The study of English offers students an opportunity to develop critical thinking and writing skills necessary for success in both the academic and professional worlds. It also nurtures an appreciation of the literary arts. Reading, thinking, and writing about the human experience provide a vital foundation for further education and professional success.
Since English composition courses are designed to help students write the kinds of papers commonly required in college courses, students should take their English classes as early as possible.
Career Opportunities
Advertising/Marketing, Analyst, Archivist, Business, Copywriter, Creative Writer, Editor, Educator, Journalist, Lobbyist, Law Clerk, Lawyer, Librarian, Management, Magazine Writer, Mixed Media, Politician/Diplomat, Professor, Proofreader, Public Relations, Researcher, Social Media, Teacher, Technical Writer, Writer
Faculty
Adell, Tim
Campbell, Bryce
Cole, Megan
Fisher, Jamie
Francev, Peter
Franklin, Nathan
Golder, Patricia
Morgan, Brittany
Mott, Justin
Pendleton, Joseph
Solis, Judy
Wagenhoffer, Joshua
Transfer
- California State University, San Bernardino: English major
- University of California, Riverside: English major
For the most up-to-date information on these programs and others, visit assist.org. Please stop by the Transfer Center in Building 23 or make an appointment with a counselor if you have questions.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, students should be able to:
- Read Critically: Analyze texts (such as: non-fiction, fiction, drama, and poetry) within the conventions of genre, language, and rhetorical devices; read college-level texts for main points and supporting material; understand rhetorical strategies used in college-level texts.
- Think Critically: Analyze a variety of sources for purpose, content and style; evaluate source material for reliability; select and synthesize source material to support an argument.
- Write Effectively: Produce a variety of college level writing projects which demonstrate an understanding of purpose, audience, coherence, clarity and style; assemble and synthesize diverse ideas from textual sources to create a unified essay, project, or oral presentation; assess, revise and edit writing projects to meet the conventions of academic discourse.
English Courses
In this course, students receive instruction in academic reading and writing, including writing processes, effective use of language, analytical thinking, and the foundations of academic research.
Lecture Hours: 72.0
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
In this course, students receive instruction in critical thinking for purposes of constructing, evaluating, and composing arguments in a variety of rhetorical forms, using primarily non-fiction texts, refining writing skills and research strategies developed in ENGL C1000 Academic Reading and Writing (or C-ID ENGL 100) or similar first-year college writing course.
Prerequisite(s): ENGL-C1000/ENGL-101/ENGL-101.0 or ENGL 101H, Minimum grade C
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
The course prepares students for the academic demands of their Associates degree. Students learn to set their academic and career goals and develop skills for college level reading and writing assignments.
Lecture Hours: 13.5
Transfer: Not transferable
English 81 focuses on developing vocabulary, study skills, reading comprehension and critical thinking skills with college level reading materials from English 101. Emphasis is placed on active reading and study skills including study methods, vocabulary development, reading comprehension and critical thinking. The strategies apply contextually to materials being presented in the associated co-requisite English 101 course.
Co-requisite(s): ENGL 101.0
Lecture Hours: 36.0
Transfer: Not transferable
The course covers the principles and methods of research and expository writing with a variety of materials from different academic disciplines. Students read and analyze college level materials and compose expository essays that demonstrate critical thinking skills and an understanding of rhetorical strategies. , UC.
Lecture Hours: 72.0
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
Principles and methods of expository writing. Analytical reading of source materials and writing of expository essays. Honors seminar will require more advanced resources and more complex assignments than ENGL 101.0.
Lecture Hours: 72.0
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
An introduction to the genres of literature including short story, poetry, drama and novel. Further training in writing, especially about literature. C-ID: ENGL 120(ENGL LIT 100).
Prerequisite(s): ENGL-101 or ENGL-101H, Minimum grade C
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
An introduction to the genres of literature including short story, poetry, drama and novel. Further training in writing, especially about literature. C-ID: ENGL 120(ENGL LIT 100).
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 101.0 or ENGL 101H, Minimum grade C
Lecture Hours: 54.0; Lecture Hours: 3.38
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
Further training in writing, critical theories and research, and an introduction to the short story, novel, drama and poetry. This course takes the methods of English 102.0 and promotes more comprehensive analysis, research, discussion and writing assignments. (UC credit limitation). C-ID: ENGL 120(ENGL LIT 100).
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 101.0, Minimum grade C
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
This course is designed to develop the student's critical thinking, reading and writing skills beyond the level achieved in ENGL 101.0 or ENGL 101H. It will focus primarily on the analysis and evaluation of expository and argumentative discourse, and on writing analytical and argumentative essays. C-ID: ENGL 105(ENGL 115).
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 101.0 or ENGL 101H, Minimum grade C
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
This course is designed to develop the students' critical thinking, reading and writing skills beyond the level achieved in ENGL 101.0 or ENGL 101H. It will focus primarily on the analysis and evaluation of expository and argumentative essays. Honors seminar will deepen students' insights. C-ID: ENGL 105(ENGL 115).
Prerequisite(s): ENGL-101 or ENGL-101H, Minimum grade C.
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
Principles of creative expression. Topics may cover fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and/or drama. Grade Option. , UC
Recommended Preparation: ENGL 101.0
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
A survey of playwrights from the Greeks to the present. The selected plays are read, discussed, and analyzed. Crosslisted with TA 116.
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
A study of selected texts from various special topics. Each section of 128 will focus on a special topic such as The Byronic Hero, Victorian Women Writers, Crime and Detective Fictions, Science Fictions, Film as Literature, Millennial Voices, etc. Designed to provide an understanding of structures, motifs, themes, and cultural resonance within the special topic area.
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 101.0 or ENGL 101H, Minimum grade C
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
Cooperative Education is a key element of Victor Valley College's comprehensive approach to career development. Cooperative Education is a 16-, 12-, or 8-week course that enables students to receive college credit for paid or unpaid work opportunities. This course helps students gain valuable on-the-job work experience while providing practical education, best practices in professional development, and academic guidance through the course of their work opportunity. The combination of practical experience and curricular development empowers students to be more competitive, efficient and valuable employees upon completion of this program and/or their academic program trajectory. The course is ideal for students who are cross-training at their current worksite for upward mobility or seeking career changes, as well as those looking for entry-level occupational training through work-based learning experiences such as through an internship. Cooperative Education transforms community businesses, industries, and public agencies into expanded educational training laboratories. Credit is awarded on the basis of learning objectives completed and the number of hours the student trains. Students must create/complete new learning objectives each semester they enroll. Students may utilize their present work sites.
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
Beginnig principles of writing fiction, focusing on the short story and the novel.
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
This workshop-style course addresses intermediate principles of writing fiction, focusing on the short story and the novel. Grade option.
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
A workshop-style course which includes a review of poetic forms, techniques, and revision strategies. Grade option.
Lecture Hours: 54.0; Lecture Hours: 3.38
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
This workshop-style course addresses intermediate principles of writing poetry, focusing on poetic forms, techniques, and revision strategies. Grade option.
Lecture Hours: 54.0; Lecture Hours: 3.38
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
Twentieth century literature, chiefly of England and the United States, emphasizing novels and short stories.
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 101.0 or ENGL 101H, Minimum grade C
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
British and American poetry with consideration of versification, structure, imagery, diction, themes, and genres.
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 101.0 or ENGL 101H, Minimum grade C
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
A survey of exemplary items in the origin and development of American thought and culture from 1600 to 1865. Designed to provide an understanding and appreciation of American literary achievements through the study of the works of representative writers including Bradford, Bradstreet, Edwards, Wheatley, Franklin, Irving, Poe, Stowe and Emerson. Also includes a study of Native-American folk tales and slave narratives. C-ID: ENGL 130.
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 101.0 or ENGL 101H, Minimum grade C
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
A survey of exemplary items in the origin and development of American thought and culture from 1865 to the present. Designed to provide an understanding and appreciation of American literary achievements through study of the works of great writers including Whitman, Dickinson, Twain, Frost, Welty, Thurber, Tan and others. C-ID: ENGL 135.
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 101.0 or ENGL 101H, Minimum grade C
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
Introduction to the Mexican-American/Latinx cultural experience through literary analysis of fiction, poetry, drama, and the essay. Studies literature in the context of literary-historical-political growth of Mexican-American/Latinx identity and of current theories of analyzing multicultural writings.
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 101.0 or ENGL 101H, Minimum grade C
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
An introductory survey course of African-American oral and written literary traditions.
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 101.0 or ENGL 101H, Minimum grade C
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
An introduction to Native American Literature from the oral tradition to contemporary writing. Study of myths and legends, traditional oral narratives and songs, transitional forms such as oration and autobiography, and written genres (poem, short story, novel).
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 101.0 or ENGL 101H, Minimum grade C
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
A survey of children's literature, emphasizing folktales, narrative fiction, poetry and some non-fiction works. Also includes the history and development of literature and illustration for children, the selection of materials for various age groups, and literature and the media. , UC
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 101.0 or ENGL 101H, Minimum grade C
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
Masterpieces of world literature and their cultural contexts from ancient times through the early Renaissance. C-ID: ENGL 140(ENGL LIT 180).
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 101.0 or ENGL 101H, Minimum grade C
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
Masterpieces of world literature and their cultural contexts from the Renaissance until the present. C-ID: ENGL 145(ENGL LIT 185).
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 101.0 or ENGL 101H, Minimum grade C
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
Mythology explores Greek and Roman myths using the works of Hesiod, Homer, Virgil and Ovid. We cover the history and cultures of the classical world through the stories on the origins and actions of gods and heroes.
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 101.0, Minimum grade C
Lecture Hours: 54.0; Lecture Hours: 3.38
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
A survey of major British writers from the Middle Ages through the Eighteen Century, including a study of literary and historic contexts. Special consideration of Chaucer, Shakespeare, Milton and Pope. C-ID: ENGL 160(ENGL LIT 160).
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 101.0 or ENGL 101H; Minimum grade C
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
A survey of major British writers from the Romantics and their contemporaries through the 20th century, including a study of literary and historic contexts. Special consideration of Wordsworth, Eliot and Auden, for example. C-ID: ENGL 165.
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 101.0 or ENGL 101H, Minimum grade C
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
An introduction to Shakespeare's work through a study of his principal plays and the sonnets.
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 101.0, Minimum grade C
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to both UC/CSU
This course covers the theoretical concepts and practical issues involved in tutoring various levels of writing. Students develop an understanding of the issues and practices relevant to the role of tutoring writing through observing, reading, and discussing the relationship between the writer, his/her writing, the tutor, the classroom teacher, and the classroom environment.
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 101.0 or ENGL 101H, Minimum grade C
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
This is an interactive course that analyzes the techniques of tutoring writing. Students will examine the role of writing tutors in one-on-one conferences, discuss tutoring theory, and observe tutors in the Writing Center and/or composition instructors in the classroom. Pass/No pass.
Prerequisite(s): ENGL 101.0, Minimum grade C
Lecture Hours: 36.0
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only