English AA Degree Program

English Associate in Arts Degree Program

Related Degrees & Certificates

Program	Units
AA-T Associate in Arts Degree for Transfer
English for Transfer	60 units

Career Opportunities

An Associate degree in English can lead to exciting careers in web development, print and online publishing, paralegal and law, marketing, academia, business, psychology and social work. At any level of study, English majors gain writing, critical thinking, and soft skills, valuable in the modern collaborative workplace.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students completing this program will be able to:

Composition Courses: Write focused, organized, well-developed, and text-based essays using effective paragraphs, which support a clear thesis statement, and demonstrate competence in standard English grammar and usage.
Composition Courses: Demonstrate critical reading, writing, and thinking skills through analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of important ideas.
Composition Courses: Effectively evaluate and fluidly integrate relevant sources, using appropriate research strategies and tools, and documenting them according to MLA guidelines.
Literature courses: Demonstrate an understanding of a broad range of literary works from the period and/or genre by analyzing major themes and literary techniques.
Literature courses: Write analytical, unified, text-based essays using the conventions of literary analysis and criticism, and effectively integrating and documenting sources according to MLA guidelines.

Program Overview

The Associate in Arts in English provides community college students practice in writing mechanics and text analysis in order to pursue the many professions that demand strong reading and writing skills. In addition to our core composition courses, literature courses deepen student understanding of literary traditions and their relevant contexts, by exploring the motivations and creative processes of a variety of English-language writers. The diverse themes presented in English and Literature courses examine the economic, political, social justice issues affecting our nation and the world, and explore the contributions of groups traditionally marginalized by society. Completion of this curriculum will demonstrate commitment to the serious study of English and Literature in practice and in theory and will provide comprehensive preparation for upper-division work.

Program Requirements

Required Core Courses (6 units):		Units
ENGL 110	Composition, Literature, and Critical Thinking	3 units
ENGL C1001	Critical Thinking and Writing	3 units

Plus a selection of 12 units from the following, 6 units of which must be literature courses:		Units
ENGL 103	Applied English Skills for Cultural Production I	3 units
ENGL 104	Applied English Skills for Cultural Production II	3 units
ENGL 161	Creative Writing I	3 units
ENGL 162	Creative Writing II	3 units
FILM 100	Introduction to Film	3 units
JOUR 120	Writing and Reporting for the Media	3 units
JOUR 121	Advanced Writing and Reporting for the Media	3 units
LIT. 101	Contemporary Literature	3 units
LIT. 154	Queer Literature	3 units
LIT. 155	Comics and the Graphic Novel	3 units
LIT. 201	American Literature I	3 units
LIT. 202	American Literature II	3 units
LIT. 231	Survey of British Literature I	3 units
LIT. 232	Survey of British Literature II	3 units
LIT. 265	Asian American Literature	3 units
LIT. 266	Black Literature	3 units
LIT. 267	Filipino American Literature	3 units
LIT. 370	Readings in Literature of the Latino in the United States	3 units
LIT. 432	Folklore	3 units

Total Required Major Units: 18

And required General Education coursework and electives as needed to meet the minimum 60 units required for the Associate degree.

Please refer to the AA/AS Degree Requirements for more information.

Rotation of Literature Courses

Literature courses are offered in an online format.

Listed below are tentative Literature offerings for the upcoming semesters.

Fall 2025

LIT. 201: American Literature I

LIT 155: Comics and the Graphic Novel

Spring 2026

LIT. 202: American Literature 2

LIT. 265: Asian American Literature

Summer 2026

LIT. 370: Latinx Literature

LIT. 432: Folklore