English & Literature
Apply Now“You write in order to change the world...
...knowing perfectly well that you probably can't, but also knowing that literature is indispensable to the world... The world changes according to the way people see it, and if you alter, even by a millimeter, the way…people look at reality, then you can change it.” (James Baldwin in a 1979 interview)
The English and Literature Program at Skyline College sharpens and enhances reading, writing, and critical thinking skills applicable to every field. Our literature courses guide students to not only expand their literary knowledge, but also to deepen their understanding of themselves and the world. In our ever-changing and growing global economy, businesses and organizations want to hire colleagues who can understand a variety of perspectives and who have the skills to read and write with detail, logic, and persuasion.
Employment Statistics
Average Salary in California
Source: U.S. Department of Labor and Glassdoor
The Program
The most valuable skill a person may ever develop may be writing. An English major’s skills will prove applicable to any learning, work, and/or creative environment and will never become obsolete. For career plans including advertising, law, teaching, or even health fields, the universal tools and skills gained as an English major will allow students to adapt to whatever the future has in store. Additionally, the study of literary texts underscores the richness of the human experience and challenges students to critically explore and appreciate the diversity of cultures and ideas that surround them.
Skyline College offers an Associate of Arts degree in English that can help to create a clear path for transfer to a four-year institution.
Career Outlook
Studying English and Literature provides a foundation of writing, communication, and critical thinking skills essential in almost any career from the sciences or finance to marketing or public relations.
An English degree can create paths to a variety of career trajectories, including user experience writing, advertising, social media management, editing, law, marketing, advertising, education, web content development, technical writing, and many others. Salary ranges for jobs within these careers vary greatly. For example, social media managers in California make an average of $57,025 per year according to Glassdoor. Technical Writers in California make an average of $100,730 per year.
| Program | Type | Total Units |
|---|---|---|
| English | AA | 60 Units |
| English for Transfer | AA-T | 60 Units |
The English program will allow students to:
- ESSAYS: Write focused, organized, well-developed, and text-based essays using effective paragraphs, which support a clear thesis statement, and demonstrate competence in standard English grammar and usage.
- CRITICAL ANALYSIS: Demonstrate critical reading, writing, and thinking skills through analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of important ideas.
- SOURCES: Effectively evaluate and fluidly integrate relevant sources, using appropriate research strategies and tools, and documenting them according to MLA guidelines.
Literature courses will allow students to:
- ESSAYS AND SOURCES: Write analytical, unified, text-based essays using the conventions of literary analysis and criticism, and effectively integrating and documenting sources according to MLA guidelines.
- LITERARY ANALYSIS: Demonstrate an understanding of a broad range of literary works from the period and/or genre by analyzing major themes and literary techniques.
The college catalog contains lists of all classes that we may offer in the current academic year.
Resources at Skyline College
External Resources
Local Literary Events
Faculty Resources
ENGL 100 vs ENGL 105
What's the Difference?
English 105 and English 100 have identical requirements and expectations, and both courses are transferable to UC/CSU. The major difference between both courses is that English 105 offers students more time in the classroom with instructors to ensure student success.
English 105 courses are 80 minutes longer per week, which provides:
- more in-depth guidance on writing assignments
- more in-class practice
- more time interacting with peers
- more time with your instructor in and out of the classroom
| English 105 is Recommended For: |
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| ENGL 100/105 Example Assignments |
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To judge whether you might require more time to be successful, please review the course material below to get a better sense of instructor expectations. |
| Requirements for Both Courses | |
|---|---|
| Reading Requirements | |
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500-600 pages of reading, including at least one full-length book. Academic reading with in-depth analysis and more complex concepts. |
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| Writing Requirements | |
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3-6 text-based essays and other written work totaling 5,000 words (20 to 24 pages), including a mandatory research paper. Complex thesis and outlines, advanced organizational techniques, quotation formatting and documentation. |
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| Student Performance Expectations | |
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At least 15 hours of course work per week. This course is designed for college transfer. The level of difficulty is identical to equivalent English classes offered at state colleges or universities. |
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