English

English as an academic discipline comprises several sub-disciplines, allowing students to tailor the program to suit a variety of professional goals. Graduates typically pursue careers in teaching, media, publishing, technical writing and other fields, or they go to graduate/professional schools in law, literary studies, linguistics, and so forth. Students in the major choose from three options or emphases, Applied Language Studies, Literary Studies, or English Education. All of our programs combine the study of literature and linguistics with intensive practice in rhetoric, writing, argument, and oral communication to develop these crucial skills and ensure that our graduates have a strong record of executive success. The department offers the following programs in English:

English Major: Applied Language Studies option

This option provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to investigate relationships between language and the everyday world as well as solve problems related to language issues in public policy, education, and business.

English Major: Literary Studies option

This option focuses on the literatures and cultures of Britain and the United States, preparing students for careers in publishing, public relations and advertising, old and new media, and writing, or for graduate study in Law, English, American Studies, Linguistics, Applied Linguistics, or Cultural Studies.

English Major: Education option

English Education is a California Commission for Teacher Credentialing-approved program preparing students for single subject credential programs to become secondary level English teachers.

English Minor

An English minor can bring significant competitive advantages to majors in other fields. One of the most common and persistent complaints among employers is that college graduates lack the verbal skills to advance beyond entry-level positions to management and executive positions. This flexible program of study allows you to hone key skills such as research, argument, analysis, rhetoric, and public speaking, and serves as an ideal complement to a wide variety of majors.

TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) Minor

This program prepares graduates to teach in the numerous ESL programs at schools, colleges, and community organizations throughout the Los Angeles basin, or to teach overseas.

Writing Studies Minor

This program increases students’ competence and fluency in writing, reading, and editing, so that they can succeed in a variety of academic, scientific, and business careers.