English BA
Total Units Required: 120
The Department of English offers a Bachelor of Arts in English with three options:
The option in English education. This option is designed for students considering teaching English and language arts at the middle school and high school levels. This option provides pre-professional preparation in the subject matter knowledge needed by California English teachers. When combined with the Minor in Secondary Language Arts, this option fulfills all requirements for the Single Subject Matter Preparation Program in English, which will lead to a California teaching credential. If students who finish this option choose not to pursue a teaching credential, they leave the program as highly skilled writers, presenters, and analysts who are positioned to work in a variety of careers.
The option in English studies. This option provides students with a breadth of knowledge of English’s sub-disciplines (composition and rhetoric, creative writing, linguistics, and literature) as well as an opportunity to focus on a specific area of interest. This option pairs well with the department’s minor and certificate programs and provides excellent preparation for careers in business, education, publishing, and nonprofit settings where effective communication and critical problem-solving skills are valued.
The option in literature. Students gain extensive knowledge of American, British, comparative, and multicultural literature and cultures. Students in this option take a range of courses that hone their analytical skills, expand their understanding of critical theories, and enrich their understanding of literary movements. This option is excellent preparation for graduate study in English, as well as for professional programs such as law and medicine. Like those in the other English options, graduates of the literature option leave the program with marketable skills valued by businesses, educational institutions, publishers, marketers, and related career fields.
Advising Requirement
Advising is mandatory for this program. Consult your department advisor or program coordinator for information.
E-advising Tools
Use the interactive e-advising tools designed to help students graduate within four years. These tools can be accessed through the Student Center in the Portal.
Grading Requirement
All courses taken to fulfill program course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as credit/no credit grading only.
Course Requirements for the Major: 43-46 units
Completion of the following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, is required of all candidates for this degree. Courses in this program may complete more than one graduation requirement.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Major Core | ||
| ENGL 220W | Beginning Creative Writing (W) 1 | 4 |
| ENGL 315 | Introduction to Literary Editing and Publishing | 4 |
| ENGL 335W | Rhetoric and Writing (W) | 3 |
| ENGL 340 | Approaches to Literary Genres | 3 |
| ENGL 371 | Principles of Language | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Introduction to Literacy Studies | ||
| Theory and Practice in Tutoring Composition | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Survey of Early British Literature | ||
| Survey of Later British Literature | ||
| Survey of Early American Literature | ||
| Survey of Later American Literature | ||
| Major Option | ||
| Select one of the following options: | 20-22 | |
| Total Units | 43-46 | |
- 1
Transfer students who take the equivalent of ENGL 220W may complete the major in as few as 42 units for the English studies option or 43 units for the English education or literature options.
Major Option Course Requirements
Students must select at least one of the following options for completion of the major course requirements.
The Option in English Education: 21 units
The option in English education, when combined with the Minor in Secondary Language Arts, fulfills all requirements for the Single Subject Matter Preparation Program in English, which will lead to a California teaching credential. See the Single Subject Matter Teaching Credential section for additional information.
Note: Students pursuing the option in English education must take the following two GE courses:
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 375 | Introduction to English Grammar | 3 |
| ENGL 441W | Shakespeare (W) | 3 |
| ENGL 470 | Theory and Practice of Second Language Acquisition | 3 |
| ENGL 534W | Literature, Language, and Composition: A Synthesis (W) | 3 |
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Courses selected may not count toward any other requirement. | ||
| Survey of Early British Literature | ||
| Survey of Later British Literature | ||
| Survey of Early American Literature | ||
| Survey of Later American Literature | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Modern World Literature | ||
| Teaching Multicultural Literature | ||
| Total Units | 21 | |
The Option in English Studies: 20-22 units
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| English Studies Course Groups | ||
| Select one of the following groups of courses and complete the requirements for that group. | 12-14 | |
| Electives | ||
| Select eight units from any upper-division English (ENGL) course 1 | 8 | |
| Total Units | 20-22 | |
- 1
Select from any upper-division English (ENGL) course (except ENGL 499) not used to satisfy any other requirement in the major.
Creative Writing, Literary Editing and Publishing
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Select three of the following: | 12 | |
| Poetry Writing (W) | ||
| Fiction Writing (W) | ||
| Creative Nonfiction Writing (W) | ||
| Editing Literary Magazines | ||
| Chapbook Production | ||
| Total Units | 12 | |
General Studies
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Multicultural Literature: Issues and Themes | ||
| Literature, Politics, and Activism | ||
| American Ethnic and Regional Literature in Focus (W) | ||
| Studies in Major American Authors | ||
| Modern World Literature | ||
| Teaching Multicultural Literature | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Introduction to Technical Writing (W) | ||
| Introduction to Digital English Studies | ||
| Theory and Practice in Tutoring Composition | ||
| Issues in Rhetoric | ||
| Cultural Rhetorics | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Poetry Writing (W) | ||
| Fiction Writing (W) | ||
| Creative Nonfiction Writing (W) | ||
| Editing Literary Magazines | ||
| Advanced Poetry Writing | ||
| Advanced Fiction and Nonfiction Writing | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Semantics: Language and Meaning | ||
| Sociolinguistics | ||
| Total Units | 13-14 | |
Linguistics
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Select four of the following: | 12 | |
| Theory and Practice of Second Language Acquisition | ||
| Syntactic and Morphological Analysis | ||
| Phonological Analysis (W) | ||
| Semantics: Language and Meaning | ||
| Sociolinguistics | ||
| Total Units | 12 | |
Literature
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Multicultural Literature: Issues and Themes | ||
| Literature, Politics, and Activism | ||
| American Ethnic and Regional Literature in Focus (W) | ||
| Studies in Major American Authors | ||
| Modern World Literature | ||
| Teaching Multicultural Literature | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Classical Literature | ||
| Bible, Literature, and Culture | ||
| Early British Literature | ||
| Later British Literature | ||
| Early American Literature | ||
| Later American Literature | ||
| History of the English Language | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to English Grammar | ||
| Fiction and the Supernatural | ||
| The Bildungsroman: Novels of Development | ||
| Modern Poetry | ||
| The Modern Novel | ||
| History of the English Language | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Survey of American Film (W) | ||
| Comics and Graphic Novels | ||
| Development of British Drama | ||
| Modern Drama | ||
| Total Units | 12 | |
Writing Studies
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Select four of the following: | 12-13 | |
| Courses selected may not count toward any other requirement | ||
| Introduction to Technical Writing (W) | ||
| Introduction to Digital English Studies | ||
| Introduction to Literacy Studies | ||
| Environmental Rhetoric (W) | ||
| Theory and Practice in Tutoring Composition | ||
| Issues in Rhetoric | ||
| Cultural Rhetorics | ||
| Professional Writing for Organizations | ||
| Applied Rhetoric | ||
| Total Units | 12-13 | |
The Option in Literature: 21 units
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Literature Surveys | ||
| Courses selected may not count toward any other requirement. | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Survey of Early British Literature | ||
| Survey of Later British Literature | ||
| Survey of Early American Literature | ||
| Survey of Later American Literature | ||
| Methods | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Chaucer and His Age (W) | ||
| Shakespeare (W) | ||
| Literary Theory and Criticism | ||
| Literature and Diversity | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Multicultural Literature: Issues and Themes | ||
| Literature, Politics, and Activism | ||
| American Ethnic and Regional Literature in Focus (W) | ||
| Studies in Major American Authors | ||
| Modern World Literature | ||
| Teaching Multicultural Literature | ||
| Literature, History, and Culture | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Classical Literature | ||
| Bible, Literature, and Culture | ||
| Early British Literature | ||
| Later British Literature | ||
| Early American Literature | ||
| Later American Literature | ||
| History of the English Language | ||
| Language, Form, and Genre | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to English Grammar | ||
| Fiction and the Supernatural | ||
| The Bildungsroman: Novels of Development | ||
| Modern Poetry | ||
| The Modern Novel | ||
| History of the English Language | ||
| Media, Text, and Performance | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Survey of American Film (W) | ||
| Comics and Graphic Novels | ||
| Development of British Drama | ||
| Modern Drama | ||
| Total Units | 21 | |
Electives Requirement
To complete the total units required for the bachelor's degree, select additional elective courses from the total University offerings. You should consult with an advisor regarding the selection of courses which will provide breadth to your University experience and possibly apply to a supportive second major or minor.
Honors in the Major
Honors in the Major is a program of independent work in your major. It requires six units of honors coursework completed over two semesters.
The Honors in the Major program allows you to work closely with a faculty mentor in your area of interest on an original performance or research project. This year-long collaboration allows you to work in your field at a professional level and culminates in a public presentation of your work. Students sometimes take their projects beyond the University for submission in professional journals, presentation at conferences, or academic competition. Such experience is valuable for graduate school and professional life. Your honors work will be recognized at your graduation, on your permanent transcripts, and on your diploma. It is often accompanied by letters of commendation from your mentor in the department or the department chair.
Some common features of Honors in the Major program are:
- You must take six units of Honors in the Major coursework. All six units are honors courses (marked by a suffix of H), and at least three of these units are independent study (399H, 499H, 599H) as specified by your department. You must complete each course with a minimum grade of B.
- You must have completed 9 units of upper-division coursework or 21 overall units in your major before you can be admitted to Honors in the Major. Check the requirements for your major carefully, as there may be specific courses that must be included in these units.
- Your cumulative GPA should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
- Your GPA in your major should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.
- Most students apply for or are invited to participate in Honors in the Major during the second semester of their junior year. Then they complete the six units of coursework over the two semesters of their senior year.
- Your honors work culminates with a public presentation of your honors project.
Honors in the Major is not part of the Honors Program. Each department administers its own program. Please contact your major department or major advisor to apply.
Honors in English
Honors in English recognizes excellence in the major and offers an opportunity for high-achieving and motivated students to conduct independent research or produce creative work under the guidance of a faculty member. Honors students work with a faculty member (Thesis Director) whose area of expertise is relevant to the thesis topic and will produce a substantial paper or collection of work. Projects in all department areas (literary studies, rhetoric, literacy, English education, linguistics, professional and creative writing, etc.) are welcome.
To be admitted to Honors in English:
- You must have completed 3 units of 400-level coursework in English and 12 units in the major core.
- Your cumulative GPA should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of English majors.
- Your GPA in your major should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of English majors.
NOTE: Students interested in writing a creative thesis (fiction, poetry, drama, or creative non-fiction) must demonstrate significant progress toward the Minor in Creative Writing.
Honors Coursework
ENGL 599H Honors Senior Thesis, is a 6-unit independent study course. Honors students take two semesters of ENGL 599H (three units each semester) during the final two semesters of study. The Honors thesis typically involves (1) research on scholarly topic, (2) a curriculum development project, or (3) creative writing (fiction, creative non-fiction, or poetry). Proposed projects that do not fit into these three categories should be discussed with the Honors Advisor for consideration. Page length for scholarly and curricular work may vary and will be determined in consultation with the student, Thesis Director, and Honors Advisor. For creative writing, students write either 30 pages of fiction or creative non-fiction with a ten-page critical introduction, or 20 pages of poetry and a ten-page critical introduction. Students work closely and regularly with the Thesis Director and meet each semester to ensure appropriate progress.
During the second semester, students present the results of their research or creative work to an audience of faculty and students, either at the English Graduate Student Council Symposium or at another approved event. A close-to-final draft of the thesis should be ready at that time. It will be read by the Thesis Director, Honors Advisor, and the Department Chair.
Students must receive a B or higher in the first semester of ENGL 599H in order to proceed to the second and final semester of the project. Students must receive a B or higher in the second semester of ENGL 599H and maintain a B average in all major courses to receive Honors in the Major credit. Successful completion of all Honors in the Major requirements will be noted on the student's permanent academic record, and the student will receive a certificate of completion from the Department.
Application Procedures
- Meet with the Honors Advisor to discuss your progress towards degree and ideas for an Honors thesis.
- Meet with a potential Thesis Director. This should be a faculty member in English who specializes in your area of interest and who has expressed a willingness to work with you on your project. Be prepared to give a sense of the general direction your research or writing will take. The Thesis Director then writes a letter of support for English Honors study, addressed to the Honors Advisor.
- Finalize a topic and write a one-page proposal describing your intended project. Submit this proposal to the Honors Advisor.
- Once the Thesis Director, Honors Advisor, and Department Chair have approved your proposed project, fill-out, sign, and submit the ENGL 599H Independent Study form to enroll in your first three units of the English Honors program.
See Bachelor's Degree Requirements for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 39 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.
General Education Requirements: 43 units
See General Education and the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education requirements and course offerings.
American Institutions Course Requirements: 6 units
The American Institutions graduation requirement, as mandated in Title 5, Section 40404, requires that students satisfactorily complete courses in United States history, the US Constitution, and government and American ideals (including California state and local government). At Chico State, HIST 130 meets the US history requirement (US-1), and POLS 155 meets the US Constitution and government requirement (US-2) and the California state and local government requirement (US-3). POLS 155 also fulfills three units of GE Area 4, Social and Behavioral Sciences. See Bachelor’s Degree Requirements for more information.
Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units
You must complete a minimum of two courses that focus primarily on cultural diversity. At least one course must be in US Diversity (USD) and at least one in Global Cultures (GC). See Diversity Requirements for a full list of courses. Many courses taken to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education.
Upper-Division Writing Requirement
Writing Across the Curriculum (EM 17-009) is a graduation requirement and may be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of four Writing (W) courses, two of which are designated by the major department. See Writing and Math Requirements for more details on the four courses. The first of the major designated Writing (W) courses is listed below.
- Any upper-division Writing (W) course.
The second major-designated Writing course is the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GW) (EO 665). Students must earn a C- or higher to receive GW credit. The GE English Composition (1A) requirement must be completed before a student is permitted to register for a GW course.
Definition of Blended Programs
A blended bachelor's and master's degree program combines an existing Chico State bachelor's degree with an existing Chico State master's degree; the blended program allows up to 12 units of the graduate program units to be double-counted at the undergraduate level, for a minimum of 138 units to receive both degrees. Students who complete a blended program will receive both a bachelor’s and master’s degree. Upon completion of 120 semester units and with the completion of all requirements for the bachelor's degree, students in blended programs will be awarded the bachelor's degree. Upon completion of the requirements for the master's degree, students will be awarded the master's degree.
Students interested in applying to a blended program must be enrolled in a bachelor's degree program at Chico State and must meet and maintain the minimum GPA of the existing master's degree entrance requirements for all bachelor's coursework completed at the time of the application to the blended program, or show promise to reach this level as determined by the program. Once admitted to the blended program, students shall not be required to apply for admission to the master's program.
Blended English BA + Language Teaching MA
The blended program allows students to count up to four courses (12 units) toward the bachelor’s degree in English and the master’s degree in language teaching. Once accepted into the blended program as an undergraduate, students take up to 12 units chosen in consultation with their undergraduate BA advisor and the Graduate Coordinator for the MA in language teaching.
Eligibility
The blended program is for highly motivated, well-qualified students. The program allows a student to apply after completing 60 units toward their bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 2.5.
Application Procedure
Application deadlines: April 1 for fall start, November 1 for spring start.
Students who meet the eligibility criteria may submit an application for admission to the blended program. Formal application through Cal State Apply is not necessary and the student is not required to pay an application fee. GRE scores are not required. Students must meet the requirements outlined below to change to blended graduate status and continue toward the master's degree.
Grading Requirement
Once in the blended program, students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA during their remaining undergraduate and graduate semesters.
Transition to Graduate Status
Students can transition to the graduate program after completing all undergraduate degree requirements with a minimum 2.5 GPA in all coursework. The Office of Graduate Studies and the Graduate Coordinator will verify graduate program eligibility at the end of the semester in which the bachelor's degree is completed. Qualified students change to graduate status effective the following semester.
Requirements for the Blended English BA + Language Teaching MA
The blended program allows ENGL 470 plus any three 400-600 level English (ENGL) courses (nine units) to count toward both degrees. Courses should be chosen in consultation with an advisor.