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!
- Category 1 - 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 003: Introduction to Literature
- UWP 001: Introduction to Academic Literacies
- 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: CMN 001; COM 001, 002, 003, 004, or NAS 005 - Lower division prerequisite:
- 90% of English courses have only a single prerequisite (category 1). Once you finish Category 1, you may move on to the remaining lower division courses.
Lower Division Requirements
- Category 2. Early English Literary History: (4 units)
- ENL 10A, Literatures in English I: To 1700
- Category 3. Introductory Topic Courses in Genre, Method, and History (Choose 2; 8 units)
- Complete TWO introductory topics course from the following list. Topics are listed on our department website.
ENL 40, Introductory Topics in Literature
ENL 41, Introductory Topics in Literature & Media
ENL 42, Approaches to Reading
ENL 43, Introductory Topics in Drama
ENL 44, Introductory Topics in Fiction
ENL 45, Introductory Topics in Poetry - Category 4. Exploratory Topics in English (choose one 3-4 unit course)
- ENL 51, Hip Hop as Poetry
ENL 52, Pop Culture Shakespeare
ENL 53, Youth in Revolt
ENL 54, Literature, Health, and Medicine
ENL 56, Speculative Fictions
ENL 57, Literatures of Climate Change
ENL 59, Racial Imaginaries
ENL 46, Topics in Creative Writing
ENL 50, Careers in English
ENL 72, Introduction to Games - Category 5. Literary Theory (choose one; 4 units)
- The first upper-division course we recommend is ENL 110A or ENL 110B. Category 5 not only completes the final 10% of the program’s prerequisites, but either course satisfies the College of Letters and Science’s Upper Division Writing Requirement.
ENL 110A, Introduction of Literary Theory
ENL 110B, Introduction of Modern Literary and Critical Theory - Category 6. Literature before year 1700 (choose one; 4 units)
- ENL 105, History of the English Language
ENL 111, Topics in Medieval Literature
ENL 113A, Chaucer: Troilus and the "Minor" Poems
ENL 113B, Chaucer: The Canterbury Tales
ENL 115, Topics in 16th & 17th Century Literature
ENL 117, Shakespeare
ENL 122, Milton
ENL 150A, British Drama to 1800 - Category 7. Literature 1700-1945: (choose 1; 4 units)
- ENL 123, 18th- Century British Literature
ENL 125, Topics in Irish Literature
ENL 130, British Romantic Literature
ENL 133, 19th Century British Literature
ENL 137, British Literature, 1900-1945
ENL 142, Early American Literature
ENL 143, 19th Century American Literature to the Civil War
ENL 144, Post-Civil War American Literature
ENL 146, American Literature 1900-1945
ENL 150B, Drama from 1800 to the Present
ENL 155A, 18th- Century British Novel
ENL 155B, 19th Century British Novel
ENL 156, The Short Story
ENL 158A, The American Novel to 1900
ENL 185B, Literature by Women 1800-1900 - Category 8. Literature and other Media after 1945 (choose one; 4 units)
- ENL 138, British Literature 1945-Present
ENL 146, American Literature 1900-1945
ENL 147, American Literature 1945 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 160, Film as Narrative
ENL 162, Film Theory and Criticism
ENL 166, Love & Desire in Contemporary American Poetry
ENL 167, 20th Century African American Poetry
ENL 168, 20th Century American Poetry
ENL 169, Memoir and Life-Writing
ENL 170, Narrative Game Design
ENL 171, Game Studies Seminar
ENL 172, Video Games and Culture
ENL 173, Science Fiction
ENL 174, The Bible as Literature
ENL 180, Children's Literature
ENL 181B, African-American Literature 1900-present
ENL 183, Young Adult Literature
ENL 185C, Literature by Women after 1900 - Category 9. Literature, Identity, and Difference: (choose one; 4 units)
- 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
ENL 185A, Literature by Women before 1800
ENL 185B, Literature by Women from 1800-1900
ENL 185C, Literature by Women after 1900 - Category 10. Electives (choose two courses; 8 units)
- Upper division English courses, ENL 105-189
Category 11. Choose an emphasis to complete the major:
Students are required to complete at least one emphasis, but may choose to complete both. Each completed emphasis will be noted on the transcript.
- (11) Literature, Criticism, and Theory Emphasis (choose three courses; 12 units)
- Take one additional English course (lower- or upper-division, three- or four-unit) course as an elective.
Take two of the following Advanced Studies courses, exploring emerging and interdisciplinary topics in literary studies:
ENL 120, Law and Literature
ENL 126, Food and Literature
ENL 149, Topics in Literature
ENL 153, Topics in Drama
ENL 159, Topics in the Novel
ENL 164, Writing Science
ENL 165, Topics in Poetry
ENL 177, Study of an Individual Author
ENL 184, Literature and the Environment
ENL 186, Literature, Sexuality, and Gender
ENL 187A, Topics in Literature and Media
ENL 188A, Topics in Literary and Critical Theory
ENL 189, Seminar in Literary Studies (course may not be repeated for credit)
ENL 194H, Seminar for English Department Honors Program admit in Literature Criticism, and Theory - (11) Creative Writing Emphasis (choose three courses; 12 units)
- ENL 46, Topics in Creative Writing
ENL 100F, Creative Writing: Fiction
ENL 100NF, Creative Writing: Non-Fiction
ENL 100P, Creative Writing: Poetry
By application only:
ENL 100FA, Creative Writing Advanced Fiction
ENL 100NA, Creative Writing Advanced Non-Fiction
ENL 100PA, Creative Writing Advanced Poetry
CW Advanced Course Application - Does this page cover all my requirements for graduation?
- No. The above constitutes a list of English major requirements. Students are also subject to University and College requirements, including General Education (GE), foreign language, and unit requirements. Students must complete a minimum of 180 total units to graduate, at least 64 of which must be upper-division units (courses numbered 100–199).
- Students should check with the College of Letters & Science Dean’s Office regarding additional College and University requirements including Entry Level Writing (ELWR), lower and upper division writing requirements, or the writing placement exam.
Also, Letters and Science Dean’s Office Advisors manage pass/no pass limitations, dropping a course after the deadline (PTD), withdrawing from the quarter, academic intervention, simultaneous enrollment requests, PELP, readmission, and more. - Letters and Science Advisors
Undergraduate Education and Advising
1207 Social Science and Humanities Building (map link)*
Phone: 530-752-0392
Drop-in Express Advising:
Monday: 9:00 a.m. – noon, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 10:00 a.m. – noon, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. – noon, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – noon, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:00 a.m. – noon, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Academic Advising Appointments
Make an advising appointment - Course substitution policy:
- Literature is offered in multiple departments beyond English:
English majors pursuing the Literature, Criticism, and Theory emphasis may, with prior approval, substitute one upper-division literature course from another department for the free-choice requirement. Appropriate courses may include those offered in Comparative Literature; foreign language and literature departments (e.g., Spanish, German); and Ethnic and Gender Studies.
Representative examples include: Chicana/Chicano Studies 154, 155, and 156; Asian American Studies 121 and 130; Native American Studies 181A–C, 184, 185, and 188; African and African American Studies 152, 153, and 157; and Women and Gender Studies 178A–F, 179, and 180.
The courses listed above are not exhaustive. Additional courses may be considered for elective credit based on course content, approach, and assigned readings. Approval from the undergraduate advisor is required prior to enrollment. - Do I have to "declare" an emphasis? Can I do both of them?
- The English major does not require a formal declaration process for selecting an emphasis. Students are encouraged to complete ENL 110A or ENL 110B and/or ENL 46 before deciding between the Creative Writing emphasis and the Literature, Criticism, and Theory emphasis.
Students are strongly encouraged to consider pursuing a double emphasis. Those interested should consult with an advisor to develop an appropriate academic plan. - Study Abroad?
- Global learning at UC Davis is a combination of local, regional, national, and international experiences which develop key skills, knowledge, and networks that help you build global awareness, engage global diversity, and pursue collaborative and equitable global action.
At the Hub you can learn about:
Study Abroad
Global Internships and Research
Discover Programs
Funding Search
Contact - How can students learn about career pathways and prepare for employment?
- Students are encouraged to explore career pathways and employment preparation through campus resources, including the Career Center, internships, and faculty advising. Consultation with an academic advisor can assist students in aligning coursework with career goals and identifying relevant experiential opportunities.
The Department of English offer a lower division major course titled: Careers in English with Professor Martín (ENL 50) partners with the UC Davis Career Center and is connected to a student success program developed in collaboration with academic advising. Students are encouraged to consult with an advisor for additional information.
Career Center at UC Davis
Undergraduate Research
Job and Internship Search
Networking
Resumes and Materials
Interviews and Offers
Join/login to Handshake - I want to go apply for a Graduate program or other Professional Schools.
- Students are encouraged to explore opportunities for graduate study as well as a range of professional school pathways.
Voorhies Graduate Advisors: Viktor Pertl - Graduate Program Coordinator (Creative Writing), and Aaron Barstow - Graduate Program Advisor (English).
Pre-Law Advising for Law School
Pre-Grad Advising for Graduate School
Pre-Grad/Law Services & Events
Success Coaching and Learning Strategies - Need a writing tutor?
- Academic Assistance and Tutoring Centers
Aggie Grammar Guide
AATC Writing Support
Become a Tutor - Opportunities to showcase your writing:
- Please see our Department Awards and Prizes page.