Completion of the English major involves taking a total of 16 classes spread across the 10 different required categories. Course offerings vary from quarter-to quarter, but traditionally we have been able to offer at least one course per category during every quarter of the academic year. This means that it is very easy to get the classes you need to graduate. Please review this page and scroll to the bottom to review the Important Notes & FAQ's about different aspects of your major/degree requirements. Check out the video below to find your way around the different sections of this page!
Once you're done viewing the guide, download our worksheet below (PDF) help you plan your schedule!
First Step
- Category #1 - Complete an Intro Writing Course (1 class required)
- All students must start the major by completing an introductory writing course. The options include taking one of the following:
- ENL 3 - Intro to Literature
- UWP 1 - Expository Writing
- A 4 or 5 on the AP English Literature or Language tests (a score of 4 or 5 will award you course credit for ENL 3 or UWP 1, and thus fulfill this requirement.
- An equivalent course. Please note that the lower division writing courses listed under the College's Composition Requirements are eligible to count as equivalent courses: NAS 5, COM 1-4, etc... *If you are looking to change your major to English and believe you have already completed an equivalent course to ENL 3 or UWP 1, please consult an English major advisor. - What do I take after Step #1?
- 90% of English courses have only a single prerequisite - the requirement that you do an intro writing course. This means that once you finish Category #1, you may move on to either lower or upper division classes, regardless of your class standing. With that said, while it is not required, it is strongly recommended that one finish the Prepatory Subject Matter (aka "Lower Division Requirements") before moving on to the rest of the major. Consult your advisor to see what's best for you, but the primary takeaway here is that English courses do not need to be taken in a specific order or at a specific time. After you complete Category #1, you may go on to do virtually any course in Category #2-9 (Category #10 classes have additional prerequisites).
Lower Division Requirements
- Category #2. Introductory Topics (1 class required)
- Complete one introductory topics course from the following list (specific topics are variable from quarter to quarter).
ENL 40, Introductory Topics in Literature
ENL 41, Introductory Topics in Literature & Media
ENL 43, Introductory Topics in Drama
ENL 44, Introductory Topics in Fiction
ENL 45, Introductory Topics in Poetry - Category #3. Introductory Survey Classes ( 3 classes required)
- Complete all three of the following historical survey courses. Note that while these classes are not prerequisites for one another, it is recommended (not required) that you take these classes in order.
ENL 10A, Literatures in English I: to 1700
ENL 10B, Literatures in English II: 1700-1900
ENL 10C, Literatures in English III: 1900-Present
Upper Division Requirements
- Category #4. Literary Theory (1 class required)
Students must take one of the following literary theory classes.
ENL 110A, Introduction to Literary Theory
ENL 110B, Introduction to Modern Literary and Critical Theory
- Category #5. Pre-1800 Classes ( 3 classes required)
Choose THREE total classes from this box. At least ONE of those classes must be one of the three medieval topics (denoted with a “♦♦♦”)
ENL 111, Medieval Literature ENL ♦♦♦
ENL 113A, Chaucer: Troilus and "Minor" Poems♦♦♦
ENL 113B, Chaucer: The Canterbury Tales♦♦♦
ENL 115, Topics in 16th & 17th Century Literature
ENL 117, Shakespeare
ENL 122, Milton
ENL 123, Topics in 18th Century British Literature
ENL 142, Early American Literature
ENL 150A, British Drama to 1800
ENL 155A, 18th Century British Novel
ENL 185A, Literature by Women before 1800
- Category #6. 19th Century Literature (1 class required)
ENL 130, British Romantic Literature
ENL 133, 19th Century British Literature
ENL 143, 19th Century American Literature to the Civil War
ENL 144, Post-Civil War American Literature
ENL 155B, 19th Century British Novel
ENL 158A, The American Novel to 1900
ENL 181A, African American Literature to 1900
ENL 185B, Literature by Women 1800-1900
- Category #7. 20th & 21st Century Literature (1 class required)
ENL 125, Topics in Irish Literature
ENL 137, British Literature 1900-1945
ENL 138, British Literature 1945-Present
ENL 146, American Literature 1900-1945
ENL 147, American Literature 1945 to the present
ENL 150B, Drama from 1800 to the present
ENL 154, The Graphic Novel
ENL 155C, 20th Century British Novel
ENL 156, The Short Story
ENL 157, Detective Fiction
ENL 158B, The American Novel from 1900 to the present
ENL 166, Love & Desire in Contemporary American Poetry
ENL 167, 20th Century African American Poetry
ENL 168, 20th Century American Poetry
ENL 181B, African-American Literature 1900-present
ENL 185C, Literature by Women after 1900
- Category #8. Race & Ethnicity (1 class required)
ENL 139, Topics in Global Literatures and Cultures
ENL 140, Topics in Postcolonial Literatures & Culture
ENL 141, Topics in Diasporic Literatures & Migration
ENL 145, Reading Race, Class, & Gender
ENL 167, 20th Century African American Poetry
ENL 178, Topics in Nations, Regions, and Other Cultural Geographies
ENL 179, Topics in Comparative American Literatures
ENL 181A, African American Literature to 1900
ENL 181B, African American Literature 1900-present
ENL 182, Literature of California
- Category #9. Language, Media and Literature (1 class required)
ENL 105, History of the English Language
ENL/LIN/UWP 106, English Grammar
ENL 107, Freedom of Expression
ENL 120, Law & Literature
ENL 126, Food & Literature
ENL 160, Film as Narrative
ENL 162, Film Theory & Criticism
ENL/STS 164, Writing Science
ENL 169, Memoir & Life Writing
ENL 174, The Bible as Literature
ENL/CDM/STS 172, Video Games & Culture
ENL/STS 173, Science Fiction
ENL 180, Children's Literature
ENL 183, Young Adult Literature
ENL 184, Literature & Environment
ENL 186, Literature, Sexuality, and Gender
Choose an emphasis to complete the major
- What is an Emphasis?
- Most majors will have specific categories of classes required, but there is inevitably a kind of "choose your own adventure" section of any set of major requirements. Some majors call this a “track” or a “specialization”. In English, we call this metaphorical fork in the road a choice of “emphasis”. There are two options for a major emphasis (“Literature, Criticism & Theory” or “Creative Writing”). Each emphasis is represented below under its own box in Category #10. You must complete at least one emphasis, but you do not need to complete both. Students will receive transcript notation for each emphasis they complete.
- Category #10. Complete 1 of the boxes below. (3 classes required)
Literature, Criticism & Theory Creative Writing
aka "The Critical Emphasis" aka "The CW emphasis"
Total Number of classes required: 3
Special Prerequisites: Students must complete category #4 (literary theory), before taking an advanced studies course.
Students who who wish to complete this emphasis must finish 3 courses:
- Two advanced studies courses from the class list below.
- One "Free Choice" class (see definition below).
See below for an important overview of seminar courses (noted with a ♦), as well as information about the honors thesis classes.
Take 2 of the following Advanced Studies Courses:
149 – Topics in Literature
153 – Topics in Drama
159 – Topics in the Novel
163 – Literary Study in the British Isles
165 – Topics in Poetry
171 – Game Studies Seminar
177 – Study of an Individual author
187A ♦ – Topics in Literature & Media
188A ♦ – Topics in Literary & Critical Theory
189 ♦ – Seminar in Literary Studies (*can only take one)
194H – Special Study for Honors Student (See Honors Thesis note below)
Take one "Free Choice" course:
The third course for this emphasis is a “Free Choice" class. Any upper division English class is eligible to satisfy this requirement. That means any class labeled 100-189 & also course 195H (See Honors Thesis note below to read about 195H).What is a Seminar? Unlike a traditional lecture, the content and direction of which are usually framed and led by the instructor, a seminar requires individual participants to take significant responsibility for the emphases and outcomes of class meetings. Students interested in enrolling in a seminar should expect to contribute their responses to the weekly readings and to share the fruits of their own researches at every class meeting.
*Students are asked to take no more than one seminar course.
Total Number of classes required: 3
Special Prerequisites: Completion of at least one English 5 (lower division Creative Writing workshop), and submission of an application to every individual workshop a student wishes to take. (See below & read the FAQ for important tips about applying)
Students who wish to complete this emphasis must take 3 upper division Creative Writing workshops (ENL 100's). ENL 100's are repeatable for credit, so you may apply to each workshop multiple times; however, completion of this emphasis requires workshops from at least 2 different genre's of the 3 (Fiction, Non-Fiction, and/or Poetry)
100F – Creative Writing: Fiction
100NF – Creative Writing: Non-Fiction
100P – Creative Writing: Poetry
Creative Writing Advanced Courses:
In order to be admitted into an Advanced Creative Writing course, one must apply. Please email voorhiesadvising@ucdavis.edu for application information.
100FA – Creative Writing: Advanced Fiction
100NA – Creative Writing: Advanced Non-Fiction
100PA – Advanced Creative Writing: Poetry
Note: students completing an honors thesis in Creative Writing are required to take one special section of either Fiction or Poetry (100FA or 100 PA). You must review the Honors Thesis FAQ (and webpage) for full details.
FAQ
- What if I miss my pass appointment?
- https://youtu.be/NU4HPVdgTHY
- I'm interested in taking advanced studies courses - what is a seminar course?
- What is a Seminar? Unlike a traditional lecture, the content and direction of which are usually framed and led by the instructor, a seminar requires individual participants to take significant responsibility for the emphases and outcomes of class meetings. Students interested in enrolling in a seminar should expect to contribute their responses to the weekly readings and to share the fruits of their own researches at every class meeting.
- How do I learn more about the English Department Honors Thesis Program?
Students who have a 3.5+ gpa in the major will be invited to apply for the Honors Thesis Program. (See our Honors Program page for more info). Full information is on that page, but here are a few takeaways in the meantime.
There are two tracks for the Honors thesis, one for the “Critical Emphasis” and one for the “CW” emphasis. Students who complete the Critical emphasis will, after completing at at least one advanced studies course, take a 194H course before completing a 195H special project. 194H is eligible to count towards the “advanced studies courses” for their emphasis. 194H & 195H are each eligible to count as the "Free Choice" class.
People pursuing a CW honors thesis will likewise enroll in a special section of advanced CW workshop, either 100PA or 100FA, which they are invited to take during their penultimate ("Junior") year. These students then go on to complete a 195H special project. For people completing a CW thesis, 100PA/FA count towards their required CW workshops; however, 195H does not count as a workshop.
- Why are the Creative Writing classes called "workshops"?
- Creative Writing classes here at UC Davis are not like other courses. They are called workshops because each CW class is going to involve you drafting original creative works and sharing those works with the class. This process of give-and-take feedback with a small class is called “workshopping”, hence the name “CW workshop”. While taking a workshop sounds intimidating, many students really enjoy these courses, and we encourage you to take one if you are at all curious. There are two levels of CW workshops offered - English 5’s & English 100’s. Additionally, each workshop will have a specific genre it focuses on: Fiction (F); Non-Fiction(NF); or Poetry(P). Because each individual workshop is a unique experience, one may repeat ENL 5's & ENL 100's for full credit. For example, one could take ENL 5F twice, or apply to ENL 100P twice, and if enrolled (or accepted, receive full units for the course both times.
- Are Creative Writing classes repeatable? Do I have to apply every time I want to take a workshop?
Yes & yes. One of the unique benefits of the workshop format is that because each workshop is a different group of people with different materials, both ENL 5’s & ENL 100’s may be repeated for credit multiple times. This means, for example, that students who wish to complete the emphasis may take 2 100F’s and both of those workshops will count for towards the three classes needed for the CW emphasis. However, it is worth noting that one must take workshops from at least two different genre’s to complete the emphasis, and that furthermore, one must submit an application to every individual workshop they wish to take. Meaning, if one has taken 100F in fall and wishes to repeat it in Spring, that’s okay, but they must submit a new application, and if they complete a second 100F, they will then need to do 100P or 100NF to complete the emphasis.
- Why do I have to apply to the upper division CW workshops (ENL 100's)? What are you looking for in a creative writing sample?
The CW workshops at UC Davis are very popular courses, but the nature of the workshop format places a real practical limit on the number of available seats in these courses. While the lower division English 5's are open on a first-come, first-serve basis, students are admitted to 100-level workshops based on the strength and quality of the writing samples submitted for evaluation.
100 level classes are taught by experienced writers who have written and published books. The writers who teach these classes are also currently working on writing projects; they have experience writing and editing; they read widely and deeply; they care about good writing, and they seek it out. A "strong writing sample" should be: engaging to read, reflect an interest in language, and demonstrate a level of polish. Whether it be a short story, a nonfiction essay or a group of poems, a sample is expected to be: a completed piece of work, free of spelling errors, checked for typos, and submitted in a legible 10 or 12 point font.
While we regret that we cannot admit every interested writer in a given quarter, we do want you to feel encouraged! We strongly urge you to apply early, and keep applying if you do not get placed in a class the first time around.
- How can I learn more about opportunities to showcase my writing?
- There are so many! Please check out our Department Contests page.
- Does this page cover all my requirements for graduation
- No. The above is a checklist of English major requirements. Students are also subject to University and College requirements. Namely, GE's, foreign language, Upper Division Composition & Unit requirements (students must have a minimum 180 units to graduate, 64 of which must be upper division units (any class #100-199)).
Check with the College of Letters & Science Dean's Office regarding other College & University requirements and/or to ask for what's called a "degree check". You can also use mydegree.ucdavis.edu to confirm where you are at with College & University requirements.) - I'm doing the Critical Emphasis. Can my "free choice" course be a literature course from another department?
- Literature is taught in many departments outside of English. English majors pursuing the Literature, Criticism, and Theory emphasis may substitute one upper-division literature course from a different department for their free choice course. Many courses in comparative literature, individual foreign language and literature (Spanish, German, etc.), and ethnic and gender studies qualify, including: Chicana/Chicano Studies 154, 155, and 156; Asian American Studies 121 and 130; Native American Studies 181ABC, 184, 185, and 188; African and African American Studies 152, 153, and 157; and Women and Gender Studies 178a-f, 179, and 180. This is not an exhaustive list, and there are many additional courses that might be accepted for elective credit depending on the approach and reading list. Consult the undergraduate advisor for approval before proceeding.
- Do I have to "declare" an emphasis? Can I do both of them?
- No, no need to declare an emphasis. Simple as that, as long as you finish one or the other, and you'll graduate. But yes, you can do both if you like! No special process, just take the correct classes, and you'll be good.
- How can I learn more about Study Abroad?
- Check out our study abroad page - with videos & links to different programs!
- How do I complete the ENL 3 prerequisite?
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fenglish.ucdavis.edu%2F&source_ve_path=Mjg2NjQsMTY0NTAz&feature=emb_share&v=Hrtzf2JOHdA