English

English - A.A.-T Degree

The English Department’s mission is to serve the educational and career objectives of our community: We offer a range of classes addressing college-level reading and writing skills as well as literature and creative writing, and are committed to presenting engaging material that explores the varied interests and needs of our students.

The English department at College of Alameda is focused on helping students achieve their transfer requirements for a four-year institution, offering the necessary critical thinking and composition and reading courses required by the UC and CSU systems. Studying English gives students skills in expression and critical thinking that can be applied in many aspects of a student’s personal and professional life, and graduating with a BA in English from a four-year institution offers flexibility in terms of future careers.

Professions for English majors include administration, management, professional writing, teaching, editing, and publishing. The AA-T in English affords students an understanding of the study of writing and literature. The program is an inquiry into the voices of American Literature, including the voice of the student. The AA-T in English program includes experience in rhetorical and creative writing, as well as the study of literature. The evaluation of works of writing and literature, in multiple forms, media, and historic periods, engages the student with prior literary voices as well as contemporary thought. This approach draws on the diversity of experience of writers in general, the multitude of forms literature takes, and the unique voices in American literary art.

Upon completion of the Associate in Arts in English for Transfer degree (AA-T in English), students can:

· Engage in active, purposeful, critical reading: Theoretical and practical knowledge of the purpose of rhetorical writing and literature; examination of the importance of rhetorical writing and literature in American hegemonic and minoritized cultures of the past and present.

· Assess, in writing, the tools and materials given to succeed at the workplace or in the community and be able to suggest changes to increase effectiveness: Assess, evaluate, and interpret ideas found in writing and literature; communicate effectively, reach conclusions, and solve problems concerning the craft and criticism of rhetorical writing and literature.

· Evaluate information critically to develop claims and support them: Engage in meaningful discourse regarding personal identity, goals, and knowledge of the capacity of writing and literature as a means of social influence.

· Develop an understanding and appreciation for worldwide cultures and diverse perspectives through active and purposeful reading and writing: Examine the scope of writing and literature with an appreciation of human values; understand the significance of writing and literature as a social action relative to global issues.

Successful completion of The Associate in Arts in English for Transfer degree (AA-T in English) with a minimum G.P.A. of 2.0 affords students specific guarantees for transfer to the CSU system such as admission to a CSU with junior status, priority admission to the local CSU campus and to a program or major in English or a similar field.

The Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act (SB 1440 – Padilla), signed into legislation on September 29, 2010, enables the California Community Colleges and California State University to collaborate on the creation of Associate in Arts Degree (AA) and Associate in Science (AS) Degree transfer programs. This law requires community colleges to grant an associate degree for transfer to a student once a student has met specified general education and major requirements for the degree. Upon completion of the associate degree, the student is eligible for transfer with junior standing into the California State University (CSU) system.

The following is required for The Associate in Arts in English for Transfer degree (AA-T in English):

• Completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units that are eligible for transfer to a California State University.
• The Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University General Education – Breadth Requirements.
• A minimum of 18 semester units or 27 quarter units in a major or area of emphasis, as determined by the community college district.
• Obtainment of a minimum grade point average of 2.0.
• A grade of “C” or better in all courses required for the major or area of emphasis. A “P” (Pass) grade is not an acceptable grade for courses in the major.

Students should meet early with a Counselor to complete a Student Education Plan (SEP).

To obtain the Associate in Arts in English for Transfer degree (AA-T in English), students must complete the following requirements with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0:

• The English major requirements below; and
• The California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE) or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) requirements; and
• Any needed transferable electives to reach a total of 60 CSU transferable units.

Career Opportunities

Individuals completing an AA in English become office administrators, tutors, secretaries, associate copywriters, and customer account representatives. Professions for English majors completing a BA include administration, management, professional writing, teaching, editing, advertising, publicity, marketing, and publishing. English is frequently studied as a pre-law major.

Learning Outcome(s)

1. Engage in active, purposeful, critical reading.
2. Assess, in writing, the tools and materials given to succeed at the workplace or in the community and be able to suggest changes to increase effectiveness,
3. Evaluate information critically to develop claims and support them.
4. Develop an understanding and appreciation for worldwide cultures and diverse perspectives through active and purposeful reading and writing.