English

Who Majors in English?

If you like to read, write, and think, English is the major for you. English majors develop a sense of the past, an analytical edge, a grasp of critical thinking, and an appreciation of literature and language. As an English major, you'll read a wide range of literature, then analyze, discuss, and write about what you read. You'll learn how poetry, drama, fiction, and argumentative prose work to tell stories, explore emotions, and exploit the resources of language. The major offers a variety of language-based areas: composition/literacy studies, creative writing, editing and publishing, and linguistics.

What Can I Do with an English Degree?

Many lawyers, journalists, writers, and business people prepared for their careers with studies in English. An English major will provide the humanities and communication background sought by thousands of employers.

What About an English Minor?

A minor in English provides an abbreviated version of the major, with elective courses in British and American literature, creative writing, modern literature, film, technical writing, linguistics, and literary editing.

A minor in creative writing gives you an opportunity to study the tradition and craft of poetry, fiction, and drama in writing workshops and modern literature classes.

A minor in linguistics provides a foundation for the study of languages; the human language capacity; the relationship between language, culture, and society; and the acquisition of English as a second language.

Interested in Teaching?

The Single Subject Teaching Credential Pattern offers pre-professional preparation for those considering teaching English and language arts at the junior high and high school levels. Advising is mandatory.

Honors in English

If you perform well in the major courses and are motivated, you may pursue an individual research project with a faculty member whose area of expertise matches the topic you wish to study.

Certificate Programs

The Certificate in Literary Editing and Publishing offers training in editing, selection standards, publishing procedures, graphics, printing technologies, and marketing/distribution of literature. Students edit Watershed literary magazine and a poetry chapbook; and serve as editorial interns with local and regional publishers. See details at http://www.csuchico.edu/engl/editingcertificate/. The Certificate in Literary Editing and Publishing is currently suspended.

The Certificate in Teaching College-Level Writing offers high school and college composition teachers new approaches to the teaching of writing and theories of rhetoric, linguistics, and composition. The program includes practicums in teaching college-level basic writing, and optional practicums in ESL, literary editing, and secondary teaching.

The Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) provides training in the theory and practice of TESOL, with application to a wide variety of teaching circumstances.

Internship Program

Internships help students prepare for business, industry, and government jobs by providing practical experience that sharpens communication skills and establishes contacts in the local business community. Interns work with local newspapers, radio stations, journals, newsletters, publishers, and non-profit associations.

Faculty and Facilities

The English department has a nationally acclaimed faculty with teaching and research specialties in every area of the discipline. The department maintains a computer laboratory. Because class sizes are small and the campus is residential, you have the opportunity to work closely with faculty in courses and on special projects.