English Literature – Associate in Arts Degree

Top Code:

1501.00

This area of emphasis is intended to align student course work with preparation for transfer to universities in such majors as English, Literature, Comparative Literature, World Literature, and other similar disciplines in CSU, UC, and private schools. Courses in this major encompass traditional literary history and interpretation as well as cross-cultural inquiry and current theoretical debates. Literature majors are trained in critical reading, writing, and thinking, as well as in literary interpretation. Literature is the study of representation, ideas, language, and culture. As such, it is a source of knowledge and pleasure, as well as a field of study. Literary texts are social documents in artistic form which speak to us as much about historical issues as about aesthetic matters. Literature students learn to think critically and to understand the role that texts play in a given society, past or present.

Please Note: The courses that universities and colleges require for transfer vary. When selecting courses for transfer purposes, students should consult with Counseling Services to determine the particular transfer requirements of specific transfer institutions.

Courses must be completed with a grade of C or better.

Program Outcomes

  • Apply critical thinking skills in reading and writing, specifically to analyze the nuances of poetry, drama, fiction, or other types of literature.
  • Appraise critical conversations about the historical, social, cultural, and aesthetic contexts of literary texts.
  • Examine how literature aligns with student interests, cultural diversity, and global awareness to support a global society.
  • Analyze the human condition from a multitude of perspectives by exploring culture/ethnicity, religions, personalities, communication styles, psychologies, sexualities, politics, and philosophies through literature.

Requirements for the Major

Courses must be completed with a grade of C or better. All courses must be numbered 001–099.

Required Courses3-4
READING AND COMPOSITION
HONORS READING AND COMPOSITION
INTERMEDIATE COMPOSITION-CRITICAL THINKING AND ARGUMENT
HONORS INTERMEDIATE COMPOSITION-CRITICAL THINKING AND ARGUMENT
INTRODUCTION TO LITERARY THEORY AND CRITICISM
Literary Survey6
Select two of the following:
AMERICAN LITERATURE
AMERICAN LITERATURE
AMERICAN LITERATURE: 1945 TO THE PRESENT
WORLD LITERATURE: LATE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY TO THE PRESENT
WORLD LITERATURE: 1800 - MID 20TH CENTURY
ENGLISH LITERATURE: BEOWULF TO JOHNSON
ENGLISH LITERATURE: ROMANTIC MOVEMENT TO THE PRESENT
Additional Requirements9
Select nine credits from at least three of the five categories listed below:
Literary Origins
WORLD LITERATURE: ANTIQUITY TO LATE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY
LITERATURE OF THE BIBLE: THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES
LITERATURE OF THE BIBLE: THE NEW TESTAMENT
INTRODUCTION TO SHAKESPEARE
INTRODUCTION TO SHAKESPEARE
INTRODUCTION TO CLASSICAL MYTHOLOGY
INTRODUCTION TO MYTHOLOGY
Gender and Ethnic Literature
A LITERATURE IN TRANSLATION
WOMEN'S LITERATURE
ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER LITERATURE IN TRANSLATION
NATIVE AMERICAN LITERATURE AND CULTURAL EXPRESSION
STUDIES IN QUEER LITERATURE
AFRICAN AMERICAN LITERATURE
ASIAN AMERICAN LITERATURE
CHICANO AND MEXICAN LITERATURE
Genre and Modes in Literature
LITERARY MODERNISM AND MODERNITY
SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY
LITERATURE OF HORROR (GOTHIC NOVEL)
COMEDY AND LITERATURE
MYSTERY AND CRIME FICTION
MAJOR NOVELIST
MAJOR DRAMATIST
MAJOR POET
MAJOR CRITIC
FILM AS DRAMATIC LITERATURE – GENRE AND AUTEUR THEORY
FILM AS DRAMATIC LITERATURE
INTERPRETING POETRY
MODERN DRAMA
MASTERPIECES OF DRAMA
INTRODUCTION TO THE NOVEL
Special Topics in Literature
AMERICAN JOURNEYS
POST-COLONIAL LITERATURES
UTOPIAN AND DYSTOPIAN LITERATURE
INTRODUCTION TO LITERARY THEORY AND CRITICISM
CALIFORNIA LITERATURE
CHILDREN'S LITERATURE
Total Units18-19

Visit the Program Mapper for a suggested sequence of courses.

General Education Requirements for the Associate in Arts Degree