Banner Image

English

Acquire an independent mind

Ready to hone your critical reading, writing, and thinking skills? Students of English will read diverse and culturally relevant literature and media such as poems, songs, novels, plays, films, and comics. Through the study of these literary texts, students will sharpen their writing and critical thinking skills to examine the ways in which these texts engage issues relevant to our culture and society—from the environment and class to gender and race.

Studying English opens doors to endless possibilities and specialties: literary analysis, rhetoric and composition, education, creative writing, and more.

Learn about Upcoming Courses

Programs of Study

  • A
    Associate Degree
  • T
    Transfer Degree
  • C
    Credit Certificate
  • N
    Non-Credit
  • Limited Enrollment
    Limited Enrollment
  • Online Options Available
    Online Options

English for Transfer

Associate in Arts for Transfer

  • A
  • T
  • Online Options Available

Students earning the Associate in Arts in English for Transfer will read, analyze, and interpret diverse literary texts in order to craft academic arguments and literary analyses. Students will also encounter a variety of literary genres and periods, with the opportunities to examine how literature can embody cultural, intellectual, and artistic trends.

This program assists students with seamless transfer to a California State University.

Program Code

MAA648/MAA649

Units

19 units

Meet Your English Faculty

Your English faculty are committed to providing high-quality writing instruction, developing critical reading skills, supporting the literacy needs of all college programs, and preparing students for lifelong reading, writing, and learning. We are excited to welcome you, and we look forward to exploring with you the many possibilities and specialties available through the study of English.

Engagement Center

Part-Time Faculty

Why study English?

Studying English develops effective communication skills and the critical thinking capacity valued in the job market. A degree in English can lead to a career in teaching, marketing, journalism, publishing or editing, creative writing, and more. It can also be used as a springboard into graduate or law school.

What You'll Learn

  • How to think critically about and interpret literature, employing language and methods of literary analysis to construct interpretive arguments and to address the ways that literature invites multiple interpretive possibilities.
  • How to write essays of literary analysis effectively supported by integrated, interpreted, and relevant textual evidence.
  • The ability to demonstrate an understanding of how cultural history informs and is informed by literature.

Career Options

  • Author or Copy Writer
  • Journalist
  • Editor or Literary Agent
  • English Language or Literature Teacher
  • Technical, Grant or Scientific Writer
  • K-12 Teacher
  • Librarian

Fall 2024 Literature Courses

Consider enrolling in one of the fun and interactive literature courses offered in Fall 2024.

About the Class

Section 28799, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:35 - 11 am in HM 218

A survey of British literature from 1800 to the present, including a comprehensive exposure to the poetry, drama, and fiction of this era as well as a basic understanding of the cultural, intellectual, and artistic trends it embodies.

About the Instructor

Johnina Grozav is an English Professor at Moreno Valley College and a graduate of UC Riverside and Claremont Graduate University. Her research and area of interest is British Literature with a focus in Early Modern Studies. You can often find her tutoring in the Writing and Reading Center (WRC) if she is not teaching. She loves to read in her spare time, spend time with friends and family, and considers herself a high-key coffee addict. 

More Details

  • Zero textbook cost

About the Class

Section 28800, Mondays and Wednesdays, 12:45 - 2:10 pm in HM 218

 survey of American literature from 1865 to the present, including a comprehensive exploration of the diverse prose, poetry, fiction, and drama of this era and a basic understanding of the cultural, intellectual and artistic trends it embodies, including various narrative threads and points of contention within and among diverse racial and cultural groups in America during this period. 

More Details

About the Class

Section 28111, Hybrid Thursdays, 3:55 - 5:20 pm in SAS 224

A survey of language structure, theory and development, including a study of phonetics, phonology, morphology, semantics and syntax, language variation and change, language acquisition, and the psychological and social issues involved in language learning. 

More Details

About the Class

Section 28795, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:10 am - 12:35 pm, HM 218

Significant works of world literature from the Seventeenth Century through the present, including a comprehensive exposure to the poetry, drama, and fiction of these periods as well as a basic understanding of the cultural, intellectual, and artistic trends these works embody. Emphasis on literature in translation. 

More Details

About the Class

Section 28798, Mondays and Wednesdays, 2:20 - 3:45 pm in HM 218

Significant works of world literature from the Seventeenth Century through the present, including a comprehensive exposure to the poetry, drama, and fiction of these periods as well as a basic understanding of the cultural, intellectual, and artistic trends these works embody. Emphasis on literature in translation. 

More Details

About the Class

Section 28797, Mondays and Wednesdays, 2:20 - 3:45 pm in HM 218

Survey of LGBTQIA2+ topics, questions, and representations in literary contexts. Emphasis is placed on theme, imagery and character development in a variety of literary genres, including fiction, autobiography, memoir, poetry, drama, graphic novels, film and cultural criticism. Supplementary readings in queer theory, critical theory, feminist theory, and/or philosophy will be used. 

More Details

English Placement

Some students may receive a District recommendation to take English 91 along with English 1A through the registration and placement process. The English faculty at MVC do not recommend students to take English 91 because studies show that you will be successful at 1A without extra coursework. You have the right to challenge your placement, and can do so online at any time.

English 1A

  • English 1A is a 4-unit English Composition class that fulfills the college writing requirement.
  • Every student has the right to enroll directly into English 1A without the extra units of English 91.
  • Expect interactive instruction and activities related to reading and writing.
  • Expect feedback from instructors.
  • Expect access to additional support such as embedded tutors, office hours, the Learning Center, and the Writing and Reading Center.

English 1A+91

  • English 1A+91 is English 1A (see description to left) and English 91, a 2-unit support course.
  • English 1A+91 are linked together; to stay enrolled in one, you must stay enrolled in both.
  • Even through English 1A+91 are two separate classes, it will feel like a single, 6-unit english 1A class taught by the same instructor for both classes.
  • English 91 provides you with additional time in the classroom for even more feedback, guidance, and support.
  • You will be placed directly into ENG-1A if: You have a high school GPA of 2.6 and above or earned EAP (Ready) or earned EAP (Conditionally Ready + ERWC with C- or higher).
  • You will be placed into ENG-1A with the option of taking English 91 if: You have a high school GPA of 1.9 to 2.59. However, the MVC English faculty recommend that you enroll directly into English 1A without 91.
  • You will be placed into ENG-1A with the requirement of taking English 91 if: You have a high school GPA under 1.9. However, you can opt out of this requirement with a simple form that is automatically approved. The form should take 2 - 3 minutes to complete.
  • You will be placed directly into ENG-1B if: You earned a 3, 4, or 5 on AP Composition & Language or you earned a 3, 4, or 5 on AP Composition & Literature.
  • If you earned a GED and/or it's been 10 or more years since you attended high school, we recommend that you choose between English 1A and English 1A+91. You can discuss your options with a counselor.

Every student has the right to enroll directly into English 1A without taking English 91. If you have been placed into English 1A+91 as a recommendation, you do not need to challenge your placement and opt into English 1A. Simply enroll in English 1A as you would other classes. If you have been placed into English 1A+91 as a requirement, follow the two steps below.

  • Step 1: Fill out the challenge/opt in form. The form should take 2-3 minutes to complete.
  • Step 2: Submit the completed form. You'll receive confirmation on your updated placement within three business days from Counseling Services.

English Placement Challenge/Opt In Form