English, B.A.: English Language and Literacies Concentration

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English, B.A. Program (120 units)

Program Description

The university offers the B.A. degree in English with three distinct concentrations: literature, creative writing, and English language and literacies. The student seeking a degree must observe the general university requirements stated elsewhere in this catalog as well as the specific departmental requirements stated here.

Program Learning Outcomes

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

analyze and interpret literary genres represented by a range of texts;
write in clear and cogent prose;
demonstrate knowledge of key English language texts, including multicultural works;
use critical theory to examine literary texts;
conduct research relevant to the discipline of English studies and analyze connections among literary works and social issues.

Program Roadmaps

These program roadmaps represent recommended pathways through the program. Please see an advisor to create an education plan that is customized to meet your needs.

4-Year Freshmen Roadmaps

2-Year ADT Roadmaps

Career Opportunities

Advertising Copy Writer • Author/Critic • Bookstore Manager • Continuity Writer • Corporate Communications Director • Foreign Service Office • 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 • Writer

Degree Requirements

The B.A. degree requires a total of 120 units.
- The major consists of 52 units (students must complete with a grade point average of 3.0 or better);
- General Education (GE) & Graduation Requirements (GR) consists of 57 units;
- Free electives may consist of 11 units (actual number of free elective units may depend on GE/GR units).

Note: It may be possible to double count units within the graduation requirement. It may also be possible that a course satisfies both a graduation requirement and a major requirement. Students should contact their program and AACE advisors for information.

English Major Requirements (52 units)

Note: All courses must be completed with grade C- or better to be counted toward the major.

Lower Division Core

The following 12 units are required:

ENGL 204 - Writing About Literature Units: 4 ; Breadth Area: GE-C2
Take one (1) additional lower- or upper-division English major elective course for 4 units.
Choose one (1) course in creative writing for 4 units:
ENGL 205 - Beginning Workshop in Fiction Units: 4 ; Breadth Area: GE-C1
ENGL 206 - Beginning Workshop in Poetry Units: 4 ; Breadth Area: GE-C1

Upper-Division Core

The following 12 units are required:

Choose one (1) course in writing or theory for 4 units:
ENGL 303W - Advanced Expository Writing Units: 4
ENGL 304 - Introduction to Technical and Professional Writing Units: 4
ENGL 307 - Intermediate Workshop in Creative Nonfiction Units: 4
ENGL 340 - Critical Theory of Literature Units: 4
Choose one (1) course in linguistics for 4 units:
ENGL 350 - Study of Language Units: 4
ENGL 351 - Modern English Grammar Units: 4
Choose one (1) course in Shakespeare for 4 units:
ENGL 411 - Early Shakespeare Units: 4 ; Breadth Area: GE-UD-C
ENGL 412 - Late Shakespeare Units: 4 ; Breadth Area: GE-UD-C

Concentrations

The Department of English offers three concentrations for degree candidates. Students must choose one (1) of the following concentrations for 24 units as a major requirement:

Senior Capstone Requirement

The following senior capstone for 4 units is required to complete the major:

ENGL 499 - Senior Seminar Units: 4

English Language and Literacies Concentration

English majors with a concentration in English language and literacies must complete six (6) additional courses for 24 units as described below:

The following 8 units are required:
ENGL 340 - Critical Theory of Literature Units: 4
One (1) foundational course in linguistics, whichever course was not taken in the core curriculum:
ENGL 350 - Study of Language Units: 4
ENGL 351 - Modern English Grammar Units: 4

Linguistics Courses

Two (2) additional linguistics courses for 8 units:

ENGL 355 - Language, Gender, and Social Change Units: 4 ; Breadth Area: GE-UD-D; Social Justice
ENGL 450 - Current Theories in Formal Grammar Units: 4
ENGL 451 - Language in the U.S.A. Units: 4 ; Breadth Area: GE-UD-D; Diversity
ENGL 460 - Seminar in English Education Units: 4
ENGL 497 - Topics in the Study of the English Language Units: 4

Literature Courses

One (1) course for 4 units in children’s literature, young adult literature, or film:

ENGL 345 - Comics and Graphic Novels Units: 4 ; Breadth Area: GE-UD-C
ENGL 447 - Film Criticism Units: 4 ; Breadth Area: GE-UD-C
ENGL 462 - Children’s Literature before 1900 Units: 4
ENGL 463 - Children’s Literature after 1900 Units: 4
Plus, one (1) additional literature elective for 4 units.

Other Undergraduate Degree Requirements

In addition to major requirements, every student must also complete the University’s baccalaureate requirements for graduation, which are described in the Undergrad Baccalaureate & Program Requirements chapter of this catalog.