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Current Year: 2010-2011
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English

College of Liberal Arts

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English - Undergraduate Programs

Bachelor of Arts in English

Program planners for each option are available in the Department office. Students should consult Department faculty for advising when choosing a program in English and regularly as they progress towards their degrees.

ENGL 100, a general education foundation course, is not part of any English option. Some options permit or require courses from other departments; if approved by a faculty advisor, options may also include other courses outside English. Because some courses meet requirements in several options, students can often change options with no significant loss of credit towards the required total; students also regularly double major in two options in English.

In rare instances, a student may accelerate completion of the major in English by taking advantage of the Department’s credit by examination policy. Courses may also be substituted or waived under certain circumstances. Consult a Department advisor for the option concerned.

In addition to the degree requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in English, English majors must meet the following requirements for University graduation:

1. Each lower division course counted towards the English major must be completed with a grade of “C” or better. A course in which a grade lower than a “C” is received must be retaken and successfully completed prior to enrolling in any course for which it is a prerequisite.

2. English 380, required of all English majors, must be completed with a grade of “C” or better. If a grade lower than a “C” is received, English 380 must be retaken and successfully completed with a grade of “C” or better prior to enrolling in any course for which it is a prerequisite.

Admission Under Impaction

To be eligible for admission to the major in English, applicants must demonstrate the following prior to the semester for which the application is submitted: Applicants must have met requirements for admission to the university as a freshman or transfer student and have completed the following courses (or equivalents) with a grade of “C” or better: General Education English, General Education Communication Studies and at least 6 lower division units of English course work. Eligible applicants will be selected for admission on a space-available basis based on cumulative grade point average.

Option in Creative Writing (code ENGLBA02) (120 units)

The Creative Writing option is designed for students who wish to write, as well as study, fiction, poetry, plays, or media scripts. Exposure to traditional and recent literature is also of significant value for anyone seeking to master the forms and conventions of writing creatively for the literary marketplace. (Students seeking a Secondary Credential should complete the Creative Writing emphasis of the English Education option.)

This option consists of 45 units, 31 of which must be taken in the upper division, including the following:

Lower Division:

  • Take all of the following:
    • ENGL 180 Appreciation of Literature (3)
    • ENGL 250A Survey of English Literature (4)
    • ENGL 250B Survey of English Literature (4)
  • Take one of the following:
    • ENGL 204 Introduction to Creative Writing: Creative Nonfiction (3)
    • ENGL 205 Introduction to Creative Writing: Fiction (3)
    • ENGL 206 Introduction to Creative Writing: Poetry (3)

Upper Division:

  • Take the following:
    • ENGL 380 Approaches to English Studies (4)
  • Take nine units from the following:
    • ENGL 404, 405, 406, 407, 499
  • Take three classes chosen from the following classes in recent literature, literary genres, and literary criticism:
    • ENGL 385, 386, 459, 466, 467A/B, 469, 474, 475, 476A/B, 477A/B, 478, 479
  • Take electives to make up a total of 45 units chosen from the classes listed above and/or any upper-division English courses.

Option in English Education (code ENGLBA06) (120 units)

English Education emphases should not be confused with B.A. options or majors in English or other departments, which have significantly different requirements. The English Education option is designed for prospective secondary English teachers and satisfies the state-mandated requirement in subject matter competence for the Single Subject Teaching Credential. This 52-unit option combines a 40-unit core with a specified emphasis in one of nine areas. All nine areas of emphasis require an additional 12 units of breadth and perspective beyond the core as indicated below.

Core Requirements

  • Take all of the following:
    • ENGL 310 Applied Composition (4)
    • ENGL 320 English Grammar (4)
    • ENGL 363 Shakespeare I (4)
    • ENGL 375 American Ethnic Writers (3)
    • ENGL 380 Approaches to English Studies (4)
    • ENGL 410 Theories of Writing and Literacy (3)
    • ENGL 482 Literature for Adolescents (4)
    • LING 339 Linguistics for Crosscultural Academic Development in Secondary School Settings (3)
  • Take one of the following:
    • ENGL 250A Survey of English Literature (4)
    • ENGL 250B Survey of English Literature (4)
  • Take one of the following:
    • ENGL 270A Survey of American Literature (4)
    • ENGL 270B Survey of American Literature (4)
  • Take one of the following:
    • CWL 100, 124, 132, 320I, 346, 404, 452/552, CLSC101
  • General Education courses that will meet California Commission for Teacher Credentialing Recommendations are:
    • Take three units from the following:
      • THEA 113, 122, 324I
    • Take three units from the following:
      • COMM 130, 335.

In addition to meeting the subject matter competence requirement for the Preliminary Single Subject Credential in English, prospective English teachers are also required to complete 44 units of professional preparation in the Single Subject Credential Program, including student teaching. Students may begin the professional preparation courses as early as the junior year. With careful planning, it is possible to complete all of the credential program courses, except for student teaching, as an undergraduate. Courses may also be completed as a post-baccalaureate student. Refer to the Single Subject Teacher Education section of this Catalog or the Single Subject Credential Program website (www.ced.csulb.edu/single-subject) for a description of the professional preparation requirements, courses, and application procedures. Prospective students should consult the department's English Education Advisor early to plan their program.

Africana Studies Emphasis

Students are required to complete the core of forty (40) units and twelve (12) units to provide breadth and perspective.

Breadth and Perspective (12 units):

  • Take all of the following:
    • AFRS 140 Introduction to African-American Literature (3)
    • AFRS 415 International Black Children's Literature (3)
  • Take three units from the following:
    • AFRS 343A, 343B
  • Take three units from the following:
    • AFRS 180, 205, 240, 346.

Communication Studies Emphasis

Students are required to complete the core of forty (40) units and twelve (12) units to provide breadth and perspective.

Breadth and Perspective (12 units):

  • Take the following:
    • COMM 355 Communication in the Classroom (3)
  • Take nine units from the following:
    • COMM 309, 331, 335, 352, 358, 411.

Creative Writing Emphasis

Students are required to complete the core of forty (40) units and twelve (12) units to provide breadth and perspective.

Breadth and Perspective (12 units):

  • Take six units from the following:
    • ENGL 404, 405, 406, 407
  • Take six units from the following:
    • ENGL 385, 386, 459, 463, 467A/B, 474, 475, 476A/B, 477A/B, 478.

Journalism Emphasis

Students are required to complete the core of forty (40) units and twelve (12) units to provide breadth and perspective.

Breadth and Perspective (12 units):

  • Take all of the following:
    • JOUR 120 Writing Across the Media (3)
    • JOUR 305 Media Design (3)
    • JOUR 311 Reporting and Information Gathering (3)
  • Take three units from the following:
    • JOUR 430, 431

Language and Linguistics Emphasis

Students are required to complete the core of forty (40) units and twelve (12) units to provide breadth and perspective.

Breadth and Perspective (12 units):

  • Take three units from the following:
    • LING 420, 421, 433
  • Take three units from the following:
    • LING 485, 486; EDP 485
  • Take three units from the following:
    • LING 425, 472; ANTH 421
  • Take three units from the following:
    • ENGL 435, LING 460

Literacy and Composition Emphasis

Students are required to complete the core of forty (40) units and twelve (12) units to provide breadth and perspective.

Breadth and Perspective (12 units):

  • Take all of the following:
    • ENGL 435 Teaching Composition (3)
    • ENGL 436 Theories and Practices of Reading (3)
  • Take two of the following:
    • ENGL 300, 309, 317, 404, 405, 406, 407, 417, 418, 496, 497, LING 460.

Literature Emphasis

Students are required to complete the core of forty (40) units and twelve (12) units to provide breadth and perspective.

Breadth and Perspective (12 units):

  • Take three units from the ENGL 450 series
  • Take three units from the ENGL 470 series
  • Take three units from the following:
    • ENGL 318I, 385, 386, 398
  • Take three units from the following:
    • 1. Any course in ENGL 440 series;
    • 2. Any course in ENGL 450 series different from above;
    • 3. Any course in ENGL 460 series;
    • 4. Any course in ENGL 470 series different from above;
    • 5. Any course in ENGL 480 series except ENGL 482 or 498.

Theatre Arts Emphasis

Students are required to complete the core of forty (40) units and twelve (12) units to provide breadth and perspective.

Breadth and Perspective (12 units):

  • Take all of the following:
    • THEA 101 Fundamentals of Script Analysis (3)
    • THEA 114A Fundamentals of Acting (3)
    • THEA 321 History of Theatre and Drama to 1660 (3)
    • THEA 374 Fundamentals of Directing (3)

World Literature Emphasis

Students are required to complete the core of forty (40) units and twelve (12) units to provide breadth and perspective.

Breadth and Perspective (12 units):

  • Take three units from the following:
    • CWL 101, 132, 452, CLSC 101
  • Take three units from the following:
    • CWL 330A, 330B
  • Take three units from the following:
    • CWL 103, 104, 334, 402, 403, 406, 440
  • Take three units from the following:
    • CWL 414I, 422I, 431, 432, 437, 438; CLSC 311I, 312I, 420I.

Option in Literature (code ENGLBA01) (120 units)

The Literature option is designed for students who desire a thorough grounding in English and American literature and is particularly recommended for those planning on graduate study in English. (Students seeking a Secondary Credential should complete the Literature emphasis of the English Education option.)

This option consists of 46 units, 27 of which must be taken in the upper division, including the following:

Lower Division:

  • Take all of the following:
    • ENGL 180 Appreciation of Literature (3)
    • ENGL 250A Survey of English Literature (4)
    • ENGL 250B Survey of English Literature (4)
    • ENGL 270A Survey of American Literature (4)
    • ENGL 270B Survey of American Literature (4)

Upper Division:

  • Take all of the following:
    • ENGL 363 Shakespeare I (4)
    • ENGL 380 Approaches to English Studies (4)
  • Take either two from the ENGL 450 series or one from the ENGL 450 series and one from the ENGL 460 series (excluding ENGL 469) - one of these two courses must be in English literature before 1900
  • Take one course from 470 series (excluding ENGL 479)
  • Take one senior seminar (ENGL 469, 479, 489)
  • Take electives to make up a total of 46 units

Option in Rhetoric and Composition (code ENGLBA04) (120 units)

The Rhetoric and Composition option is designed for students who desire to write for multiple readers and to analyze and interpret texts. This option prepares students for teaching on virtually all levels, for graduate study in English, and for professions that require intensive writing and communication skills. (Students seeking a Secondary Credential should complete the Literacy and Composition emphasis of the English Education option.)

This option consists of 45 units, 32 of which must be upper division, including the following:

Lower Division:

  • Take the following:
    • ENGL 180 Appreciation of Literature (or equivalent) (3)
  • Take two of the following:
    • ENGL 250A, 250B, 270A, 270B

Upper Division:

  • Take the following:
    • ENGL 380 Approaches to English Studies (4)
  • Take two of the following:
    • ENGL 300, 317, 410, and 435
  • Take seven of the following:
    • ENGL 310, 320, 337, 363, 404, 411, 416, 417, 418, 419, 423, 426, 436, 488, and 497
  • Take upper-division English course electives to reach a total of 45 units.

Note: Students are strongly encouraged to take ENGL 102 or an English-department equivalent at a transfer school for this option.

Option with Special Emphasis (code ENGLBA05) (120 units)

Some students wishing to major in English have special interests or career objectives so different from those for which the other options are designed that another pattern of courses would better serve their personal educational needs. For those students, the Special Emphasis option offers an opportunity to pursue individually designed 41-unit programs of study. Student programs may center on technical writing, for example, or other writing goals; they may focus on American or English literature or literature in a particular genre, a particular historical period, or a particular theme.

A Special Emphasis program may include courses outside the Department of English closely related to a student’s focus in English studies. At least 21 units must be earned in the Department of English at CSULB and at least 21 units of the program must be upper division. For degrees with more than four courses in any single other department, students should consider a Special Major in the Interdisciplinary Studies Program.

Students wishing to take the Special Emphasis option should prepare a detailed program proposal early in their college careers. Such programs will be recognized only if planned in consultation with a faculty advisor in the Department of English, approved in writing by the advisor, given signed approval by the Department Chair, and carried out under the advisor’s continuing supervision. Students must complete at least 15 upper-division units applicable to their Special Emphasis program after it has been officially approved.

Specific course requirements and limitations follow:

  • Take all of the following:
    • ENGL 180 Composition and Literature (3)
    • ENGL 380 Approaches to English Studies (4)

Electives in English and related fields are needed to make up a total of 41 units. These electives may not include ENGL 100 or 101.

Minor in English

Creative Writing (code ENGLUM01)

Requires a minimum of 20 units including the following:

  • Take the following:
    • ENGL 180 Appreciation of Literature (3) (or equivalent)
  • Take three units from the following:
    • ENGL 204, 205, 206
  • Take three units from the following:
    • ENGL 404, 405, 406
  • Take three units from the following:
    • ENGL 385, 386
  • Take eight units from the following:
    • ENGL 359, 404, 405, 406, 407, 432, 459, 466, 467A/B, 474, 475, 476, 477A/B, 499. (Note: ENGL 404, 405, 406 and 407 may be repeated for credit to a maximum of six units by consent of instructor.)

Rhetoric and Composition (code ENGLUM02)

Requires a minimum of 20 units including the following:

  • Take all of the following:
    • ENGL 310 Applied Composition (4)
    • ENGL 497 Directed Studies in Composition (3)
    • LING 420 English Phonology (3)
    • LING 421 English Syntax (3)
  • Recommended, 3 units of the following:
    • ENGL (or LING) 423 or 426

Literature (code ENGLUM03)

Requires a minimum of 20 units including the following:

  • Take the following:
    • ENGL 180 Appreciation of Literature (3) (or equivalent)
  • Take eight units from the following:
    • ENGL 250A, 250B, 270A, 270B
  • Take nine units from upper-division literature classes in the English department (including at least one class at the 400 level).

Special Emphasis (code ENGLUM04)

Requires a minimum of 21 units in a program developed, approved, and supervised in the same manner as the Special Emphasis Option.

  • Take the following:
    • ENGL 180 Appreciation of Literature (3) (or equivalent)

The rest of the program constructed in consultation with a faculty advisor.

At least nine upper-division units must be taken after program approval, and at least 11 units must be earned in the Department of English at CSULB.

Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language (code ENGLCT02)

The Certificate Program in Teaching English as a Second Language is conducted by the Linguistics Department faculty. Please refer to the Linguistics sections of this Catalog.

** The text below for ENGLCT01 differs from the print version of the CSULB Catalog. For Area II: Language studies, students are required to take ONE of the following courses, not all. (09/23/10) **

Certificate in Technical and Professional Communication (code ENGLCT01)

The Department of English offers a Certificate in Technical and Professional Communication to students interested in careers in writing and editing. Application forms and advising materials may be obtained from the department office.

Prerequisites

  • 1. Formal consultation with a faculty advisor in the Technical and Professional Communication (TPC) Certificate program;
  • 2. Submission of an application to enter the program, supported by transcripts;
  • 3. Upper division or post-baccalaureate standing at CSULB with a grade point average of at least 2.75 overall;
  • 4. Admission to a degree program in this university or possession of a degree from an accredited university;
  • 5. Successful completion of ENGL 317, Technical Communication, with a letter grade of "C" or higher.

General Requirements

  • 1. A baccalaureate degree, which may be taken concurrently with the Certificate in Technical and Professional Communication;
  • 2. A minimum of 24 units in courses approved for the Certificate Program at this University, preferably completed within 10 years of the first credit granted toward the Certificate (consult an advisor concerning any transfer or extension credit that may be allowable);
  • 3. A letter grade of "C" or higher in every course in the Certificate program (a grade of "CR" is acceptable in no more than one course);
  • 4. Completion of a program of courses in Areas I through IV, developed in consultation with an advisor in the Technical and Professional Communication Certificate program, and approved by the Program Director and the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts (or the Dean's designee);
  • 5. Demonstrations (in or outside the program of courses) of competence in the use of computers and graphic media;
  • 6. Development of a portfolio of reports, written and edited by the student during enrollment in the Certificate program, for review and approval by faculty in the Technical and Professional Communication Certificate program (required for a grade in ENGL 492A/B, Area IV).

Course Requirements

For each of the following courses, TPC Certificate students have been granted enrollment rights equal to those of students majoring in the Department offering the course. Substitutions are possible, especially in more advanced courses, with approval by the Program Director.

Area I: Technical and Professional Writing (9 units):

  • Take all of the following:
    • ENGL 417 Proposal Writing (3)
    • ENGL 418 Manual Writing (3)
  • Take one of the following:
    • ART 307; ENGL 419; GEOL 420; IS 301; JOUR 316, 319B

Area II: Language Studies (4 units):

  • Take one of the following:
    • ENGL 320 English Grammar (4)
    • ENGL 416 Technical Editing (4)

Area III: Electives from the following (minimum 8 units):

  • Analytical Reading:
    • COMM 301; ENGL 380, 423, 488; GEOG 380; HIST 400I; NSCI 375I; PHIL 381I
  • Business/Professional Skills:
    • ACCT 201; BLAW 220; COMM 334, 335, 344; JOUR 370; MKTG 300, 330
  • Computer Applications:
    • CECS 174; JOUR 331; MGMT 426; NSCI 200; IS 300; SOC 260
  • Creative Writing:
    • ENGL 404, 405, 406, 407; FEA 304, 404; THEA 380
  • Intercultural Communication:
    • ANTH 412I, 413; COMM 330; MKTG 480
  • Visual Communication:
    • ET 170; GEOG 200; JOUR 305; MAE 172

Area IV: Practical Writing (3 units):

  • ENGL 491 (1 or more units), ENGL 492A or 492B (2 or more units). No grade in ENGL 492 will be assigned without an approved portfolio, as indicated in Paragraph 6, General Requirements.