Critical Literacies and English Education, Minor

The Critical Literacies and English Education minor at Sonoma State University offers students a foundation in teaching reading, writing, and language, alongside an exploration of educational contexts. This minor is designed for those interested in pursuing careers that involve teaching but do not involve full time teaching in public schools at the secondary level, which requires completing a teaching credentialing post-BA program. The minor equips students with critical pedagogical strategies and a deep understanding of language and literature. Students must complete 18-20 units, with grades of C- or better to fulfill minor requirements.

Program Learning Outcomes

Develop Effective Teaching Strategies for Reading and Writing
- Students will gain an understanding of the design, implementation and assessment of instructional strategies for teaching reading and writing to diverse student populations
Analyze and Apply Language Pedagogy
- Students will gain a deep understanding of language structure, use, and variation, and pedagogical approaches to teaching grammar, rhetoric, and linguistics.
Understand Educational Contexts and Culturally Relevant Pedagogy
- Students will critically examine the historical, social, and cultural contexts of education, particularly in California, and develop culturally responsive-sustaining teaching practices that support diverse learners and promote equity in education.

Core Requirement: Teaching Reading & Writing

Required: Take two required courses (8 units)

ENGL 492 - Reading and Responding to Literature Unit(s): 4
ENGL 491 - Seminar in Teaching Composition Unit(s): 4

Core Requirement: Teaching Language

Required: Take one course from the following (4 units)

ENGL 341 - Explorations in Language Unit(s): 4
ENGL 379 - Structure of English: Pedagogical Grammar Unit(s): 4
ENGL 487 - Studies in Rhetoric Unit(s): 4
ENGL 489 - Topics in Linguistics Unit(s): 4

Core Requirement: Teaching Context

Required: Take one from the following (3-4 units)

ENGL 200 - Teaching CA Histories of Schooling & Education Unit(s): 3
ENGL 315 - California Ethnic Literature Unit(s): 3
ENGL 343 - Youth and Literature Unit(s): 4
ENGL 350 - Survey in a Distinct Ethnic Tradition Unit(s): 4

Electives

In addition to taking a required course in each of the core areas (Teaching Reading & Writing; Teaching Language; and Teaching Context) students must take one elective course (3-4 units), which must be an upper-division ENGL course.

ENGL 307 - Introduction to Fiction Writing Unit(s): 4
ENGL 313 - Classical Literature and Myth Unit(s): 4
ENGL 314 - Modern World Literature in English Unit(s): 3
ENGL 315 - California Ethnic Literature Unit(s): 3
ENGL 318 - Introduction to Poetry Writing Unit(s): 4
ENGL 339 - Introduction to Shakespeare Unit(s): 4
ENGL 341 - Explorations in Language Unit(s): 4
ENGL 342 - Children’s Literature Unit(s): 4
ENGL 343 - Youth and Literature Unit(s): 4
ENGL 345 - Women Writers Unit(s): 3
ENGL 350 - Survey in a Distinct Ethnic Tradition Unit(s): 4
ENGL 352 - Personal Essay Unit(s): 4
ENGL 367 - Introduction to Short Story Unit(s): 4
ENGL 368 - Small Press Editing: ZAUM Unit(s): 4
ENGL 369 - Introduction to Poetry Unit(s): 4
ENGL 375 - Advanced Composition Unit(s): 4
ENGL 379 - Structure of English: Pedagogical Grammar Unit(s): 4
ENGL 385 - Junior Seminar Unit(s): 4
ENGL 400 - English Lecture Series Unit(s): 1-4
ENGL 401 - Introduction to Modern Critical Theory Unit(s): 4
ENGL 402 - Introduction to Digital Humanities Unit(s): 4
ENGL 403 - Contemporary World Literature: Form and Practice Unit(s): 4
ENGL 407 - Advanced Fiction Writing Unit(s): 1-4
ENGL 409 - Master Class-Fiction Writing Unit(s): 4
ENGL 418 - Advanced Poetry Writing Unit(s): 4
ENGL 430 - Creative Writing: Select Genres Unit(s): 1-4
ENGL 435 - Directed Writing Unit(s): 2-8
ENGL 436 - Studies in Postcolonial Literature Unit(s): 4
ENGL 439 - Studies in Shakespeare Unit(s): 4
ENGL 447 - Studies in Comparative Literature Unit(s): 3-4
ENGL 448 - Periods in British Literature Unit(s): 4
ENGL 450 - Periods in American Literature Unit(s): 4
ENGL 451 - Feminist Perspectives in Literature Unit(s): 4
ENGL 472 - Studies in the Novel Unit(s): 4
ENGL 474 - Studies in Drama Unit(s): 4
ENGL 475 - Master Class in Nonfiction Unit(s): 4