culture4
ENGL 410History and Grammar of Modern English4
ENGL 469Women in English Literature before 18004
ENGL 470Women in English and American Literature after 18004
ENGL 471Literary Genres and Film4
ENGL 472Literature and Related Arts4
ENGL 473Literature and Society4
ENGL 474Literature, Nationality and Otherness4
ENGL 475Politics and the Novel4
ENGL 476Images of Women in Contemporary Culture4
ENGL 478Sexual/Textual Diversity4
ENGL 479History of Literary Criticism4
ENGL 480Modern Literary Criticism: Theory and Practice4
ENGL 481Narrative Forms in Literature and Film4
ENGL 491Senior Seminar in Literary Studies4

two upper division electives.

Creative Writing Area of Emphasis

Degree: B.A., English (Creative Writing)

Required courses, Lower divisionUnits
ENGL 261English Literature to 18004
ENGL 262English Literature since 18004
ENGL 263American Literature4
Required courses, Upper divisionUnits
Seven courses, including one course from
ENGL 455Contemporary Prose4
ENGL 456Contemporary Poetry4
ENGL 463Contemporary Drama4
four courses from:
ENGL 303Introduction to Fiction Writing4
ENGL 304Introduction to Poetry Writing4
ENGL 405Fiction Writing4, max 8
ENGL 406Poetry Writing4, max 8
ENGL 407Advanced Fiction Writing4, max 8
ENGL 408Advanced Poetry Writing4, max 8

of these, at least one has to be in fiction (303, 405, 407) and one in poetry (304, 406, 408) and it is highly recommended that at least one will be at the advanced level (407, 408) and two electives in literature (from 375, 392, 420, 421, 422, 423, 424, 425, 426, 430, 440, 441, 442, 445, 446, 447, 448, 449, 451, 455, 456, 461, 462, 463, 465, 466, 467, 469, 470, 471, 472, 473, 474, 475, 476, 478, 479, 480, 491, 495).

Literature and Language Area of Emphasis

Degree: B.A., English (Literature and Language)

Required courses, Lower divisionUnits
ENGL 261English Literature to 18004
ENGL 262English Literature since 18004
ENGL 263American Literature4
Required courses, Upper divisionUnits
Eight courses, including:
ENGL 400Advanced Expository Writing2-4
ENGL 445The Literatures of America: Cross-cultural Perspectives4
one course from:
ENGL 440American Literature to 18654
ENGL 441American Literature, 1865 to 19704
ENGL 442American Literature, 1920 to the Present4
one course from:
ENGL 446African-American Poetry and Drama4
ENGL 447African-American Narrative4
ENGL 448Chicano and Latino Literature4
ENGL 449Asian-American Literature4
ENGL 469Women in English Literature before 18004
ENGL 470Women in English and American Literature after 18004
ENGL 476Images of Women in Contemporary Culture4
ENGL 478Sexual/Textual Diversity4
two courses from:
ENGL 401The Rhetoric of Written Composition4
ENGL 409The English Language4
ENGL 410History and Grammar of Modern English4
ENGL 412Analysis of Written Persuasion4
ENGL 480Modern Literary Criticism: Theory and Practice4
ENGL 491Senior Seminar in Literary Studies4
LING 315Language, Society, and Culture4
LING 411Linguistics and Education4

two upper division electives.

Students who complete this area of emphasis and who are interested in becoming secondary school teachers may obtain a California teaching credential by also taking a number of courses in education; see the English and education advisors (as well as the School of Education section in this catalogue) concerning credential requirements.

Double Majors

Double majors with English and another major in the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and in some other schools of the university are strongly encouraged by the department.

English Honors Program

Candidates for the B.A. in the English Department can receive a designation on their transcripts of departmental honors by successfully completing a program of three courses as part of their major: ENGL 395, 495 and a senior honors thesis (ENGL 496*). Admission to the program is granted by the director in the fall semester of a student's junior year and requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 overall and 3.5 in English courses. For additional information, please contact a departmental advisor.

*Students may substitute ENGL 491 for 496.

Department Minor Requirements

The Department of English offers a minor with three options: (1) English and American Literature, including 261, 262 and 263, and four upper division courses (16 units minimum) as follows: one course in English literature (420, 421, 422, 423, 424, 425, 426, 430, 461, 462, 465, or 466), one in American literature (440, 441, or 442), and two upper division electives. (2) Literature and Creative Writing, including 261, 262 and 263, and four upper division courses (16 units minimum) as follows: one course from 455, 456, 463; and three courses from 303, 304, 405, 406, 407 and 408. (3) Literature and Exposition, including 261, 262 and 263, and four upper division courses (16 units minimum) as follows: 400, 401, one upper division elective in literature and one other upper division elective.

 

NEXT SECTION
 

Catalogue ContentsUSC Source BookCampus MapAdmissionUSCweb

USC Monogram

Produced by the USC Division of Student Affairs,
Office of University Publications
univpub@usc.edu