Courses | B.A. in English
Below are the course requirements for this academic program. In addition to these program-specific requirements, all majors include Biola's traditional undergraduate core curriculum. For more program details, including a sample course sequence, .
Writing Competency Requirement
Every Biola student must fulfill the Writing Competency Requirement (WCR). All English majors fulfill the WCR by passing ENGL 313 with a C+ or better. If they fail to meet this requirement, they must consult with their major advisor for an alternative WCR pathway. For more information, see the .
International Students
All students requesting transfer of credits from countries where English is not the primary language must provide the following to be assessed by the English Department prior to approval of credits: sample writings, a course description from the University's catalog, a syllabus of the course, writings from the course and transcript. Final decision will be made by the department chair.
English Language (EL)
All students for whom English is not a primary language may take EL coursework (ENGL 102–105) for GE fulfillment of foreign language degree requirements or for elective credit. For students pursuing the B.A. degree, the 8 credits of EL is needed for the Core Curriculum foreign language requirement.
Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| English majors meet the Core Curriculum requirement within the major. | ||
| Program Courses | ||
| In addition to the English courses taken for Core Curriculum credit, all students of English must complete 30 credits in required program courses. | ||
| Required of all English Majors: | ||
| Introduction to English Studies | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| British Literature I | ||
| British Literature II | ||
| British Literature III | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| American Literature I | ||
| American Literature II | ||
| Select one 200/300/400-level English elective | 3 | |
| The following courses are required of all English Majors: | ||
| Writing in the Disciplines | 3 | |
| Studies in Grammar and Language | 3 | |
| Studies in American Literature | 3 | |
| Studies in British Literature | 3 | |
| Studies in Literary & Critical Theory | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Studies in Major Authors | ||
| Studies in Genre | ||
| Required of all English Majors: | ||
| English Capstone Course | 3 | |
| Select a concentration below 1 | ||
| Total Credits | 33 | |
- 1
See concentration tables below which detail the requirements needed to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in English.
Concentrations
Literature
For those wishing to focus on the study of literature, the Literature track requires at least 12 credits in upper-division English courses in addition to the required English program courses.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Program Courses | 33 | |
| Concentration Courses | ||
| Select two 300/400-level English electives | 6 | |
| Select two 400-level English electives | 6 | |
| Concentration Course Requirements: 12 credits | ||
| 71 | ||
| General Electives | 4 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
Writing
For those seeking to supplement their study of literature with theoretical and vocational training in writing.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Program Courses | 33 | |
| Concentration Courses | ||
| This concentration requires students to take five specialized courses in writing in addition to the required English program courses. | ||
| Advanced Composition | 3 | |
| Studies in Specialized Writing | 3 | |
| Technical and Digital Communication | 3 | |
| Select 2 of the following 3 courses: | 6 | |
| Creative Writing: Poetry | ||
| Creative Writing: Fiction | ||
| Creative Writing: Nonfiction | ||
| Concentration Course Requirements: 15 credits | ||
| 71 | ||
| General Electives | 1 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
Secondary Instruction
For those interested in teaching English at the high school level, this concentration provides coursework that, combined with successfully passing the California Subject Examinations for Teachers (CSET), leads to a California Single Subject Teaching Credential in English. The Secondary Instruction concentration consists of 56 credits.
The leading to a California Teaching Credential at Biola University is subject to change in response to new legislation. Please see a credential analyst in the School of Education for current information on completing the requirements for a teaching credential. Students must consult with both their major advisor and a School of Education advisor.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Program Courses | 33 | |
| Concentration Courses | ||
| The Rhetorical Act 1 | 3 | |
| or | Interpersonal Communication | |
| or | Oral Interpretation | |
| United States History To 1865 2 | 3 | |
| or | Survey of American Government | |
| Introduction to Psychology 3 | 3 | |
| Introduction to Teaching | 3 | |
| Psychological Foundations of Education | 3 | |
| Methods of Teaching Linguistically Diverse Students | 3 | |
| Secondary Content Area Reading | 3 | |
| Single Subject Pedagogy | 2 | |
| Secondary Curriculum, Differentiation, and Assessment | 3 | |
| Student teaching (12 credits) may be completed at the graduate level and is not required for undergraduate graduation. Please meet with an advisor in the School of Education. | ||
| Secondary Student Teaching I | ||
| Secondary Student Teaching II | ||
| Concentration Course Requirements: 26 credits | ||
| 62 | ||
| Total Credits | 121 | |
- 1
This course fulfills the Communication Core Curriculum requirement.
- 2
This course fulfills 3 credits of the History Core Curriculum requirement. The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing requires that a teaching credential candidate must have completed a minimum 2-credit course that covers the U.S. Constitution or fulfill this requirement by examination. Biola University students may complete this requirement by taking either of with a grade of C or better. Students receiving AP college credit for either or will also meet this requirement. Transfer coursework must be reviewed by a credential analyst in the School of Education.
- 3
This course fulfills the Behavioral Science Core Curriculum requirement.