Literature Concentration

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English Majors concentrating in English and American Literature will focus on literary analysis and literary criticism, becoming familiar with traditional and emerging texts from a variety of literatures. Students in the Literature concentration become sharp readers and perceptive interpreters of complicated ideas in preparation for a wide variety of future paths. The Literature concentration emphasizes rigorous analysis and interpretation, wide-ranging reading, and enjoyable encounters with a variety of challenging novels, plays, essays, and poems, as well as film and other media. The Literature concentration builds skills of argumentation, communication, and research and familiarizes students with important texts, influential ideas, and a range of historical and cultural information.

A Junior Seminar

Complete the following course:

ENGL 385 - Junior Seminar Unit(s): 4

A Senior-Level Course in British Literature

Complete one of the following courses:

ENGL 448 - Periods in British Literature Unit(s): 4
ENGL 481 - Studies in British Literature Unit(s): 4
ENGL 484 - Individual Authors: English Unit(s): 4

A Senior-Level Course in American Literature

Complete one of the following courses:

ENGL 450 - Periods in American Literature Unit(s): 4
ENGL 482 - Studies in American Literature Unit(s): 4
ENGL 483 - Individual Authors: American Unit(s): 4

A Senior Capstone Course

Complete the following course:

ENGL 485 - Senior Seminar Unit(s): 4

An Additional Introductory Course

Complete one of the following courses Or relevant GE courses and other courses from the School of Arts and Humanities per consultation with a department advisor:

ENGL 160B - Humanities Learning Community Unit(s): 4
ENGL 203 - Introduction to Linguistic Studies Unit(s): 4
ENGL 207 - Introduction to Creative Writing Unit(s): 4
ENGL 214 - Literature of the World Unit(s): 4
ENGL 273 - Critical and Creative Readings of Literary Texts Unit(s): 4
ENGL 304 - War and Peace Lecture Series Unit(s): 4
ENGL 314 - Modern World Literature in English Unit(s): 4
ENGL 315 - California Ethnic Literature Unit(s): 4
ENGL 345 - Women Writers Unit(s): 4

Additional Advanced or Experiential Course

Students who declare minors in a related field may consult with a department advisor for the possibility of waiving or double-counting units in either Additional Introductory Course or Additional Advanced or Experiential Course. Complete one or more of the following courses for a total of four units:

ENGL 368 - Small Press Editing: ZAUM Unit(s): 4
ENGL 395 - Community Involvement Program Unit(s): 1-4
ENGL 460 - Teaching Assistant in English Unit(s): 1-4
ENGL 462 - Research Assistant in English Unit(s): 1-4
ENGL 499 - Internship Unit(s): 1-4

Any 400-level Literature Course

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 435 - Directed Writing Unit(s): 2-8
ENGL 439 - Studies in Shakespeare Unit(s): 4
ENGL 448 - Periods in British Literature Unit(s): 4
ENGL 481 - Studies in British Literature Unit(s): 4
ENGL 484 - Individual Authors: English Unit(s): 4
ENGL 450 - Periods in American Literature Unit(s): 4
ENGL 482 - Studies in American Literature Unit(s): 4
ENGL 483 - Individual Authors: American Unit(s): 4
ENGL 487 - Studies in Rhetoric Unit(s): 4

Any 400-level Creative Writing Course

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 475 - Master Class in Nonfiction Unit(s): 4

Units

Total units in the Literature concentration: 24

Sample Four-Year Program

English, B.A., Literature Concentration

Freshman Year: 30-32 Units

Fall Semester (15-16 Units)

ENGL 101 - Expository Writing and Analytical Reading Unit(s): 3
ENGL 160A - Humanities Learning Community Unit(s): 4

Spring Semester (15-16 Units)

ENGL 160B - Humanities Learning Community Unit(s): 4

Sophomore Year: 30 Units

Fall Semester (15 Units)

ENGL 235 - Early British & American Literature Unit(s): 4
ENGL 201 - Literary Analysis: Seminar Unit(s): 4

Spring Semester (15 Units)

ENGL 236 - Later British & American Lit. Unit(s): 4

Junior Year: 30 Units

Fall Semester (15 Units)

ENGL 350 - Survey in a Distinct Ethnic Tradition Unit(s): 4
ENGL 385 - Junior Seminar Unit(s): 4

Spring Semester (15 Units)

ENGL 339 - Introduction to Shakespeare Unit(s): 3-4
ENGL 439 - Studies in Shakespeare Unit(s): 4

Senior Year: 30 Units

Fall Semester (15 Units)

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 487 - Studies in Rhetoric Unit(s): 4

Spring Semester (15 Units)

ENGL 485 - Senior Seminar Unit(s): 4

Total Units: 120

**Be sure to take 4 additional English major elective units if you took neither ENGL 160B as a freshman or a C2 course in the English Department (ENGL 273, ENGL 314, ENGL 315, ENGL 345). (see concentration plan in catalog) ****See list in Catalog of accepted experiential courses for literature concentration For 300/400 level CW courses, see catalog description for upper division CW courses.