The study of English develops skills in reading analytically and perceptively and in writing clearly and effectively. Students major in English by taking courses in a wide variety of media, genres, topics, and historical periods. All students are introduced to the major by completing 20 units spread over courses in writing, any one of many topics courses, and the gateway series to the English major that covers “Literature in English” from the earliest medieval texts to the present. Students then build their own path through the major depending upon their particular interests, eventually completing 44 more units covering different historical periods, methods of theory and criticism, and thematic focuses. After a shared set of courses, students choose to specialize either in Literary Criticism and Theory or Creative Writing. All majors have the opportunity to work with distinguished writers, critics, scholars, and teachers.
English majors learn how to:
Graduates have found the major excellent pre-professional training for careers in teaching, writing, law, medicine, library work, journalism, and more. Many graduates are employed in publishing, marketing, advertising, or the tech sector. Others have worked in local, state, and federal government agencies, as well as in industry. Many have gone on to graduate study in a wide range of fields including English, education, counseling, and more.
G. Bloom, S. Boluk, S. Chaganti, Z. Clemmons, J. Clover, L. Corin, G. Dobbins, F. Dolan, K. Frederickson, P. Houston, H. Hsu, M. Jerng, X. Lee, D. Martín, J. Marx, T. Menely, C. Milburn, E. Miller, A. Naffis-Sahely, K. Peterson, M. Ronda, M. Stratton, M. Vernon, C. Waters, T. Werth, R. Zecena, M. Ziser
All new and prospective English majors are encouraged to see an undergraduate staff advisor, individually, once per year, at minimum.
Students who contemplate advanced study in English should prepare for foreign language requirements for higher degrees and should consult with the graduate advisor.
See English or the Departmental Advising Office in 177/179 Voorhies Hall.
A Senior Honors Program is available to an invited group of English majors, who prepare and write a Senior Thesis (either a research paper or creative writing) in their final year. The critical honors program consists of 4 units of 194H and 4 units of 195H, normally taken during fall and spring quarters of the senior year. The creative writing honors program consists of 4 units of 100FA or 100PA, normally taken during spring quarter of the junior year, and 4 units of 195H, normally taken winter quarter of the senior year. Completion of the program is a prerequisite for High or Highest Honors at graduation. Eligibility criteria and application materials may be obtained at the Undergraduate Advising office in 177 Voorhies Hall or see English. For more details, see Graduation Honors.
The department strongly encourages interested students to pursue their studies abroad. It is possible for students to complete significant portions of the English major provided that the course is evaluated as at least 4 UC Davis units; the course is considered upper division by the standards set forth by UC Davis Study Abroad; and the student presents copies of the coursework, syllabus, and writing assignments to the department’s advising staff.
A major in English qualifies students for subject matter preparation for the teaching credential.
Students must have met the Entry Level Writing Requirement before taking any course in English.
ENL 003 or UWP 001 is required for admission into all preparatory courses ( ENL 040 , ENL 041 , ENL 043 , ENL 044 , ENL 045 , ENL 010A , ENL 010B , ENL 010C ), and all upper division courses, unless otherwise stated in the course listings. COM 001 , COM 002 , COM 003 , or COM 004 or NAS 005 may normally be substituted for ENL 003 or UWP 001 .
Up to 4 upper division units in a literature class outside of English may count toward the requirements of the major.
The major requirements below are in addition to meeting University Degree Requirements & College Degree Requirements; unless otherwise noted. The minimum number of units required for the English Bachelor of Arts is 64.
