Literature
35 courses · Rio Hondo College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Summer 2026 · Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
LIT 112A American Literature through 1865
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- ENGL C1000
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- ENGL 130
This course explores a range of American literature, with a focus on major texts and writers from early settlement to 1865. Representative writers include Bradstreet, Bradford, Franklin, Douglass, Paine, Lincoln, Emerson, Thoreau, Poe, Melville, and Dickinson. Course reading and writing assignments explore major cultural and historical themes, including the pre-colonial exploration of the Americas, Native American literary contributions, the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, transcendentalism, and romanticism. This course is designed for students interested in exploring various genres of literature or learning more about cultural expression in the Americas, and students majoring in English or liberal studies.
LIT 112AH American Literature through 1865 Honors
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- ENGL C1000
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- ENGL 130
This course explores a range of American literature, with a focus on major texts and writers from early settlement to 1865. Representative writers include Bradstreet, Bradford, Franklin, Douglass, Paine, Lincoln, Emerson, Thoreau, Poe, Melville, and Dickinson. Course reading and writing assignments explore major cultural and historical themes, including the pre-colonial exploration of the Americas, Native American literary contributions, the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, transcendentalism, and romanticism. This course is designed for students interested in exploring various genres of literature or learning more about cultural expression in the Americas, and students majoring in English or liberal studies. This course is designed for students eligible for the Honors Program.
LIT 112B American Literature after 1865
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- ENGL C1000
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- ENGL 135
This course is designed for students interested in exploring American literature from the middle nineteenth century to the present. Through class discussions and written essays, the course introduces students to representative writers of this period, including Emily Dickinson, Mark Twain, Edith Wharton, Robert Frost, Zora Neale Hurston, William Faulkner, Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, Lorraine Hansberry, David Henry Hwang, Toni Morrison, Leslie Marmon Silko, Maxine Hong Kingston, Milcha Sanchez-Scott, and others.
LIT 112BH American Literature after 1865 Honors
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- ENGL C1000
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- ENGL 135
This course is designed for students interested in exploring American literature from the middle nineteenth century to the present. Through class discussions and written essays, the course introduces students to representative writers of this period, including Emily Dickinson, Mark Twain, Edith Wharton, Robert Frost, Zora Neale Hurston, William Faulkner, Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, Lorraine Hansberry, David Henry Hwang, Toni Morrison, Leslie Marmon Silko, Maxine Hong Kingston, Milcha Sanchez-Scott, and others.This course is intended for students eligible for the Honors Program.
LIT 114 Children’s and Adolescent Literature
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- ENGL C1000
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- ENGL 180
This course is an introduction to children’s and adolescent literature in its three general literary forms: the short story (including myths, legends, fairy tales, and folk tales), the novel, and poetry. Stress is placed upon critical thinking, critical reading, and composing. The course explores works of children’s literature from ancient times to the present, analyzes the literary elements of these works, assesses their value for both children and adults, and examines the historical periods and cultural environments in which they were written. This course is beneficial for English majors, students planning to transfer to a university, parents, and future elementary and secondary teachers.
LIT 114H Children’s and Adolescent Literature Honors
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- ENGL C1000
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- ENGL 180
This course is an introduction to children’s and adolescent literature in its three general literary forms: the short story (including myths, legends, fairy tales, and folk tales), the novel, and poetry. Stress is placed upon critical thinking, critical reading, and composing. The course explores works of children’s literature from ancient times to the present, analyzes the literary elements of these works, assesses their value for both children and adults, and examines the historical periods and cultural environments in which they were written. This course is beneficial for English majors, students planning to transfer to a university, parents, and future elementary and secondary teachers. This course is designed for students eligible for the Honors Program.
LIT 117 Mexican Literature in Translation
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- ENGL C1000
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course explores a range of Mexican literature in English translation, with a focus on major literary influences and achievements from the pre-Hispanic era to the twentieth century. Course reading and writing assignments explore indigenous literatures and myths, chronicles of the Spanish conquest, literature of the colonial period, high culture and folklore of the eighteenth century, political and modernist literature of the nineteenth century, and poetry and prose of the twentieth century. This course is designed for students interested in exploring various genres of literature and/or interested in learning more about Mexican cultural expression, and students majoring in Chicano Studies.
LIT 117H Mexican Literature in Translation Honors
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- ENGL C1000
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course explores a range of Mexican literature in English translation, with a focus on major literary influences and achievements from the pre-Hispanic era to the twentieth century. Course reading and writing assignments explore indigenous literatures and myths, chronicles of the Spanish conquest, literature of the colonial period, high culture and folklore of the eighteenth century, political and modernist literature of the nineteenth century, and poetry and prose of the twentieth century. This course is designed for students interested in exploring various genres of literature and/or interested in learning more about Mexican cultural expression, and students majoring in Chicano Studies. This course is designed for students eligible for the Honors Program.
LIT 130 Women and Literature
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- ENGL C1000
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course explores women writers—their lives, the roles they play in culture and society, and how they have influenced the world. Students examine topics such as female authorship, literary influence, the evolution of technique, effects of race and class, and the historic and cultural environments in which works were written. Stress is placed on critical thinking, critical reading, and composing. Feminist, literary, and political theory are explored. Special emphasis may be placed on a period, genre, theme, or literary grouping. This course is beneficial for English majors, students planning to transfer to a university, and anyone interested in learning about women and literature.
LIT 130H Women and Literature Honors
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- ENGL C1000
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course explores women writers—their lives, the roles they play in culture and society, and how they have influenced the world. Students examine topics such as female authorship, literary influence, the evolution of technique, effects of race and class, and the historic and cultural environments in which works were written. Stress is placed on critical thinking, critical reading, and composing. Feminist, literary, and political theory are explored. Special emphasis may be placed on a period, genre, theme, or literary grouping. This course is beneficial for English majors, students planning to transfer to a university, and anyone interested in learning about women and literature. This course is intended for students eligible for the Honors Program.
LIT 140 Introduction to the Novel
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- ENGL C1000
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course introduces students to a variety of approaches to the novel. Course readings focus on novels selected from different historical periods and within a variety of cultural traditions. Students gain an understanding of the features that distinguish the novel as a literary genre, including narrative structure, point of view, character development, setting, theme, style, imagery, and symbolism. This course is designed for students interested in learning more about literary expression, and students intending to major in a literary- or arts-related field of study.
LIT 140H Introduction to the Novel Honors
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- ENGL C1000
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course introduces students to a variety of approaches to the novel. Course readings focus on novels selected from different historical periods and within a variety of cultural traditions. Students gain an understanding of the features that distinguish the novel as a literary genre, including narrative structure, point of view, character development, setting, theme, style, imagery, and symbolism. This course is designed for students interested in learning more about literary expression, and students intending to major in a literary- or arts-related field of study. This course is intended for students eligible for the Honors Program.
LIT 141 Introduction to Poetry
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- ENGL C1000
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course introduces students to a variety of approaches to poetry. Course readings include poems on diverse topics representing poetry’s fundamental modes, historical periods, and cultural traditions. Students gain an understanding of the features that distinguish poetry as a literary genre, including techniques of sound, tropes and figurative language, and thematic development. The course is appropriate for both English majors and those students who want to expand their knowledge and appreciation of poetry.
LIT 141H Introduction to Poetry Honors
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- ENGL C1000
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course introduces students to a variety of approaches to poetry. Course readings include poems on diverse topics representing poetry’s fundamental modes, historical periods, and cultural traditions. Students gain an understanding of the features that distinguish poetry as a literary genre, including techniques of sound, tropes and figurative language, and thematic development. The course is appropriate for English majors as well as students who want to expand their knowledge and appreciation of poetry. This course is intended for students eligible for the Honors Program.
LIT 142 Introduction to Shakespeare
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- ENGL C1000
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is designed for students who wish to increase their knowledge and appreciation of Shakespeare's art, his life and times, and his exploration of the human condition. The major works of Shakespeare are explored in the context of the dramatic genre, the Elizabethan theater, and the social, religious, and political milieu of Renaissance England. Representative tragedies, comedies, histories, romances, poetry, and sonnet cycles are studied.
LIT 142H Introduction to Shakespeare Honors
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- ENGL C1000
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is designed for students who wish to increase their knowledge and appreciation of Shakespeare's art, his life and times, and his exploration of the human condition. The major works of Shakespeare are explored in the context of the dramatic genre, the Elizabethan theater, and the social, religious, and political milieu of Renaissance England. Representative tragedies, comedies, histories, romances, poetry, and sonnet cycles are studied. This course is intended for students eligible for the Honors Program.
LIT 143 Exploring Authors
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 18 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- ENGL C1000
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This one-unit course is designed for students who want to study the literary works of one author in depth. Students compare and contrast all genres and literary criticism of the author’s works in class discussions and in essay form. Students should consult the class schedule for the author selection as it varies each semester.
LIT 143H Exploring Authors Honors
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 18 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- ENGL C1000
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This one-unit course is designed for students who want to study the literary works of one author in depth. Students compare and contrast all genres and literary criticism of the author’s works in class discussions and in essay form. Students should consult the class schedule for the author selection as it varies each semester.. This course is designed for students eligible for the Honors Program.
LIT 144A World Literature: Antiquity through the 16th Century
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- ENGL C1000
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- ENGL 140
This course introduces students to a wide range of world literature from antiquity, the Middle Ages, and the Renaissance. Although emphasis is placed on continental literature and Western civilization, the course may include significant works from African, Asian, Middle Eastern, and/or Latin American traditions. Course reading and writing assignments emphasize literary periods and literary history, the different genres of literary expression, and literature as a reflection of major cultural events and beliefs. This course is designed for students interested in learning more about literary expression and students intending to major in a literary or arts-related field of study.
LIT 144AH World Literature: Antiquity through the 16th Century Honors
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- ENGL C1000
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- ENGL 140
This course introduces students to a wide range of world literature from antiquity, the Middle Ages, and the Renaissance. Although emphasis is placed on continental literature and Western civilization, the course may include significant works from African, Asian, Middle Eastern, and/or Latin American traditions. Course reading and writing assignments emphasize literary periods and literary history, the different genres of literary expression, and literature as a reflection of major cultural events and beliefs. This course is designed for students interested in learning more about literary expression and students intending to major in a literary or arts-related field of study. It is intended for students eligible for the Honors Program.
LIT 144B World Literature: 16th Century to the Present
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- ENGL C1000
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- ENGL 145
This course introduces students to a wide range of world literature from the seventeenth century to the present. Although emphasis is placed on continental literature and Western civilization, the course may include significant works from African, Asian, Middle Eastern, and/or Latin American traditions. Course reading and writing assignments emphasize the European Enlightenment, romanticism, realism, modernism, and literature as a reflection of major cultural events and beliefs. This course is designed for students interested in learning more about literary expression and students intending to major in a literary or arts-related field of study. LIT 144A need not be taken before LIT 144B.
LIT 144BH World Literature: 16th Century to the Present Honors
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- ENGL C1000
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- ENGL 145
This course introduces students to a wide range of world literature from the seventeenth century to the present. Although emphasis is placed on continental literature and Western civilization, the course may include significant works from African, Asian, Middle Eastern, and/or Latin American traditions. Course reading and writing assignments emphasize the European Enlightenment, romanticism, realism, modernism, and literature as a reflection of major cultural events and beliefs. This course is designed for students interested in learning more about literary expression and students intending to major in a literary or arts-related field of study. LIT 144AH need not be taken before LIT 144BH; both courses are intended for students eligible for the Honors Program.
LIT 145 Introduction to the Short Story
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is designed for students interested in exploring short fiction from a variety of different periods and traditions in order to increase appreciation, understanding, and enjoyment of its various forms and techniques. Students will compare and contrast authors’ works in writing and class discussion. The course emphasizes the short story as a genre from the Nineteenth century to the present.
LIT 145H Introduction to the Short Story Honors
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- ENGL C1000
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
The course is designed for students interested in exploring short fiction from a variety of different periods and traditions in order to increase appreciation, understanding, and enjoyment of its various forms and techniques. Students will compare and contrast authors’ works in writing and class discussion. The course emphasizes the short story as a genre from the Nineteenth century to the present. This course is designed for students eligible for the Honors Program.
LIT 146A British Literature through 1785
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- ENGL C1000
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- ENGL 160
This course is designed for students interested in learning about British literature from the Old English period (circa 450 until circa 1150 C.E.) to the beginning of the nineteenth century. Chaucer, Spenser, Shakespeare, Bacon, Donne, Milton, Dryden, Swift, Pope, Johnson, Boswell, and Fielding are among the major British writers that are discussed in the course.
LIT 146AH British Literature through 1785 Honors
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- ENGL C1000
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- ENGL 160
This course is designed for students interested in learning about British literature from the Old English period (circa 450 until circa 1150 C.E.) to the beginning of the nineteenth century. Chaucer, Spenser, Shakespeare, Bacon, Donne, Milton, Dryden, Swift, Pope, Johnson, Boswell, and Fielding are among the major British writers that are discussed in the course. This course is designed for students eligible for the Honors Program.
LIT 146B British Literature after 1785
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- ENGL C1000
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- ENGL 165
This course is designed for students interested in learning about British literature written from the beginning of the nineteenth century to the present. Austen, Wordsworth, Coleridge, Byron, Shelley, Keats, Tennyson, Browning, Arnold, Shaw, Yeats, and T.S. Eliot are among the major writers that are discussed in the course.
LIT 146BH British Literature after 1785 Honors
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- ENGL C1000
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
- C-ID
- ENGL 165
This course is designed for students interested in learning about British literature written from the beginning of the nineteenth century to the present. Austen, Wordsworth, Coleridge, Byron, Shelley, Keats, Tennyson, Browning, Arnold, Shaw, Yeats, and T.S. Eliot are among the major writers that are discussed in the course. The course is designed for students eligible for the Honors Program.
LIT 147 Cinema as Literature
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- ENGL C1000
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is intended for students interested in learning about the aesthetics of filmmaking, especially with regard to the adaptation of literature to the cinematic medium. Films are analyzed and evaluated according to their historical, social, cultural, aesthetic, and technical significance. Both American and international filmmaking will be covered.
LIT 147H Cinema as Literature Honors
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- ENGL C1000
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course is intended for students interested in learning about the aesthetics of filmmaking, especially with regard to the adaptation of literature to the cinematic medium. Films are analyzed and evaluated according to their historical, social, cultural, aesthetic, and technical significance. Both American and international filmmaking will be covered. The course is intended for students who meet Honors Program requirements.
LIT 148 Introduction to Dramatic Literature
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- ENGL C1000
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course introduces students to a wide range of dramatic literature, from the plays of ancient Greece to contemporary drama, via representative plays from several literary periods. Course reading and writing assignments emphasize dramatic form and structure, the aesthetics of drama, and drama as a reflection of major cultural events and beliefs. This course is designed for students interested in a detailed exploration of a specific genre of literature, intending to major in a literary or arts-related field of study, and/or intending to enter the teaching profession.
LIT 148H Introduction to Dramatic Literature Honors
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- ENGL C1000
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course introduces students to a wide range of dramatic literature, from the plays of ancient Greece to contemporary drama, via representative plays from several literary periods. Course reading and writing assignments emphasize dramatic form and structure, the aesthetics of drama, and drama as a reflection of major cultural events and beliefs. This course is designed for students interested in a detailed exploration of a specific genre of literature, intending to major in a literary or arts-related field of study, and/or intending to enter the teaching profession. This course is intended for students eligible for the Honors Program.
LIT 149 Introduction to Chicana/o/x Literature
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- ENGL C1000
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course explores a range of Chicana/o/x literature, with a focus on major texts from 1848 to the present. Course reading and writing assignments explore major cultural themes, including identity issues. Assigned readings may comprise a variety of forms and genres including essays, poetry, fiction, oral histories, corridos, and autobiography by writers from the Southwest. This course is designed for students interested in exploring various forms genres of literature, learning more about Chicana/o/x cultural expression, and/or majoring in Chicana/o/x Studies.
LIT 149H Introduction to Chicana/o/x Literature Honors
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 Lecture
- Prerequisite
- ENGL C1000
- Advisory
- It is advised that students be able to read college-level texts.
- Transfers to
- CSU, UC
This course explores a range of Chicana/o/x literature, with a focus on major texts from 1848 to the present. Course reading and writing assignments explore major cultural themes, including identity issues. Assigned readings may comprise a variety of forms and genres including essays, poetry, fiction, oral histories, corridos, and autobiography by writers from the Southwest. This course is designed for students interested in exploring various forms genres of literature, learning more about Chicana/o/x cultural expression, and/or majoring in Chicana/o/x studies. This course is intended for students eligible for the Honors Program.
LIT 299 Directed Study: Literature
- Units
- 1-3
- Hours
- 54-162 Lab
- Prerequisite
- ENGL C1000
- Transfers to
- CSU
Independent Study/Directed Study is intended for students who have the ability to assume responsibility for independent work and to prepare written or oral reports and/or appropriate projects. To enroll in an independent study/directed study course, students must possess a 2.5 overall grade point average, a 3.0 grade point average in the discipline of study being requested, or receive an exception from the instructor. Independent Studies/Directed Studies may be developed from any topic arising from or related to a course of study that will result in developing depth and breadth in that subject area. Students will be expected to meet on a regular basis with their faculty sponsor and submit a final report or project, and student progress shall be evaluated at regular intervals. Academic standards for Independent Studies/Directed Studies shall be the same as those for other courses. Units are awarded in accordance to Title 5 regulations with one unit of credit awarded for 54 hours of Directed Studies, six (6) hours of which must be with an instructor. The instructor is responsible for monitoring student progress through the semester. Students may take directed study courses for a maximum of three (3) units within a discipline, and may not accumulate more than a total of nine (9) units college wide.