English Literature

Welcome to English Literature where we invite you to read, reflect, imagine, and create by engaging in diverse English language and writing from all over the world. 

two students studying

English and creative writing majors engage in the advanced study of literature and other storytelling media including film, theater, and podcasts. Our curriculum emphasizes diverse literatures in English — British to Hispanic, African American to Asian American, diasporic to postcolonial — across a range of historical periods. 

Develop your academic interests in at least one of four tracks: 

  • Creative Writing
  • Cultural Studies
  • Performance Studies

Our unique partnerships provide students with opportunities to take their literature studies beyond the classroom. Examples include: 

English majors culminate their studies in a self-directed capstone project in close consultation with faculty mentors, as well as a professional internship. 

Minor

The English minor offers students the chance to take electives in a variety of literary traditions and genres. With approval,  students may craft a personalized course of study which may include coursework in Honors, Humanities, or Communications, in addition to English. Learn more about our Minor Requirements on our course catalog.

We also offer a Creative Writing minor. Through the study of technique and form, as well as models from masters of the craft, you’ll gain writing skills across multiple genres under the mentorship of talented faculty.

Career Paths

Our program prepares students for civically engaged futures in our increasingly global and networked world. Majors and minors have gone on to become analysts, teachers, lawyers, writers, editors, screenwriters, marketers, community organizers, managers, politicians, CEOs, entrepreneurs, or have entered graduate school. 

Concentrations

Students choosing the Creative Writing track share core courses undertaken by all English majors, and also learn the craft of creating original fiction, poetry, drama, and creative nonfiction from award-winning writers on our faculty. 

The Performance Studies track elaborates the study of drama, film, music, dance, and other hybrid forms with a focus on multimedia and expressions of the body.

The Cultural Studies track deepens knowledge of literary and historical contexts through interdisciplinary coursework in History and Political Science, Visual Studies, Humanities, Social Justice, and international languages. You may also study abroad to satisfy your requirements.

Admissions and Aid

A degree from a private university like Dominican University of California is more accessible than you might think. For most students there is no application fee and we don't ask for test scores. We're also proud to say that more than 99 percent of our first-year incoming students receive financial aid, which makes paying for school within reach.

Learn More About Admissions and Aid

Faculty and Staff

Carlos Rodriguez headshot

Carlos Rodriguez, MA

Assistant Professor of English
Joan Baranow headshot

Joan Baranow, PhD

Professor of English
Judy Halebsky headshot

Judy Halebsky, PhD

Director of the MFA Professor of English

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Expertises
Amy Wong headshot

Amy R. Wong, PhD

Associate Professor of English Chair of Literature, Language, and Humanities
Dan May

Dan May, MA

Assistant Professor
dominican seal

Thomas Burke

Adjunct Professor
Vivian Delchamps headshot

Vivian Delchamps, PhD

Assistant Professor of English
Claudia Morales

Claudia Morales Ramirez

Assistant Professor of English
dominican seal

Gary "Dean" Rader

Adjunct Assistant Professor

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