Mar 28, 2024  
2016-2017 CSU East Bay Catalog 
    
2016-2017 CSU East Bay Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

English, Interdisciplinary Language, Literature, and Writing Studies Option, B.A.


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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:

  1. analyze and interpret various kinds of texts;
  2. express their understandings and interpretations in clear and cogent prose;
  3. discuss at least one theoretical perspective about language and/or literature
  4. demonstrate knowledge of key English language texts in their options: Literature, Creative Writing, Language and Discourse, and Interdisciplinary Language, Literature, and Writing Studies;
  5. 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:

Core Curriculum (40 units)


Foreign 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:

Interdisciplinary Language, Literature, and Writing Studies Option (32 units)


In formal consultation with two professors: one from the English Department; and, one from a department other than English - and with the approval of the Chair of the English department, students may propose a program of 32 upper-division units in literature, language, rhetoric, or writing drawn from various departments in the university. At least 16 of these units must be in English.

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 in the Undergraduate Admission and Degree Information & FAQ  chapter in the front of 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.

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