A.A. in English Literature
The Associate of Arts Degree in English Literature provides students with a strong foundation in literature to better prepare them for transfer into a four-year English program. Core course work explores primarily British and American writers through an array of literary traditions, providing opportunities for students to express their understanding and appreciation of the literary world through analysis, research and composition. This degree requires nineteen - twenty units, of which thirteen - fourteen are required courses. An additional six units must be selected from the listed optional courses.
A.A. Degree Level Student Learning Outcomes
Students completing the English Literature A.A. Degree will:
- Critically analyze and evaluate the subtext of literature texts in order to demonstrate knowledge of literary terminology.
- Identify and evaluate the writer’s use of literature as a persuasive tool to identify and assess the effectiveness of literary works.
- Recognize the historical and cultural context of material to evaluate the impact of various cultural phenomena on perspectives presented in literature.
- Employ established modes of reasoning in the defense and development of thesis/judgments to clearly demonstrate knowledge of critical analysis tools in all written work.
- Critically analyze and synthesize source material to demonstrate ability to write at the college level.
- Demonstrate cultural awareness, personal responsibility, and ethical behavior in evaluating and writing about literature.
Students receiving this degree must meet the following requirements:
- Complete the District General Education Pattern, CSUGE or IGETC.
If transferring to a CSU or UC students are strongly recommended to complete the CSUGE or IGETC General Education Patterns. Students looking to transfer to an out of state or private college should consult with a counselor for the appropriate GE pattern selection. - Complete with a “C” or better each course as specified by the major.
- Maintain an overall GPA of a 2.0 or better in all degree applicable coursework.
- Meet the local area requirement of Kinesiology/Dance.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required courses: | ||
| ENGL 101 | Reading and Composition | 4-5 |
| or ENGL 101H | Reading and Composition - Honors | |
| or ENGL 101E | Reading and Composition, Enhanced | |
| ENGL 103 | Composition and Critical Thinking | 3 |
| or ENGL 103H | Composition and Critical Thinking - Honors | |
| or ENGL 104 | Argumentative Writing and Critical Thinking | |
| or ENGL 104H | Argumentative Writing and Critical Thinking - Honors | |
| ENGL 251 | Introduction to English Literature I | 3 |
| or ENGL 252 | Introduction to English Literature II | |
| ENGL 261 | Introduction to U.S. American Literature I | 3 |
| or ENGL 262 | Introduction to U. S. American Literature II: 1865-The Present | |
| Select two (2) of the following courses: | ||
| Horror Literature | 3 | |
or ENGL 213H | Horror Literature - Honors | |
| American Latino Literature | 3 | |
| Introduction to English Literature I | 3 | |
| Introduction to English Literature II | 3 | |
| Introduction to U.S. American Literature I | 3 | |
| Introduction to U. S. American Literature II: 1865-The Present | 3 | |
| Introduction to World Literature: Ancient - Early Modern | 3 | |
| Introduction to World Literature: 1600's through Twentieth Century | 3 | |
| Introduction to Women's Literature | 3 | |
| Film as Literature | 3 | |
or ENGL 291H | Film as Literature - Honors | |
| Children's Literature | 3 | |
or ENGL 293H | Children's Literature - Honors | |
| Introduction to Shakespeare | 3 | |
| Literature of the Bible | 3 | |
| Total Units | 19-20 | |
2-Year Curriculum Map Example
This map represents one possible pathway through the program and is only for reference.
*It is highly recommended that you make an appointment to create a customized education plan that fits your needs.
Note: Co-requisite MATH course (2 units) and/or substitute ENGL 101E (5 units) may be needed based on placement.
| Fall Term 1 | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 101 or ENGL 101H |
Reading and Composition or Reading and Composition - Honors |
4 |
| MATH 160 |
Mathematics for Everyday Living - A Liberal Arts Course or Introductory Statistics or Introductory Statistics - Honors |
4 |
| ARCH 250 |
History of Architecture: Prehistory to Mannerism or History of Architecture: Baroque to the Present Day or Art History - Fundamentals of Global Art History or Art History - Topics in Contemporary Art or History of Photography or Introduction to the Visual Arts or Motion Picture Appreciation or Motion Picture Appreciation - Honors or History of Dance or History of Rock and Roll or Introduction to Theatre Arts or Introduction to Theatre Arts - Honors |
3 |
| KIN 170 |
Fitness for Life or Health and Wellness or Health and Wellness - Honors or Introduction to Nutrition |
3 |
| Units | 14 | |
| Winter Term 1 | ||
| ENGL 103 or ENGL 103H |
Composition and Critical Thinking or Composition and Critical Thinking - Honors |
3 |
| Units | 3 | |
| Spring Term 1 | ||
| ENGL 251 or ENGL 252 |
Introduction to English Literature I or Introduction to English Literature II |
3 |
| ETHN 101 or ETHN 116 |
Introduction to Ethnic Studies or Introduction to Chicano/Latino Studies |
3 |
| ENGL 261 or ENGL 262 |
Introduction to U.S. American Literature I or Introduction to U. S. American Literature II: 1865-The Present |
3 |
| FREN 101 |
French I or German I or Spanish I or Spanish I - Honors |
5 |
| Units | 14 | |
| Summer Term 1 | ||
| POLI 103 or POLI 103H |
American Government and Politics or American Government and Politics - Honors |
3 |
| Units | 3 | |
| Fall Term 2 | ||
| ENGL 251 or ENGL 252 |
Introduction to English Literature I or Introduction to English Literature II |
3 |
| ANTH 212 & 212L |
Introduction to Physical Anthropology and Introduction to Physical Anthropology Lab |
4 |
| FREN 102 |
French II or German II or Spanish II or Spanish II - Honors |
5 |
| Units | 12 | |
| Winter Term 2 | ||
| SPCH 100 |
Interpersonal Communication or Interpersonal Communication - Honors or Public Address or Public Address - Honors |
3 |
| Units | 3 | |
| Spring Term 2 | ||
| ENGL 102 | Introduction to Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 271 or ENGL 272 |
Introduction to World Literature: Ancient - Early Modern or Introduction to World Literature: 1600's through Twentieth Century |
3 |
| ASTR 116 |
Stellar Astronomy or Earth Science or Physical Geology or Physics in Everyday Life or Physics in Everyday Life - Honors |
4 |
| HIST 107 |
History of the United States before 1877 or History of the United States before 1877 - Honors or History of the United States since 1877 or History of the United States since 1877 - Honors or History of the African-Americans to 1876 or History of the African-Americans since 1876 or History of Women in the United States |
3 |
| Units | 13 | |
| Total Units | 62 | |
Note: Course selections may affect total unit value.
Career Opportunities
There are a variety of careers you can do with this major.
To explore more about this major, schedule an appointment with a career counselor.