You are here:
English
English studies are designed to increase both critical thinking and effective writing skills, and to develop a sense of literary context and connectivity with the world. An English degree from La Sierra prepares students for further education at the graduate level, for teaching, or for careers that capitalize on clear expression and in-depth analysis. Our three emphases—literature, writing, and secondary teaching—help students to understand who they are and who they can become; provide a different view of history and culture; introduce new modes of thought; encourage empathy and emotional healing; and help showcase various areas of creativity.
Questions about the English program?
Programs Offered
English: Literature
Bachelor of Arts
Quick Facts
Level
Undergraduate
Location
La Sierra Campus
Accreditation
WASC
Description:
A BA degree in English: Literature is the doorway to engaging in the lives and works of some of the world's best-known authors. You will employ cultural analysis and critical thinking as you find the niche of literature that's just right for you—from Shakespeare to Southwestern Literature, you can experience the full history of English and American works and specific genres. Additionally, writing at La Sierra University exposes you to a wide range of writing styles and forms, including memoir and short story. Our immersive workshop sessions provide a platform for you to engage with our dynamic literary community, where countless opportunities await for you to showcase your work and achieve publication. Immerse yourself in our vibrant environment and unlock the door to literary success.
English: Secondary Teaching
Bachelor of Arts
Quick Facts
Level
Undergraduate
Location
La Sierra Campus
Accreditation
WASC**
- Curriculum Sheet
Description:
A bachelor’s degree in secondary education prepares a teacher to work in middle schools and high schools. The emphasis in Secondary Teaching allows students to complete teaching credential coursework along with the English major. The program is offered in collaboration with La Sierra University's School of Education, which provides the courses leading to the Secondary credential. Those courses must be completed in the recommended order, and students will need to apply with the School of Education for acceptance into the Teacher Education program. Those who pursue a major in Secondary Teaching will often focus on a particular subject, such as English. Once a degree is obtained, graduates will qualify for high school jobs in the state in which they are certified.
Drama
minor
Quick Facts
Level
minor
Location
La Sierra Campus
Duration
28 Units
Accreditation
WASC
- Curriculum Sheet
Description:
Drama minors become immersed in the world of theater by learning to read dramatic literature critically, engaging in various aspects of stage productions, and discovering skills and techniques to bring stories to life. After completing core requirements, students are encouraged to focus on their primary interest— whether it be acting, technical production, design, writing, or directing.
Core Curriculum14-17 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DRAM246E | Introduction to Acting | 4 | ||||||||||||
| DRAM297A | Performance | 2 | ||||||||||||
| DRAM297B | Technical Production | 2 | ||||||||||||
| DRAM297F | Play Reading | 1 | ||||||||||||
| DRAM496 | History and Theory of Drama | 4 | ||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||
Design Electives0-14 | ||
|---|---|---|
| ARTS115 | Design Principles | 4 |
| ARTS116 | Color for Artists and Designers | 4 |
| ARTS194 | Photoshop and Illustrator Image Creation | 4 |
| ARTS224 | Drawing I | 4 |
| ARTS255 | Photography | 4 |
| ARTS264 | Images on Fabric | 4 |
| ARTS334 | Workshop in Painting | 4 |
| DRAM297C | Technical Design | 4 |
| DRAM497C | Advanced Technical Design | 4 |
Directing Electives0-14 | ||
|---|---|---|
| DRAM297E | Directing | 4 |
| DRAM367 | Directing: Theory | 4 |
| DRAM368 | Directing: Practice | 4 |
| DRAM 497E | Advanced Directing | 4 |
| FLTV247 | Acting for Directors | 4 |
| FLTV380 | Directing for Film and Television | 4 |
Dramatic Literature Electives0-14 | ||
|---|---|---|
| DRAM264O | Oral Interpretation | 4 |
| ENGL414B | World Literature: Classic Greek Drama | 4 |
| ENGL425D | 20th Century American Drama | 4 |
| ENGL446H | 20th Century British Drama | 4 |
| ENGL446P | 19th Century British Drama | 4 |
| ENGL446R | Restoration and 18th Century Comedy | 4 |
| ENGL458 | Shakespeare | 4 |
Performance0-14 | ||
|---|---|---|
| DRAM264O | Oral Interpretation | 4 |
| DRAM297A | Performance | 4 |
| DRAM467 | Topics in Drama | 4 |
| DRAM490 | Advanced Acting | 4 |
| DRAM497A | Advanced Performance | 4 |
| MUED220A | Singer's Diction I | 4 |
| MUED220B | Singer's Diction II | 4 |
Promotion and Publications0-14 | ||
|---|---|---|
| ARTS194 | Photoshop and Illustrator Image Creation | 4 |
| ARTS255 | Photography | 4 |
| DRAM297D | PR & Publication | 4 |
| DRAM497D | Advanced PR & Publication | 4 |
| FLTV486 | Marketing and Distribution | 4 |
| MKTG305 | Marketing Principles | 4 |
Technical Production0-14 | ||
|---|---|---|
| ARTS394D | Video | 4 |
| ARTS314 | Three Dimensional Design | 4 |
| DRAM297B | Technical Production | 4 |
| DRAM494 | Internship | 1-4 |
| DRAM497B | Advanced Technical Production | 4 |
| MUET105 | Introduction to Music Technology | 4 |
Writing for Stage and Screen0-14 | ||
|---|---|---|
| ENGL205 | Intro to Creative Writing | 4 |
| ENGL256 | Introduction to Playwriting | 4 |
| ENGL405C | Playwriting | 4 |
| FLTV110 | Short Scriptwriting | 4 |
| FLTV211 | Writing for Television (Comedy) | 4 |
| FLTV212 | Writing for Television (Drama) | 4 |
| FLTV322 | Screenwriting | 4 |
English
minor
Quick Facts
Level
minor
Location
La Sierra Campus
Duration
32 Units
Accreditation
WASC
- Curriculum Sheet
Description:
A minor typically consists of taking a portion of the classes required for a major in that same subject. To get an idea of what you would be studying, check out the corresponding major. The requirements for your minor will differ by program, so be sure to ask a counselor to know exactly what courses are in store for you.
Core Curriculum8 | ||
|---|---|---|
| ENGL205 | Introduction to Creative Writing | 4 |
| ENGL206 | Introduction to Literature | 4 |
Survey of Literature8 | ||
|---|---|---|
| ENGL231 | Survey of British Literature I | 4 |
| ENGL232 | Survey of British Literature II | 4 |
| ENGL233 | Survey of American Literature I | 4 |
Literature Courses4-12 | ||
|---|---|---|
| ENGL410 | Literary Genres | 4 |
| ENGL414 | A-Z World Literature | 4 |
| ENGL415 | A-B Literature for Children | 4 |
| ENGL416 | Young Adult Literature | 4 |
| ENGL425 | A-Z Major American Authors or Movements | 4 |
| ENGL445 | Biblical Literature | 4 |
| ENGL446 | A-Z Major British Authors or Movements | 4 |
| ENGL465 | Topics in English | 4 |
| ENGL466 | Topics in Film: Film and Literature | 4 |
| DRAM492 | History and Theory of Drama | 4 |
English Writing Courses4-12 | ||
|---|---|---|
| ENGL254 | Introduction to Fiction | 4 |
| ENGL256 | Introduction to Playwriting | 4 |
| ENGL255 | Introduction to Poetry | 4 |
| ENGL307 | Writing for Children | 4 |
| ENGL405A | Short Story | 4 |
| ENGL405B | Poetry | 4 |
| ENGL405C | Playwriting | 4 |
| ENGL405E | Humor Writing | 4 |
| ENGL405F | The Long Project | 4 |
| ENGL405G | Memoir | 4 |
| ENGL406 | Writing for Publication | 4 |
Electives0-8 | ||
|---|---|---|
| COMM338 | Advanced Writing for the Print Media | 4 |
| COMM339 | Writing for the Digital Media | 4 |
| ENGL482 | Advanced Grammar and Style | 4 |
| ENGL484 | Language and Linguistics | 4 |
| ENGL465E | History of the English Language | 4 |
| ENGL487A | Classical Rhetoric and Criticism | 4 |
| ENGL487B | Contemporary Literary Criticism | 4 |
English
Master of Arts
Quick Facts
- Level
- Graduate
- Location
- La Sierra Campus
- Duration
- 48 Units
- Accreditation
- WASC
- Curriculum Sheet - Coming Soon!
Description:
The Department of English offers an MA in English degree, focused on British and American literature, which requires courses in literature, literary criticism, religion and literature, and research methods. Graduate students also accepted into the College Writing Instructor program will further study composition theory. The MA in English degree prepares students for further post-graduate work or to succeed in a wide variety of occupations where analytical thinking, strong writing, research skills, and effective communication abilities are essential.
General Information48 | ||
|---|---|---|
| A minimum of 48 graduate-level units (i.e. at the 500 or 600 level) is required for degree completion, with no fewer than 24 units of graduate courses at the 600-level. Students whose undergraduate degree is not in English should expect to complete 60 units of course work to meet the degree requirements. The S/U grading option is not available to students in the English MA program. A minimum grade of B is required for a graduate level course to count towards the degree in the MA in English program. |
Program Study Plan48 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Each student’s graduate study plan when combined with courses taken as an undergraduate English major should meet the following basic requirements by the time graduate courses have been completed: | ||
| 4 courses in English and/or American literature | ||
| 2 courses in major authors (including either Shakespeare, Milton, or Chaucer) | ||
| 1 genre course | ||
| 2 courses in literary criticism | ||
| 1 graduate course in research methods (ENGL 604) | ||
| 1 writing course, taken while in residence | ||
| 1 course in advanced grammar and style or in language and linguistics | ||
| 1 course in religion or religion and literature (see above) | ||
| 2 additional courses in English, chosen in consultation with advisor |
Career Outlook
4% Job Market Growth
$73,690 Median Salary
Very Diverse
The median annual wage for writers and authors was $73,690 in May 2023. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $40,900, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $148,240.
In May 2023, the median annual wages for writers and authors in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
- Information $77,520
- Professional, scientific, and technical services $70,310
- Educational services; state, local, and private $66,060
- Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations $61,140
Program Stats
Our Alumni Work in these Occupations
- Higher Education Teachers19
- High School Teachers6
- Guidance, Career, and Academic Counselors4
- Teacher4
- Higher Education Administrators3
- General and Operations Managers3
- Social and Community Service Managers3
Our Alumni Work Here
- Loma Linda University3
- Loma Linda Academy3
- Portland Adventist Medical Center2
- University of Southern California2
- The Woodlands Christian Academy2
- United States Marine Corps2
- Mt. San Antonio College2
Student Learning Outcomes
- Read analytically and perceptively, with appreciation for both content and style.
- Write cleanly and clearly in a variety of genres (across the range of academic to creative), and demonstrating a habit of thoughtful revision.
- Discuss intelligently the major periods and authors of English and American literature.
- Employ fluently literary terms and other disciplinary conventions (e.g. MLA formatting, etc).
Related Programs
The Bachelor of Arts in Music offers the chance to study music while pursuing other interests, such as pre-professional program or a double major. Students in this program explore music through private lessons, participation in university ensembles,…
Students in graphic design are taught to use color, design, and typography to create effective visual communication. The majority of the art is created through the use of industry-standard computer software. Students take classes such as digital…
Communication is a diverse academic discipline. Originating from the Aristotelian tradition which stressed oral communication skills, most current Communication programs offer much more-the development of written communication skills, studies in…
Partial information in this page was retrieved from Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Police and Detectives at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/writers-and-authors.htm (visited April 17, 2024).
