Our literature program offers solid preparation for students transferring to a four-year college or university as well as personal intellectual growth for all students. You may choose from a broad spectrum of courses ranging from British, American, and Ethnic literature to subjects such as images of women in literature, children's literature, folklore, and mythology

Students discuss a book with their English professor.


Engl 24 A Literature in Translation
Reading and discussion of the literature of a specific nationality / culture, emphasizing the unique qualities of that national / cultural identity. Historic, social, cultural, and geographic background.
Engl 25A Interpreting Modern Literature
Reading and discussion of poetry, fiction, drama, and film, chiefly modern. Techniques involved in these literary forms
Engl 25C Images of Women in Literature
This course will examine the varied images of women presented in prose, poetry, and drama by both men and women
Engl 25D Science Fiction and Fantasy
Introduction to major themes and motifs of science fiction and fantasy in 19th and 20th century fiction.
Engl 25E Literature of Horror (Gothic Novel)
Reading and discussion of recurring motifs and archetypes in the Gothic novel and short stories of horror; analysis of the psychological implications of such types as the doppelganger, the shadow, the anima. The course traces the Gothic mode from its origin in superstition and magic through the contemporary emphasis on the distorted or violated psyche
Engl 25F Comedy and Literature
Introduction to comedy in Literature and / or film. Examination of comic world view as well as comic structures, plots, characters, situation, and language. Exploration of the social implications of comedy.
Engl 25G Mystery and Crime Fiction
A survey of the detective story as it has evolved from Edgar Allen Poe to the Golden Age of the Detective Story.
Engl 25H American Journeys
Fictional and non-fictional accounts of recent journeys in search of identity and the sights, people, and meaning of America
Engl 251 Post-Colonial Literatures
Introduction to works that explore post-colonial experience and consciousness by authors primarily from the developing world, including Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America
Engl 25J Utopian and Dystopian Literature
A survey of major utopian and dystopian works of literature from ancient society to contemporary culture.
Engl 26 Literary Criticism
Introduction to theory and practice of literary criticism. Application of major critical theories to selected texts
Engl 30A American Literature
Significant works of American poetry and prose from the colonial period through the Civil War.
Engl 3OB American Literature
Significant works of American poetry and prose from the Civil War to 1945
Engl 30C American Literature
Significant works of American poetry and prose from 1945 to the present.
Engl 34 Major Novelist
Intensive study of a single novelist
Engl 35 Major Dramatist
Intensive study of a single dramatist.
Engl 36 Major Poet
Intensive study of a single poet
Engl 37 Major Critic
Intensive study of a single critic
Engl 44A Masterpieces of Literature
Reading and discussion of masterpieces of literature from the Classical period to the Middle Ages
Engl 44B Masterpieces of Literature
Reading and discussion of masterpieces of literature from the Renaissance through the Romantic Age
Engl 44C Masterpieces of Literature
Reading and discussion of masterpieces of literature from the Age of Realism and Naturalism to the Modern era
Engl 45A, 45B Literature of the Bible
Reading and discussion of books of the Old and New Testaments, religious-social-political ideas, literary qualities, and textual problems.
Engl 46A English Literature
Survey: Beowulf to Johnson
Engl 46B English Literature
Survey: Romantic Movement (1798) to the present
Engl 47 Mexican and Chicano Literature
Literary, social, and historical aspects of essay, novel, drama, short story, and poetry in English translation written by Mexican and Chicano writers with a survey of other relevant Latin American literary works.
Engl 48 Asian Literature
Reading and discussion of selected works of historical and / or modern imaginative literature from one or more Asian cultures
Engl 49A Film, as Dramatic Literature
Critical analysis of film types, directors, movements, national cinemas. Close examination of films through lecture, discussion, and writing
Engl 49B Film as Dramatic Literature
Critical analysis of film types, directors, movements, national cinemas as they reflect societal issues, historical periods, ethnic and cultural views, and value systems through documentary and dramatic presentation. Close examination of films through lecture, discussion, and writing.
Engl 50 Afro-American Literature
Literary, social and historical aspects of essay, novel, drama, short story, poetry, and oral tradition authored by African Americans.
Engl 51 Native American Mythology and Literature
Reading and discussion of selected works from mythology and literature of Native Americans; some discussion of history and art, but major emphasis on mythology, fiction, poetry, and autobiography
Engl 52 Asian American Literature
Literary, social, and historical aspects of essay, novel, drama, short story, and poetry written by Asian American authors.
Engl 53 Interpreting of Poetry
Reading and discussion traditional, modern, and contemporary poems
Engl 54 California Literature
Literary and historical perspectives of fiction, biography, journals, and letters about California by California writers.
Engl 57 Modern Drama
Reading and discussion of continental, British, and American drama from Ibsen to the present. Representative plays by Strindberg, Chekhov, Pirandello, O'Neill, Shaw,' Brecht, Beckett, Genet, Pinter, Albee. Major theatrical movements: naturalism, symbolism, expressionism
Engl 58 Queer Literature
Examines the literature, history, and lives of LGBTQ+ authors, poets, and playwrights. With a queer studies lens, this course examines the intersections of queer identity with race, politics and socioeconomic class.
Engl 59 Children's Literature
Reading and analysis of selected stories for young children and of selected critical evaluations of children's literature. Recommended for Child Development students, library tech students, writers of children's literature, and parents, but open to all students.
Engl 60 Masterpieces of Drama
Representative dramatic literature from the ancient Greeks to contemporary theater. Form, content, philosophical and historical perspectives, and criticism. Discussion, written analysis, and instructional trips. Class will attend several theater performances in the Los Angeles area. The class will examine plays by representative playwrights from Sophocles to Tony Kushner. Local actors and directors will participate in class sessions. Prerequisite: eligibility for English 1A
Engl 61 Introduction to the Novel
Reading and analysis of selected classic and contemporary novels
Engl 78A, 78B Introduction to Shakespeare
Reading and discussion of 12 to 16 tragedies, comedies, histories. Selections from the Sonnets.
Engl-82A Introduction to Mythology
Fertile Crescent (Old European, Minoan, Greek, Sumerian, Hebrew, Egyptian) mythologies. Emphasis on development of consciousness as reflected in archaeological artifacts and literary texts.
Engl 82B Introduction to Mythology
Historical and thematic exploration of mythology of one major cultural or geographical area other than Fertile Crescent.
Engl 82C Introduction to Mythology
Intensive study of a single body of traditional narrative, such as the Arthurian cycle, double, motifs, quest motifs folk tales fairy tales
Engl 135 From Page to Performance
Reading and viewing of plays performed in off-campus locations. Approaching the printed text; approaching the stage performance, relationship of text to performance.

The English major prepares students for careers in teaching, publishing, writing, business, law and many other fields that uses writing skills and a broad background in the humanities. Choose between our AA Degree or AA-T Degree to pursue a degree.


Literature Studies | Associate in Arts (AA) Degree

Earn a degree. By completing the AA Degree in Literature Studies, you will study and further your understanding of literary history, cross-cultural interpretations, and current discussions in theory

View AA Degree Requirements


English | Associate in Arts for Transfer (AA-T) Degree

Earn a degree AND transfer. By completing the AA-T Degree in English,you will finish the general education requirements as well as the lower division major requirements for a Bachelor of Arts degree in English prior to transferring to a Cal State University

View AA-T Degree Requirements

Use the PCC Transfer Tool to explore recommended courses accepted by major colleges and universities.

Visit OnlineEnglishDegree.com for an Accredited Online English Degree Guide.