English, Language and Literature

Our language and literature program prepares students to transfer to four-year institutions and provides all students with opportunities for personal intellectual growth. Students may choose from a broad spectrum of courses ranging from British, American, and World literature to subjects such as grammar, Shakespeare, the Old and New Testament, science fiction, literature for children and young adults, and mythology. 

Literature engages students in the practice of reading and writing as a means of learning from the past and looking toward the future, training them to ask questions about the nature of the world around them. Students develop strong foundational communication, research, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills to become effective citizens and thinkers across a variety of careers and fields of study. In our increasingly global society, where so much of our culture and commerce depends on online, text-based interaction, clear writers and creative thinkers have never been more in demand.

DEGREES & CERTIFICATES

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English – Language & Literature, Associate in Arts (AA)

View all LBCC’s Programs of Study and Curriculum Guides
(New students need to refer to the current academic year for the most up-to-date info) 

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CAREER INFO

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This field of concentration in the Creative Writing and Language and Literature sequence prepares the student for baccalaureate study in English, Comparative Literature, and Liberal Arts. Such study can lead to careers in such areas as education, journalism, publishing, entertainment, public relations, non-profits, medicine, mental health, law, finance, social media, and technology.
 

POTENTIAL JOBS

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To explore potential jobs in this field of study, we strongly urge you to visit LBCC Career Center. Working with a career counselor, we will assess your strengths, skills, interests, and accomplishments to help you identify internship opportunities and career goals that match your educational and professional needs.

FAQ

Even if I don’t “need” one of these classes to fulfill a specific degree requirement, may I still take it?

Yes, each language and literature class fulfills the humanities requirement for plans A, B, and C, but even after you have satisfied the requirement, you may take additional classes that interest you. It is useful to think of college as an opportunity to explore ideas outside of the strict parameters of “degree requirements.” Each of the courses that we offer allows students an opportunity to think deeply and broaden their horizons.

Which literature course should I take first?

Our courses are designed so that any student may enroll in any of our courses. You may take each of the specific literature topic classes in any order.

ENGL 2 - Introduction to Literature/Composition is designed as an introduction to the study of literature and to writing about literature. 

ENGL 4 - Critical Analysis of Literature is an introduction to critical thinking about literature.

What is a “survey” class?

Baccalaureate programs often require students to complete a “survey” sequence. These are historical overviews of specific literary traditions. We offer three such sequences:

American Literature

ENGL 41 – American Literature I: Native American oral traditions to texts from the time of the Civil War

ENGL 42 – American Literature II: The Civil War to the Present

World Literature (English 44 and 45)

ENGL 44 and ENGL 44H – World Literature I/Honors: Ancient writings to the seventeenth century 

ENGL 45 and ENGL 45H – World Literature II/Honors: Renaissance to contemporary literature

British Literature (English 46 and 47)

ENGL 46 – Survey of British Literature I: Medieval to eighteenth century

ENGL 47 – Survey of British Literature II: Nineteenth century to the current day

In each sequence, the first class covers the earlier time period, and the second half brings us to the present time, but you may take these classes in any order.

If I already know how to write, why would I enroll in ENGL 24 – College Grammar?

Whether you write with confidence or are uncertain of sentence-level choices, the College Grammar course provides you with knowledge to make informed, nuanced choices in your writing, whether it be academic or creative. The course not only covers common “errors” in grammar but more importantly studies how English works: its syntax, the construction of its clauses, guidelines for punctuation, and the ways in which it continues to evolve and change.

I’m not religious. Why would I take an English class about the Bible?

ENGL 38 and ENGL 39 approach the Old and New Testaments of the Bible as works of literature. For students who are not familiar with the Bible, these classes provide an opportunity to look at entertaining stories that are central to much of Western culture. If you are interested in reading the literature of America, or of Britain, or of the world, these classes will give you essential background that will allow you to read this literature with more insight. For an example of how the class approaches a biblical story, please enjoy the video: “The Old Testament as Literature: Who killed Abimelech?”

As I plan my educational plan, how will I know which literature and language courses will be offered in future semesters?

In the fall, we offer the first half of each survey (ENGL 41, ENGL 44, and ENGL 46). In the spring, we offer the second half (ENGL 42, ENGL 45, and ENGL 47). You are not required to take these classes in order.

I have noticed that many literature classes are offered at the institution where I am planning to transfer and where I plan to major in English, why should I enroll in the literature classes at LBCC?

LBCC literature classes are small, discussion-based classes. You will be guided through the works by a professor who is trained in the material and is enthusiastic about the literature. These are the highest level classes we offer in the English Department, so you will have the highest level of instruction. Students who have transferred appreciate the preparation that LBCC literature classes have given them, and many come back to tell us they wish they had taken more at LBCC.

I took an AP class in high school. Which literature course do I get out of?

The AP exams in English Literature and in Language satisfy the ENGL 1 requirement.