The Literature Option
The Literature Option focuses on analytical reading of British and American Literature. For further information, contact:
Colleen Tripp
Associate Chair
Email: colleen.tripp@csun.edu
Careers
English studies provides a good academic foundation for radio and television broadcasting, editing, writing, politics, film and library work, journalism, criticism, advertising, public information, public relations, teaching and technical writing. Studies show that English as a pre-professional major is valuable preparation for future careers in law, medicine, business, and federal service.
Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree
In pursuing their major, students are encouraged to follow our Degree Road Maps:
Lower Division Required Courses (9 units)
- ENGL 258 Major English Writers I (3)
- ENGL 259 Major English Writers II (3)
- ENGL 275 Major American Writers (3)
Upper Division Required Courses (30 units)
A. Critical Writing (3 units)
B. Literary Theory (3 units)
C. Literatures of Cultural Diversity (3 units)
Select one of the following:
- AIS 314 North American Indian Literature (3)
- ENGL 311 History of African-American Writing (3)
- ENGL 314 North American Indian Literature (3)
- ENGL 368 Gay Male Writers (3)
- ENGL 369 Lesbian Writers (3)
- ENGL 371 Issues in Jewish-American Writing (3)
- ENGL 431 Images of Women in Literature (3)
- ENGL 433 Women Authors (3)
- ENGL 434 19th Century Women Novelists (3)
- ENGL 487 Latina/o Literatures of the Americas (3)
*Consult an advisor for current courses in other areas, such as Asian American literature, Central American literature, Chicana and Chicano literature and Pan African or African American literature that also may satisfy this requirement.
D. British Literature (9 units)
Select one course from the following:
- ENGL 414 Chaucer (3)
- ENGL 416 Shakespeare: Selected Plays (3)
- ENGL 417 Shakespeare: A Survey (3)
- ENGL 418 English Drama to 1642 (3)
- ENGL 443 English Literature of the Middle Ages (3)
- ENGL 449 The English Renaissance (3)
Select one course from the following:
- ENGL 419 English Drama 1660-1880 (3)
- ENGL 420 Milton (3)
- ENGL 452 17th Century Literature (3)
- ENGL 456 Age of Revolutions (3)
- ENGL 466 Major British Novelists I: 1700-1815 (3)
Select one course from the following:
- ENGL 458 The Romantic Age (3)
- ENGL 460 The Victorian Age (3)
- ENGL 467 Major British Novelists II: 1815-1900 (3)
E. American Literature (6 units)
Select one course from the following:
- ENGL 473 American Literature: 1607-1860 (3)
- ENGL 474 American Literature: 1860-1912 (3)
- ENGL 477 Major American Novelists I: 19th Century (3)
F. Twentieth Century Literature (6 units)
Select two courses from the following:
- ENGL 427 Drama from Ibsen to the Present (3)
- ENGL 461 Modern British Literature (3)
- ENGL 462 Contemporary British Literature (3)
- ENGL 463A Modern Poetry (3)
- ENGL 463B Contemporary Poetry (3)
- ENGL 468 Major British Novelists III: 1900 to the Present (3)
- ENGL 475 American Literature: 1912-1945 (3)
- ENGL 476 Contemporary American Literature (3)
- ENGL 478 Major American Novelists II: the 20th Century (3)
G. Senior Seminar (3 units)
Upper Division Electives (9 units)
Select any upper division courses except ENGL 305.
General Education (48 units)
Undergraduate students must complete 48 units of General Education as described in this Catalog, including 3 units of coursework meeting the Ethnic Studies (ES) graduation requirement.
3 units are satisfied by the following courses in the major: ENGL 258 or ENGL 259 or ENGL 275 satisfies C2 Humanities.
If taken, ENGL 306, ENGL 313 or ENGL 315 satisfies E Lifelong Learning; ENGL 311 or ENGL 371 satisfies 3 units of upper division F Comparative Cultural Studies and fulfills the Information Competence requirement.
Students majoring in English are encouraged to take a foreign language as part of their college program.
Total Units in the Major Option: (48)
General Education Units: 45
Additional Units: 27
Total Units Required for the B.A. Degree: 120
Updated July 2021