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 division		Units
ENGL 261	English Literature to 1800	4
ENGL 262	English Literature since 1800	4
ENGL 263	American Literature	4
Required courses, Upper division
Seven courses, including two electives and five courses as follows:
ENGL 430	Shakespeare	4
one course from:
ENGL 420	English Literature of the Middle Ages (1100-1500)	4
ENGL 421	English Literature of the 16th Century	4
ENGL 422	English Literature of the 17th Century	4
ENGL 423	English Literature of the 18th Century (1660-1780)	4
ENGL 461	English Drama to 1800	4
ENGL 465	The English Novel to 1800	4
one course from:
ENGL 424	English Literature of the Romantic Age (1780-1832)	4
ENGL 425	English Literature of the Victorian Age (1832-1890)	4
ENGL 426	Modern English Literature (1890-1945)	4
ENGL 462	British and American Drama 1800-1950	4
ENGL 466	The 19th Century English Novel	4
ENGL 467	The Modern Novel	4
and two courses from two different categories:
(a)
ENGL 410	History and Grammar of Modern English
or from:
ENGL 479	History of Literary Criticism, or
ENGL 480	Modern Literary Criticism: Theory and Practice, or
ENGL 491	Senior Seminar in Literary Studies	4
(b)
ENGL 469	Women in English Literature before 1800	4
ENGL 470	Women in English and American Literature after 1800	4
ENGL 476	Images of Women in Contemporary Culture	4
(c)
ENGL 392	Visual and Popular Culture	4
ENGL 471	Literary Genres and Film	4
ENGL 472	Literature and Related Arts	4
ENGL 473	Literature and Society	4
ENGL 474	Literature, Nationality and Otherness	4
ENGL 475	Politics and the Novel	4
ENGL 478	Sexual/Textual Diversity	4
ENGL 481	Narrative Forms in Literature and Film	4

American Literature Area of Emphasis

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

Required courses, Lower division		Units
ENGL 261	English Literature to 1800	4
ENGL 262	English Literature since 1800	4
ENGL 263	American Literature	4
Required courses, Upper division
Seven courses, including:
ENGL 440	American Literature to 1865	4
ENGL 441	American Literature, 1865-1920	4
ENGL 442	American Literature, 1920 to the Present	4
one course from:
ENGL 445	The Literatures of America: Cross-cultural Perspectives	4
ENGL 446	African-American Poetry and Drama	4
ENGL 447	African-American Narrative	4
ENGL 448	Chicano and Latino Literature	4
ENGL 449	Asian-American Literature	4
one course from:
ENGL 392	Visual and Popular Culture	4
ENGL 410	History and Grammar of Modern English	4
ENGL 469	Women in English Literature before 1800	4
ENGL 470	Women in English and American Literature after 1800	4
ENGL 471	Literary Genres and Film	4
ENGL 472	Literature and Related Arts	4
ENGL 473	Literature and Society	4
ENGL 474	Literature, Nationality and Otherness	4
ENGL 475	Politics and the Novel	4
ENGL 476	Images of Women in Contemporary Culture	4
ENGL 478	Sexual/Textual Diversity	4
ENGL 479	History of Literary Criticism	4
ENGL 480	Modern Literary Criticism: Theory and Practice	4
ENGL 481	Narrative Forms in Literature and Film	4
ENGL 491	Senior Seminar in Literary Studies	4

two upper division electives.

Creative Writing Area of Emphasis

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

Required courses, Lower division		Units
ENGL 261	English Literature to 1800	4
ENGL 262	English Literature since 1800	4
ENGL 263	American Literature	4
Required courses, Upper division		Units
Seven courses, including one course from
ENGL 455	Contemporary Prose	4
ENGL 456	Contemporary Poetry	4
ENGL 463	Contemporary Drama	4
four courses from:
ENGL 303	Introduction to Fiction Writing	4
ENGL 304	Introduction to Poetry Writing	4
ENGL 405	Fiction Writing	4, max 8
ENGL 406	Poetry Writing	4, max 8
ENGL 407	Advanced Fiction Writing	4, max 8
ENGL 408	Advanced Poetry Writing	4, 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 division		Units
ENGL 261	English Literature to 1800	4
ENGL 262	English Literature since 1800	4
ENGL 263	American Literature	4
Required courses, Upper division		Units
Eight courses, including:
ENGL 400	Advanced Expository Writing	2-4
ENGL 445	The Literatures of America: Cross-cultural Perspectives	4
one course from:
ENGL 440	American Literature to 1865	4
ENGL 441	American Literature, 1865 to 1970	4
ENGL 442	American Literature, 1920 to the Present	4
one course from:
ENGL 446	African-American Poetry and Drama	4
ENGL 447	African-American Narrative	4
ENGL 448	Chicano and Latino Literature	4
ENGL 449	Asian-American Literature	4
ENGL 469	Women in English Literature before 1800	4
ENGL 470	Women in English and American Literature after 1800	4
ENGL 476	Images of Women in Contemporary Culture	4
ENGL 478	Sexual/Textual Diversity	4
two courses from:
ENGL 401	The Rhetoric of Written Composition	4
ENGL 409	The English Language	4
ENGL 410	History and Grammar of Modern English	4
ENGL 412	Analysis of Written Persuasion	4
ENGL 480	Modern Literary Criticism: Theory and Practice	4
ENGL 491	Senior Seminar in Literary Studies	4
LING 315	Language, Society, and Culture	4
LING 411	Linguistics and Education	4

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.

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