English, Bachelor of Arts College of Letters & Science
The Major Program
The study of English develops skills in reading analytically and perceptively and in writing clearly and effectively. Students major in English by taking courses in a wide variety of media, genres, topics, and historical periods. All students are introduced to the major by completing 20 units spread over courses in writing, any one of many topics courses, and the gateway series to the English major that covers “Literature in English” from the earliest medieval texts to the present. Students then build their own path through the major depending upon their particular interests, eventually completing 44 more units covering different historical periods, methods of theory and criticism, and thematic focuses. After a shared set of courses, students choose to specialize either in Literary Criticism and Theory or Creative Writing. All majors have the opportunity to work with distinguished writers, critics, scholars, and teachers.
English majors learn how to:
- Write clearly and effectively.
- Think creatively and analytically.
- Organize and communicate ideas creatively and efficiently.
- Analyze and critically evaluate language and other forms of representation.
- Understand texts within their historical, political, and cultural contexts.
- Recognize and evaluate various perspectives, through creating or reading fiction, drama, and poetry.
- Evaluate how fictional and non-fictional narratives structure thought and action.
- Read long texts closely, analytically, and efficiently.
- Respond spontaneously with organized, clear statements and ideas.
Career Options
Graduates have found the major excellent pre-professional training for careers in teaching, writing, law, medicine, library work, journalism, and more. Many graduates are employed in publishing, marketing, advertising, or the tech sector. Others have worked in local, state, and federal government agencies, as well as in industry. Many have gone on to graduate study in a wide range of fields including English, education, counseling, and more.
Major Advisors
G. Bloom, S. Boluk, S. Chaganti, Z. Clemmons, J. Clover, L. Corin, G. Dobbins, F. Dolan, K. Frederickson, P. Houston, H. Hsu, M. Jerng, X. Lee, D. Martín, J. Marx, T. Menely, C. Milburn, E. Miller, A. Naffis-Sahely, K. Peterson, M. Ronda, M. Stratton, M. Vernon, C. Waters, T. Werth, R. Zecena, M. Ziser
Major Advising
All new and prospective English majors are encouraged to see an undergraduate staff advisor, individually, once per year, at minimum.
Foreign Languages
Students who contemplate advanced study in English should prepare for foreign language requirements for higher degrees and should consult with the graduate advisor.
Undergraduate Advisor
See English or the Departmental Advising Office in 177/179 Voorhies Hall.
Honors & Honors Program
A Senior Honors Program is available to an invited group of English majors, who prepare and write a Senior Thesis (either a research paper or creative writing) in their final year. The critical honors program consists of 4 units of 194H and 4 units of 195H, normally taken during fall and spring quarters of the senior year. The creative writing honors program consists of 4 units of 100FA or 100PA, normally taken during spring quarter of the junior year, and 4 units of 195H, normally taken winter quarter of the senior year. Completion of the program is a prerequisite for High or Highest Honors at graduation. Eligibility criteria and application materials may be obtained at the Undergraduate Advising office in 177 Voorhies Hall or see English. For more details, see Graduation Honors.
Education Abroad Options
The department strongly encourages interested students to pursue their studies abroad. It is possible for students to complete significant portions of the English major provided that the course is evaluated as at least 4 UC Davis units; the course is considered upper division by the standards set forth by UC Davis Study Abroad; and the student presents copies of the coursework, syllabus, and writing assignments to the department’s advising staff.
Teaching Credential Subject Representative
A major in English qualifies students for subject matter preparation for the teaching credential.
Entry Level Writing
Students must have met the Entry Level Writing Requirement before taking any course in English.
Prerequisites
ENL 003 or UWP 001 is required for admission into all preparatory courses (ENL 040, ENL 041, ENL 043, ENL 044, ENL 045, ENL 010A, ENL 010B, ENL 010C), and all upper division courses, unless otherwise stated in the course listings. COM 001, COM 002, COM 003, or COM 004 or NAS 005 may normally be substituted for ENL 003 or UWP 001.
Coursework
Up to 4 upper division units in a literature class outside of English may count toward the requirements of the major.
The major requirements below are in addition to meeting University Degree Requirements & College Degree Requirements; unless otherwise noted. The minimum number of units required for the English Bachelor of Arts is 64.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Preparatory Subject Matter | ||
| Choose one: | 4 | |
| Introduction to Literature | ||
or ENL 003V | Introduction to Literature | |
| Introduction to Academic Literacies | ||
or UWP 001V | Introduction to Academic Literacies: Online | |
or UWP 001Y | Introduction to Academic Literacies | |
Or equivalent | ||
| ENL 010A | Literatures in English I: To 1700 | 4 |
| ENL 010B | Literatures in English II: 1700-1900 | 4 |
| ENL 010C | Literatures in English III: 1900 to Present | 4 |
| Choose one: | 4 | |
| Introductory Topics in Literature | ||
| Introductory Topics in Literature & Media | ||
| Introductory Topics in Drama | ||
| Introductory Topics in Fiction | ||
| Introductory Topics in Poetry | ||
| Preparatory Subject Matter Subtotal | 20 | |
| Depth Subject Matter | ||
| ENL 110A | Introduction to Literary Theory | 4 |
| or ENL 110B | Introduction to Modern Literary & Critical Theory | |
| Historical Distribution Requirements | ||
| Choose three courses focusing on literature written in English before 1800, at least one of which must be on literature written primarily before 1500: | 12 | |
| Before 1500 | ||
| Topics in Medieval Literature | ||
| Chaucer: Troilus & the "Minor" Poems | ||
| Chaucer: The Canterbury Tales | ||
| 1500-1800 | ||
| Topics in 16th- & 17th-Century Literature | ||
| Shakespeare | ||
| Milton | ||
| 18th-Century British Literature | ||
| Early American Literature | ||
| British Drama to 1800 | ||
| 18th-Century British Novel | ||
| Literature by Women Before 1800 | ||
| Choose one course focusing on literature written in English between 1800 and 1900: | 4 | |
| British Romantic Literature | ||
| 19th-Century British Literature | ||
| 19th-Century American Literature to the Civil War | ||
| Post-Civil War American Literature | ||
| 19th-Century British Novel | ||
| The American Novel to 1900 | ||
| African American Literature to 1900 | ||
| Literature by Women from 1800-1900 | ||
| Choose one course focusing on literature written in English between 1900 and present: | 4 | |
| Topics in Irish Literature | ||
| British Literature, 1900-1945 | ||
| British Literature, 1945 to Present | ||
| American Literature 1900-1945 | ||
| American Literature, 1945 to the Present | ||
| Drama from 1800 to the Present | ||
| The Graphic Novel | ||
| 20th-Century British Novel | ||
| The Short Story | ||
| Detective Fiction | ||
| The American Novel from 1900 to the Present | ||
| Love & Desire in Contemporary American Poetry | ||
| 20th-Century African American Poetry | ||
| 20th-Century American Poetry | ||
| African American Literature 1900-Present | ||
| Literature by Women after 1900 | ||
| Non-Historical Distribution Requirements | ||
| Choose one course on literatures, race, and ethnicity: | 4 | |
| Topics in Global Literatures & Cultures | ||
| Topics in Postcolonial Literatures & Cultures | ||
| Topics in Diasporic Literatures & Migration | ||
| 20th-Century African American Poetry | ||
| Topics in Nations, Regions, & Other Cultural Geographies | ||
| Topics in Comparative Racial & Ethnic Literary Studies | ||
| African American Literature to 1900 | ||
| African American Literature 1900-Present | ||
| Literature of California | ||
| Choose one in-depth topic course in language, media, and literature: | 4 | |
| History of the English Language | ||
| English Grammar | ||
| Freedom of Expression | ||
| Law & Literature | ||
| Film as Narrative | ||
| Film Theory & Criticism | ||
| Writing Science | ||
| The Bible as Literature: The Old Testament | ||
| The Bible as Literature: Prophets & New Testament | ||
| Video Games & Culture | ||
| Science Fiction | ||
| Children's Literature | ||
| Young Adult Literature | ||
| Literature & the Environment | ||
| Literature, Sexuality, & Gender | ||
| Video Games & Culture | ||
| English Grammar | ||
| Video Games & Culture | ||
| Science Fiction | ||
| English Grammar | ||
| Please note that while some courses are identified as fulfilling more than one distribution requirement, a given course can only fulfill one such requirement. | ||
| Area of Emphasis | ||
| Choose at least one: | 12 | |
| Depth Subject Matter Subtotal | 44 | |
| Total Units | 64 | |
Literature, Criticism, & Theory Emphasis
Please note that English ENL 110A or ENL 110B is a prerequisite for advanced study in the major.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| One upper division English elective. | 4 | |
| Choose two advanced courses, one of which can be a seminar: | 8 | |
| Topics in Literature | ||
| Topics in Drama | ||
| Topics in the Novel | ||
| Literary Study in the British Isles | ||
| Topics in Poetry | ||
| Study of an Individual Author | ||
| Topics in Literature & Media | ||
| Topics in Literary & Critical Theory | ||
| Seminar in Literary Studies | ||
| Seminar for Honors Students | ||
| Honors Thesis | ||
| Total Units | 12 | |
Creative Writing Emphasis
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Please note that students must select courses in more than one genre. | ||
| Three sections of: | 12 | |
| Creative Writing: Fiction | ||
| Creative Writing: Poetry | ||
| Creative Writing: Non-Fiction | ||
| Creative Writing Advanced Fiction | ||
| Creative Writing Advanced Poetry | ||
| Total Units | 12 | |