English

The English program is designed to help students become more effective writers, readers, researchers, and critical thinkers. In our classes, students will engage with texts about diverse, provocative, and universal themes. They will read dramatic narratives, topical articles, inspirational verse, and literature about the human condition. They will have the opportunity to think deeply about their own personal views and the views of others and express thoughtful and original ideas through clear, coherent essays. They will refine their understanding of academic honesty not just to avoid plagiarism but to enter into dialogue with other writers and academics. The English department is committed to familiarizing students with different genres of writing, whether as readers or creative writers, and with writers from a variety of cultural traditions and historical eras. Students will leave our program with the reading and writing skills to succeed across the curriculum, to thrive in their places of employment, to enrich their own lives, and to participate more thoughtfully in our communities and our world.

Degrees:

• AA-T - English
• AA - English

Certificates of Achievement:

• Creative Writing

Career Opportunities

The coursework in English prepares students for the critical reading and writing necessary in a variety of fields, with further study, such as law, education, publishing, business, government, information architecture, writing, nonprofit development and fundraising, and many more. Research and feedback from San Francisco Bay Area employers shows that employees who can write well and think clearly are a valued commodity in the workforce.

English Courses

ENG 1A - Critical Reading and Composition

3 units

Integrated approach to reading, writing, and critical thinking intended to develop ability to read and write complex, college-level prose. Examination of ideas in relation to individual's worldview and contexts from which these ideas arise. Some research required. Prerequisite: ENG 104 with a minimum grade of P or NENG 204 with a minimum grade of P or ESL 25 with a minimum grade of C. 54 hours lecture, 18 hours laboratory. AA/AS GE. Transfer: CSU, UC; CSU GE: A2; IGETC: 1A; C-ID# ENGL 100.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: GR

ENG 1AEX - Critical Reading and Composition Expanded

4 units

Integrated approach to reading, writing, and critical thinking intended to develop ability to read and write complex, college-level prose. Examination of ideas in relation to individual's worldview and contexts from which these ideas arise. Some research required. Integrated approach to reading, writing, and critical thinking intended to develop ability to read and write complex, college-level prose. English 1AEX provides students with an extra unit of lab to support students in reading and writing complex, college-level prose. Students who have completed, or are enrolled in, ENG 1A may not receive credit. Prerequisite: ENG 104 with a minimum grade of P or ESL 25 with a minimum grade of C. 54 hours lecture, 54 hours laboratory. AA/AS GE. Transfer: CSU, UC.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: GR

ENG 4 - Critical Thinking and Writing About Literature

3 units

Develops critical thinking, reading, and writing skills as they apply to the analysis of fiction, poetry and drama; literary criticism; and related non-fiction from diverse cultural sources and perspectives. Emphasis on the techniques and principles of effective written argument as they apply to literature. Some research required. Prerequisite: ENG 1A with a minimum grade of C. 54 hours lecture. AA/AS GE. Transfer: CSU, UC; CSU GE: A3, C2; IGETC: 1B, 3B; C-ID# ENGL 120.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: GR

ENG 7 - Critical Thinking and Writing Across Disciplines

3 units

Develops critical thinking, reading and writing skills as they apply to the textual analysis of primary and secondary book-length works from a range of academic and cultural contexts. Emphasis on the techniques and principles of effective written argument in research-based writing across disciplines. Prerequisite: ENG 1A with a minimum grade of C. 54 hours lecture. AA/AS GE. Transfer: CSU, UC; CSU GE: A3, C2; IGETC: 1B, 3B; C-ID# ENGL 105.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: GR

ENG 11 - Introduction to Creative writing

3 units

Introduction to elements and craft of various genres of creative writing, including narrative, verse, and dialogue, using materials drawn from individual’s own work and selected texts from established and peer writers. Practice in writing in various genres. Introduction to workshop method. Strongly Recommended: Eligibility for ENG 1A. 54 hours lecture. AA/AS GE. Transfer: CSU; CSU GE: C2; C-ID# ENGL 200.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: GR

ENG 12A - Craft of Writing Fiction

3 units

Practice in writing fiction. Developing internal and external sources for stories and novels; biographical sources, characterization, plot, points-of-view, narrative techniques; analysis and criticism of published writing and individual’s own work. Strongly Recommended: ENG 11 with a minimum grade of C, Eligibility for ENG 1A. 54 hours lecture. AA/AS GE. Transfer: CSU; CSU GE: C2.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: OP

ENG 12B - Craft of Writing Fiction: Intermediate

3 units

Practice in writing fiction at an intermediate level. Builds on the skills developed in English 12A by requiring the use of vivid description, specific detail, dynamic and rounded character development, consistent point of view, and logical plotting that avoids cliche. Focus on developing themes that create intellectual or emotional resonance. Expectation of sentence structure, grammar, and format accuracy. Develop internal and external sources for stories and novels; analysis and criticism of published short fiction and a book-length work; analysis and criticism of peer work and individual’s own work. Requires submission for publication at the end of the semester. Strongly Recommended: ENG 12A with a minimum grade of C and ENG 1A with a minimum grade of C. 54 hours lecture. AA/AS GE. Transfer: CSU; CSU GE: C2.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: OP

ENG 12C - Craft of Writing Fiction: Advanced

3 units

Practice in writing fiction at an advanced level. Builds on the intermediate skills developed in English 12B by requiring a mastery of description, detail, character development, consistent point of view, and logical plotting that avoids cliche. Focus on achieving themes that create intellectual or emotional resonance. Expectation of sentence structure, grammar, and format accuracy. Develop internal and external sources for stories and novels; analysis and criticism of published short fiction and a presentation about the craft in a booklength work; analysis and criticism of peer work and individual’s own work. Requires submission for publication at the end of the semester; analysis and criticism of peer work and individual’s own work. Prerequisite: ENG 12B with a minimum grade of C. Strongly Recommended: ENG 1AEX with a minimum grade of C or ENG 1A with a minimum grade of C. 54 hours lecture. AA/AS GE. Transfer: CSU.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: OP

ENG 13A -The Craft of Writing Poetry: Beginning

3 units

Practice in writing poetry, using materials drawn from published poetry and individual’s own work for analysis and criticism, with a focus on techniques of revision. Strongly Recommended: ENG 11 with a minimum grade of C or ENG 1A with a minimum grade of C or ENG 1AEX with a minimum grade of C. 54 hours lecture. AA/AS GE. Transfer: CSU; CSU GE: C2.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: OP

ENG 13B - The Craft of Writing Poetry: Intermediate

3 units

Continued practice in writing poetry, using materials drawn from published poetry and individual’s own work for analysis and criticism, with a focus on techniques of revision and submission for publication. Prerequisite: ENG 13A with a minimum grade of C. 54 hours lecture. AA/AS GE. Transfer: CSU.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: OP

ENG 19A - Journal of Arts, Literature and Academic Writing A

3 units

Creation of a literary-style student magazine. Practical training in the managing, editing, formatting, and printing of a literary magazine. Enrollment constitutes the staff of the magazine. Cross listed with MSCM 19A. A student who has successfully completed MSCM 19A cannot enroll in ENG 19A. 36 hours lecture, 54 hours laboratory. Transfer: CSU.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: OP

ENG 19B - Journal of Arts, Literature and Academic Writing B

3 units

Creation of a literary-style student magazine. Practical intermediate level training in the managing, editing, formatting, and printing of a literary supplement and/or magazine with a focus on the production process, including copy editing, design, layout, proofreading, working with the printer, and digital and print distribution. Enrollment constitutes the staff of the magazine. A student who has completed MSCM 19B cannot enroll in ENG 19B. Prerequisite: MSCM 19A with a minimum grade of C or ENG 19A with a minimum grade of C. 36 hours lecture, 54 hours laboratory. Transfer: CSU.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: OP

ENG 20 - Studies in Shakespeare

3 units

Readings of the sonnets and representative comedies, histories, tragedies, and romances of William Shakespeare, with attention to the early, middle and late phases of his art and to the Age of Elizabeth. Prerequisite: ENG 1A with a minimum grade of C. 54 hours lecture. AA/AS GE. Transfer: CSU, UC; CSU GE: C2; IGETC: 3B.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: GR

ENG 29 - Independent Study, English

0.5 - 2 units

For course information, see "#independent-study". 27-108 hours lecture.

ENG 32 - U.S. Women's Literature

3 units

Chronicles the expression of U.S. women authors through readings in a variety of genres such as fiction, poetry, drama, and the essay. Study of the works of at least three of the following groups: African Americans, Asian Americans, European Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans, with a particular focus on the 20th century. Prerequisite: ENG 1A with a minimum grade of C. 54 hours lecture. AA/AS GE. Transfer: CSU, UC; CSU GE: C2; IGETC: 3B.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: GR

ENG 35 - Modern American Literature

3 units

U.S. literature from the second half of the 19th century to the present, including poetry, drama, prose fiction, and essays. Emphasizes literary analysis and the exploration each work in relation to its social, cultural and historical contexts. Prerequisite: ENG 1A with a minimum grade of C. 54 hours lecture. AA/AS GE. Transfer: CSU, UC; CSU GE: C2; IGETC: 3B; C-ID# ENGL 35.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: GR

ENG 41 - Modern World Literature

3 units

This course is a comparative study of selected works, in translation and in English, of literature from various regions and cultures around the world, including Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, the Americas, and other areas, from the mid-or late-seventeenth century to the present. Emphasis will be on literary analysis as well as providing historical, cultural, and comparative perspectives on the literature. Prerequisite: ENG 1A with a minimum grade of C. 54 hours lecture. AA/AS GE. Transfer: CSU, UC; CSU GE: C2; IGETC: 3B; C-ID# ENGL 145.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: GR

ENG 42 - Literature of the African Diaspora in America

3 units

Form, development, and cultural and historic insights of literature of the African diaspora in America and the United States, including some or all of the following: short fiction and novels, oral history and memoir, poetry, plays, songs, popular culture, and nonfiction; exploration of particular themes or periods as reflected in the literature of people of the African diaspora created in America. Prerequisite: ENG 1A with a minimum grade of C. 54 hours lecture. AA/AS GE. Transfer: CSU, UC.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: OP

ENG 44 - Literature of the American West

3 units

Critical analysis of the cultural and historical experiences of diverse people of the American West as expressed in their literatures, including the novel, short story, poetry, autobiography, memoirs, as-told-to-narratives, and secondary works. Exploration of interrelationships among peoples and cultures of the West, considering place and community, gender, and ethnicity as given voice in literature. Study of the works of at least three of the following groups: African Americans, Asian Americans, European Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans. Emphasis upon techniques of critical review of and response to literary works, including gaining understanding of one’s identity as a Westerner and an American. Prerequisite: ENG 1A with a minimum grade of C. 54 hours lecture. AA/AS GE. Transfer: CSU, UC; CSU GE: C2, D3; IGETC: 3B.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: GR

ENG 45 - Studies in Fiction

3 units

Form, development, and cultural insights of the novel and short story; exploration of particular themes or periods as reflected in works of fiction. Prerequisite: ENG 1A with a minimum grade of C. 54 hours lecture. AA/AS GE. Transfer: CSU, UC; CSU GE: C2; IGETC: 3B.

• Degree Applicable, Credit
• Grading Option: GR