If you think English is only about grammar, think again! In English classes, you can expect to study humanity through reading and analyzing texts and through producing your own writing to develop strong skills in communication, critical thinking, and empathy--all essential for human development and hot commodities in any job market.
View Transfer Options, Degrees & Certificates
Many employers are seeking people who can think critically and express messages clearly in today’s workforce. A Literature and/or Creative Writing major will foster these skills with practice in critical thinking, analysis, expression, and exploration of diverse voices in writing. In Literature, students will gain a foundation in close reading and discussing major themes within novels, poems, plays, speeches, works of non-fiction, and other texts. In Creative Writing, students have the opportunity to study and compose primary texts, building their own portfolio of work. Studying Literature and Creative Writing often catapults individuals to careers in marketing, law, public relations, teaching, journalism, information science, and a variety of other fields.
Program Length
On average, if a student attends full time, they are able to complete these programs within two years.
Transfer Options
The English literature major at IVC offers lower-division coursework — including survey courses, genre-based courses, and specialized topics — that prepares students for the critical and literary analysis that they will engage in after transfer to a four-year institution.
The English creative writing major offers an opportunity to learn about and practice the craft of various genres--creative nonfiction, fiction, poetry, and screenwriting--with published writers, as well as an opportunity to experience the world of publishing through work on our literary journal, The Ear.
IVC English majors have transferred to UCs, CSUs, and private colleges such as Chapman and USC.
Program Specific Support
The Writing Center is both a beautiful on-campus space for completing academic work and an online platform where students can meet one-on-one with professors to discuss their writing in a friendly, supportive environment.
