English majors must demonstrate intermediate-level proficiency in a language other than English. Cal Poly offers intermediate-level instruction in several languages. We encourage majors to study abroad, and many students choose to complete their language requirement in another country.

Though the core of the major is literature, students may choose an emphasis in fiction- or poetry-writing. The emphasis consists of one introductory workshop, two advanced workshops, one upper-division course in modern or contemporary literature in the student's chosen genre, and the senior project in that genre.

Learning Outcomes

• Think critically and creatively about literature and language.
• Write clearly and effectively about literature and language in a variety of formats.
• Explicate literary texts from the diverse range of works and traditions.
• Incorporate scholarly research into papers.
• Understand a wide range of historical and critical literary linguistic terms and categories.