English, Literature Option, B.A.

English (B.A.) 180 units

Program Description

Contrary to popular opinion, most students who major in English do not become public school teachers, although many do choose a career in teaching. Rather, English majors go into all areas of business and government and wherever else the ability to read and write the English language effectively leads to opportunities for advancement and success. The English major is a widely recognized and respected preparation for graduate degrees in law, medicine, social services, and business. It also provides an excellent foundation for free-lance and broadcast journalism. The academic backgrounds of management personnel in private and public organizations attest to how appropriate the English major is for those who pursue careers in management and administration.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with a B.A. in English from Cal State East Bay will be able to:

analyze and interpret various kinds of texts;
express their understandings and interpretations in clear and cogent prose;
discuss at least one theoretical perspective about language and/or literature
demonstrate knowledge of key English language texts in their options: Literature, Creative Writing, Language and Discourse, and Interdisciplinary Language, Literature, and Writing Studies;
demonstrate facility with conducting research in traditional/nontraditional ways, including library research, the Internet, and data collection and analysis.

Career Opportunities

Advertising Copy Writer
Author/Critic
Bookstore Manager
Continuity Editor
Corporate Communications Director
Foreign Service Officer
Freelance Journalist/Writer
Greeting Card Editor/Writer
Lawyer
Librarian
Media Specialist
Newspaper Reporter
Public Information Officer
Publication Editor
Publicity Director
Publishing Agent
Radio/TV Agent
Script Writer
Teacher/Professor
Technical Writer

Preparation

For Advanced Placement course equivalencies, see Registration.

Major Requirements (B.A.) 72-84 units

Please consult an advisor in your major department for clarification and interpretation of your major requirements. The B.A. degree requires a total of 180 units.

The core major consists of 40-52 units;
- the Creative Writing Option consists of 32 units;
- the Interdisciplinary Language, Literature, and Writing Studies Option consists of 32 units.
- the Language and Discourse Option consists of 32 units;
- the Literature Option consists of 32 units.
GE/USHG/UWS consists of 84 units (some courses may double-count units - see your advisor).
Free Electives (if any) will make up the remainder units to reach 180 minimum total units (see your advisor).

Prerequisites

Though not listed as core requirements in the major, the following courses are prerequisites for core classes and campus graduation requirements:

ENGL 1001 - College Writing I Units: 4
ENGL 1002 - College Writing II Units: 4

Core Curriculum (40 units)

Introductory Courses

Choose two of the following three courses for 8 units:
ENGL 2030 - Introduction to Critical Writing on Prose Fiction Units: 4
ENGL 2040 - Introduction to Critical Writing on Poetry Units: 4
ENGL 2050 - Introduction to Critical Writing on Drama Units: 4
Upper Division Courses

And all of the following:
ENGL 3010 - Modern English Grammar Units: 4
ENGL 3020 - Advanced Expository Writing Units: 4
ENGL 3080 - Introduction to Critical Theory of Literature Units: 4
ENGL 4251 - Shakespeare Units: 4
ENGL 4890 - Senior Seminar in English Units: 4
ONE upper division English course in British or American literature before 1900 Units: 4
ONE upper division English course in Ethnic-American or Global literatures after 1900 Units: 4
ONE English lower- or upper-division Elective (excluding ENGL 1001 , 1002 , 3000 , 3001 , 3003 ) Units: 4

Foreigh Language Requirement (0-12 units)

Majors must complete, with grades of C-/CR or better, one year of a college-level foreign language or must pass a translation test administered by the English Department.

Option Requirements

The Department of English offers several options for degree candidates. Majors must choose one of the following options:

Literature Option (32 units)

Required courses to fullfill the option:

ENGL 4151 - Introduction to Chaucer Units: 4
or
ENGL 4260 - Milton Units: 4
THREE upper-division English courses in literature of the 18th and/or 19th centuries (at least one British and at least one American) Units: 12
TWO upper-division English courses in literature of the 20th and/or 21st centuries Units: 8
ONE upper-division English course in Women’s or Gay and Lesbian literature Units: 4
ONE upper-division course in Global literatures Units: 4

Course Descriptions

Use this link to see all Course Descriptions available throughout this catalog.

Other Undergraduate Degree Requirements

In addition to major requirements, every student must also complete the University requirements for graduation which are described throughout this catalog. These include the General Education-Breadth requirements; the second composition (ENGL 1002 ) requirement; the cultural groups/women requirement; the performing arts/activities requirement; the U.S. history, U.S. Constitution, and California state and local government requirement; the University Writing Skills Requirement; and the residence, unit, and grade point average requirements.