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English

Simply put, students of English learn to read, understand, interpret and anlyze various forms of literature. But the study of literature encompasses much more than developing essential reading and writing skills; it allows students to explore what it means to be human, to be alive, to be creative, to be part of a culture, a society, and a tradition. English majors being their program of study by taking an introductory literature course in fiction, poetry, or drama and a lower division course in literary criticism. The English program is a vital component of the HNU curriculum because it offers students the opporunity to appreciate established literary traditions while also introducing them to new worlds of literature and contemporary methods of interpretations.

  • Curriculum
  • Careers & Outcomes
  • Faculty

Bachelor of Arts in English
Bachelor of Arts in English with a focus in Comparative Literature
The Minor

Bachelor of Arts in English

Preparation for the Major

  • ENGL 40(W) Approaches to Literature

Plus one course selected from

  • ENGL 20 Fiction
  • ENGL 21 Poetry
  • ENGL 22(W) Dramatic Literature

Major Requirements (24 upper-division units)

  • ENGL 114(W) Shakespeare
  • ENGL 130 19th Century American Literature
  • ENGL 131 20th Century American Literature
  • ENGL 146 Major British Writers before 1800
  • ENGL 147 Major British Writers after 1800
  • ENGL 151 Children’s Literature
  • ENGL 175 Literature in Translation or ENGL 148 Selected Topics in British Literature

Plus one course selected from:

  • ENGL 108(W) Professional Writing
  • ENGL 116 Modern American English

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Bachelor of Arts in English with a focus in Comparative Literature

Preparation for the Major

  • ENGL 40(W) Approaches to Literature

Plus one course selected from

  • ENGL 20 Fiction
  • ENGL 21 Poetry
  • ENGL 22(W) Dramatic Literature

Major Requirements (24 upper-division units)

  • ENGL 114(W) Shakespeare
  • ENGL 130 19th Century American Literature
  • ENGL 131 20th Century American Literature
  • ENGL 146 Major British Writers before 1800
  • ENGL 147 Major British Writers after 1800
  • ENGL 151 Children’s Literature
  • ENGL 175 Literature in Translation or ENGL 148 Selected Topics in British Literature

Plus one course selected from:

  • ENGL 130 19th Century American Literature
  • ENGL 131 20th Century American Literature

Plus a minimum of one additional upper-division English course, and three upper-division courses in literature written in Spanish. (ENGL 175 may substitute for one of the three if the readings are done in the original language.)

Students will also compile a portfolio of representative work and participate in a faculty-directed colloquium.

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The Minor

Two courses selected from:

  • ENGL 20 Fiction
  • ENGL 21 Poetry
  • ENGL 22(W) Dramatic Literature
  • ENGL 40(W) Approaches to Literature

Four courses (12 units) selected from:

  • ENGL 114W Shakespeare
  • ENGL 130 19th Century American Literature
  • ENGL 131 20th Century American Literature
  • ENGL 146 Major British Writers before 1800
  • ENGL 147 Major British Writers after 1800
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English provides valuable preparation for any career that requires the ability to think analytically, speak effectively, write precisely, and understand issues from differing points of view. The major is valuable for those entering law, human resources management, government, sales and marketing, or public information services. English majors interested in teaching and securing a Single Subject Credential in English have the benefit of the HNU program that is approved by the California State Commission on Teacher Credentialing. English majors are encouraged to pursue a second major, a minor, or a concentration in an area complementary to the major and advantageous in terms of various career options: business, communications, computer science, or foreign languages.

Faculty

Patricia McMahon, PhD

Yale University (Yale Drama School)
Professor of Communication, Drama, English
510-436-1231
mcmahon@hnu.edu

Daniel W. Schmidt, PhD

Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
Associate Professor of English
510-436-1507
schmidt@hnu.edu

Adjunct Faculty

Katherine Cogan Kovach, M.A.

Holy Names University
Instructor of English
510-436-1281
kovach@hnu.edu

Francesca Cabrini Weber, snjm, PhD

University of California, Berkeley
Associate Professor of Biological Science
510-436-1255
weber@hnu.edu

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