Discover the English Curriculum
English at USD offers a dynamic study of literature across historical periods, geographical boundaries and diverse political and social contexts. English courses teach critical reading, thinking, writing and research skills.
Major
English majors study literary texts that serve as a foundation for various traditions and cultures and to hone critical reading and writing skills. Students can pursue the creative writing emphasis and also have the senior project option that provides in-depth study in their chosen area.
Minor
The English minor teaches students foundational courses in English as well as various elective courses on special topics.
There is also the Creative Writing minor that gives students the opportunity to enhance their education in the liberal arts.
Explore English Courses
Read descriptions of our current English classes on our Courses page! Not all courses highlighted will be available every semester. Make sure to check course offerings on the registration portal for each upcoming semester.
Program Requirements
Each student declares their major(s) and minor(s) under a single catalog of record that is identified on the student's degree audit (available on Degree Works).
The program requirements below are based on the current course catalog and may not be applicable if a student is declared in an earlier catalog.
Find all previous course catalogs under on our Archived Catalogs of Record page.
45 units
Major
18 units
Minor
Major unit estimates include preparation for the major units as well as major requirements.
- Major
- Minor
- Learning Outcomes
- FAQs
Preparation for the Major
Lower-Division | ||
ENGL 250 | Literary Foundations | 3 |
or ENGL 222 | Poetry | |
ENGL 260 | Critical Reading | 3 |
Select 6 units from the following: | 6 | |
ENGL 220 | Studies in Genre | |
ENGL 226 | Studies in Literary Traditions | |
ENGL 230 | Studies in United States Literature | |
ENGL 236 | Studies in World Literature | |
ENGL 240 | Shakespeare | |
Total Units | 12 | |
Major Requirements
Students majoring in English must satisfy the core curriculum requirements as set forth in this course catalog and complete all major requirements as presented in the following schedule:
Upper-Division (The department recommends that majors and minors complete the lower-division Literary Foundations and Critical Readings requirement before beginning upper-division work. We also recommend that the Advanced Writing course be taken in the junior year) | ||
ENGL 410 | Advanced Writing in the English Major | 3 |
Literary Histories - Select two of the following courses: | 6 | |
ENGL 311 | Genres and Traditions | |
ENGL 315 | Literary Periods | |
ENGL 319 | Topics in Literary Histories | |
Literary Cultures and Theories - Select two of the following courses: | 6 | |
ENGL 321 | Literature of Race, Gender and Sexuality | |
ENGL 323 | Perspectives on US Society | |
ENGL 325 | Literary Theory | |
ENGL 329 | Topics in Literary Cultures and Theories | |
Upper-Division Electives (18 units, including at least two Literature courses) | ||
Upper-Division Literature courses (Literature courses include ENGL 300, ENGL 311, ENGL 315, ENGL 319, ENGL 321, ENGL 323, ENGL 325, ENGL 329, ENGL 330, ENGL 331, ENGL 333, ENGL 335, ENGL 337, ENGL 338, ENGL 340, ENGL 341, ENGL 342, ENGL 343, ENGL 344, ENGL 348, ENGL 352, ENGL 355, ENGL 356, ENGL 357, ENGL 358, ENGL 359, ENGL 360, ENGL 362, ENGL 364, ENGL 366, ENGL 367, ENGL 368, ENGL 370, ENGL 372, ENGL 374, ENGL 377, ENGL 420, ENGL 495) | 6 | |
Additional Upper-Division electives (Additional upper-division electives may be fulfilled with any literature course or creative writing course. Up to six units may be Southeast San Diego Tutoring Program (ENGL 492), Writing Center Tutors (ENGL 493), or Internship (ENGL 498)) | 12 | |
Total Units | 33 | |
The Emphasis in Creative Writing
The creative writing emphasis in poetry, fiction or creative non-fiction builds upon the foundation established in ENGL 301 and prepares students for courses in the genre they choose to explore. More specifically, the creative writing courses help students realize the daily discipline, diligence, and concentrated attention required of the serious writer. They promote writing as an art, craft, and ultimately a vocation—one not to be entered into lightly. All students who continue from the introductory to intermediate and advanced levels also become more discerning readers.
Emphasis Requirement | ||
ENGL 301 | Introduction to Creative Writing | 3 |
Intermediate and Advanced courses in a single genre | 6 | |
ENGL 381 | Intermediate Poetry Writing | |
OR | ||
ENGL 382 | Intermediate Fiction Writing | |
OR | ||
ENGL 383 | Intermediate Creative Nonfiction Writing | |
Select 1 "crossover" course in a genre other than the student's specified genre from the following choices: | 3 | |
ENGL 381 | Intermediate Poetry Writing | |
ENGL 382 | Intermediate Fiction Writing | |
ENGL 383 | Intermediate Creative Nonfiction Writing | |
ENGL 385 | Topics in Creative Writing | |
THEA 365 | Playwriting | |
Total Units | 12 | |