English

Interim Dean: Brooke Choo, PhD
Academic Co-Chairs, English: Lewis Long and Virginia Shank, PhD
Faculty: Lisa Alvarez; Brenda Borron; Daniel deRoulet, PhD; William Etter, PhD; Julie Evans; Melissa Garcia Knoll, PhD; Jeffrey Johnson, PhD; Rebecca Kaminsky; Emily Liu, PhD; Lewis Long; Kurt Meyer; Kay Ryals, PhD; Deanna Scherger, PhD; Summer Serpas; Virginia Shank, PhD

Courses

The department offers a range of courses for native speakers (non-native speakers of English are advised to take the ESL writing sequence). The English curriculum includes remedial and preparatory courses in reading and writing; college-level composition and reading courses for transfer and associate degree students; and courses in creative writing and literature. The curriculum emphasizes the integration of reading and writing throughout its courses, reflecting the faculty’s concern that students not divorce the study of language from the study of cultures nor lose sight of the uses or abuses of writing within a cultural context. The courses offered through the department meet general education and transfer requirements in English, critical thinking, literature, and humanities.

Major

Students majoring in English at the lower division level concentrate on learning how to interpret literature critically and imaginatively, and how to write prose that is clear, exact, and expressive. Thus the major is appropriate for students who desire or require the ability to be closely attentive to language and to its ramifications. Students anticipating careers in law, education, communications, governmental affairs, and business may find the English major especially helpful. The wide versatility of the English major makes it generally appropriate for students who career inclinations may be uncertain or indefinite, since the abilities one masters as an English major may be applied to a wide range of contexts and circumstances. The major is also designed for transfer students intending upper division study in literature, criticism, or related fields.

English majors at Irvine Valley College may elect an emphasis either in literature or in writing. In both cases, students should complete both Writing 1 and Writing 2 in fulfillment of language and rationality requirements within the general education package. The faculty recommends that English majors do not select a literature course to meet the humanities requirement for general education, but explore related subjects in the humanities that may be of interest to them.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Literature

Upon completion of the English program in literature, students will be able to

Interpret literature critically and imaginatively, and respond in writing that is clear, exact, and expressive.
Demonstrate through both speaking and writing how literature might embody and generate meaning, reflect and create culture, and engage the human imagination.
Analyze the major types of literary expression as well as recurrent conventions, concerns, and values central to literature and to the understanding of literary texts and contexts.
Possess knowledge of literary materials reflecting diversity in genre, historical period, and cultural expression.
Possess knowledge of foundational classical and modern texts; major literary periods and traditions; major genres and literary forms; and non-canonical texts, including those of marginalized peoples and emergent cultures whose literature has traditionally been ignored.

Writing

Upon completion of the English program in writing, students will be able to

Demonstrate proficiency in essential, course-appropriate skills in reading, research, critical and creative problem solving, speaking, and writing in order to produce, within a literary genre, original work that demonstrates an understanding of both the writing process and the stylistic craft choices of the genre.

Potential Careers

Employers and the marketplace value people who can write, research, organize, rewrite, and edit. English majors possess these skills. English majors learn to read and write carefully and thoughtfully, paying close attention to words, their exact meanings, and their connotations. Examples of careers include but are not limited to the following:

Administrative Assistant
Advertising Copy Writer
Arts Administrator
Attorney
Business Analyst
Communication Consultant
Copy Editor
Educator
Fiction Writer
Marketing Coordinator
Paralegal
Project Manager
Public Relations Office
Publications Editor
Reporter
Research Assistant
Technical Writer

Programs

Associate in Arts

Associate in Arts for Transfer

English for Transfer, AA-T

Catalog and Student Handbook

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