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 majoring in English take courses in a wide variety of media, genres, topics, and historical periods. All students are introduced to the major by completing 19-20 units spread over courses in writing, a gateway survey of early English literature, two topics courses, and a lower-division elective. Students then build their own path through the major depending upon their particular interests, eventually completing 39-40 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
A. Banful, G. Bloom, S. Boluk, A. Camoglu, S. Chaganti, Z. Clemmons, L. Corin, G. Dobbins, I. Forbes-Macphail, K. Frederickson, P. Houston, H. Hsu, M. Jerng, X. Lee, D. Martín, T. Menely, C. Milburn, E. Miller, M. Montoya, A. Naffis-Sahely, S. Nicolazzo, C. Ok, 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 Academic Advisor or Peer 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 Academic Advisor in 171 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 ENL 194H and 4 units of ENL 195H, normally taken during winter and spring quarters of the senior year. The creative writing honors program consists of 4 units of ENL 100FA or ENL 100PA, normally taken during winter or spring quarter of the junior year, and 4 units of ENL 195H, normally taken winter quarter of the senior year. Completion of the program is a prerequisite for High or Highest Honors at graduation.
For eligibility criteria and application materials, see Honors Program.
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 meet the Entry Level Writing Requirement before taking any course in English.
Prerequisites
ENL 003 or UWP 001,or the equivalent, is required for admission into all preparatory courses 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 58.
| 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 |
| Choose two: | 8 | |
| Introductory Topics in Literature | ||
| Introductory Topics in Literature & Media | ||
| Approaches to Reading | ||
| Introductory Topics in Drama | ||
| Introductory Topics in Fiction | ||
| Introductory Topics in Poetry | ||
| Choose one: | 3-4 | |
| Topics in Creative Writing | ||
| Careers in English | ||
| Hot Bars, Supreme Lyrics, & Rhymes for Days: Hip Hop as Poetry | ||
| Pop Culture Shakespeare | ||
| Youth in Revolt | ||
| Literature, Health, & Medicine | ||
| Literary Animals | ||
| Speculative Fictions | ||
| Literatures of Climate Change | ||
| Racial Imaginaries | ||
| Introduction to Games | ||
| Preparatory Subject Matter Subtotal | 19-20 | |
| Depth Subject Matter | ||
| ENL 110A | Introduction to Literary Theory | 4 |
| or ENL 110B | Introduction to Modern Literary & Critical Theory | |
| Distribution Requirements | ||
| Choose one course focusing on literature in English before 1700: | 4 | |
| History of the English Language | ||
| Topics in Medieval Literature | ||
| Chaucer: Troilus & the "Minor" Poems | ||
| Chaucer: The Canterbury Tales | ||
| Topics in 16th- & 17th-Century Literature | ||
| Shakespeare | ||
| Milton | ||
| British Drama to 1800 | ||
| Choose one course focusing on literature in English between 1700 and 1945: | 4 | |
| 18th-Century British Literature | ||
| Topics in Irish Literature | ||
| British Romantic Literature | ||
| 19th-Century British Literature | ||
| British Literature, 1900-1945 | ||
| Early American Literature | ||
| 19th-Century American Literature to the Civil War | ||
| Post-Civil War American Literature | ||
| Drama from 1800 to the Present | ||
| 18th-Century British Novel | ||
| 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 and other media in English between 1945 and the present: | 4 | |
| British Literature, 1945 to Present | ||
| American Literature 1900-1945 | ||
| American Literature, 1945 to the Present | ||
| The Graphic Novel | ||
| 20th-Century British Novel | ||
| The Short Story | ||
| Detective Fiction | ||
| The American Novel from 1900 to the Present | ||
| Film as Narrative | ||
| Film Theory & Criticism | ||
| Love & Desire in Contemporary American Poetry | ||
| 20th-Century African American Poetry | ||
| 20th-Century American Poetry | ||
| Memoir & Life-Writing | ||
| Narrative Game Design | ||
| Video Games & Culture | ||
| Science Fiction | ||
| Children's Literature | ||
| African American Literature 1900-Present | ||
| Young Adult Literature | ||
| Literature by Women after 1900 | ||
| Choose one course on literature, identity, and difference: | 4 | |
| Topics in Global Literatures & Cultures | ||
| Topics in Postcolonial Literatures & Cultures | ||
| Topics in Diasporic Literatures & Migration | ||
| Reading Race, Class, & Gender | ||
| 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 | ||
| Literature by Women Before 1800 | ||
| Literature by Women from 1800-1900 | ||
| Literature by Women after 1900 | ||
| Choose two upper division English courses as electives, ENL 105-189. | 8 | |
| Please note that while some courses are identified as fulfilling more than one distribution requirement, a given course can only fulfill one such requirement. | ||
| Depth Subject Matter Subtotal | 28 | |
| Area of Emphasis | ||
| Choose at least one: | 11-12 | |
| Total Units | 58-60 | |
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 lower or upper division English course as an elective. | 3-4 | |
| Choose two Advanced Studies courses: | 8 | |
| Law & Literature | ||
| Food & Literature | ||
| Topics in Literature | ||
| Topics in Drama | ||
| Topics in the Novel | ||
| Writing Science | ||
| Topics in Poetry | ||
| Game Studies Seminar | ||
| Study of an Individual Author | ||
| Literature & the Environment | ||
| Literature, Sexuality, & Gender | ||
| Topics in Literature & Media | ||
| Topics in Literary & Critical Theory | ||
| Seminar in Literary Studies | ||
| Seminar for Honors Students | ||
| Honors Thesis | ||
| Total Units | 11-12 | |
Creative Writing Emphasis
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Three sections of: | 12 | |
ENL 070 | (Pending Approval) | |
| Creative Writing: Fiction | ||
| Creative Writing Advanced Fiction | ||
| Creative Writing Advanced Non-Fiction | ||
| Creative Writing: Non-Fiction | ||
| Creative Writing: Poetry | ||
| Creative Writing Advanced Poetry | ||
| Total Units | 12 | |