Whatcom Community College
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English Composition & Literature Pathway
This pathway assumes:
- You will be a full-time student.
- You will start in the fall.
- You are ready to take 100- and 200-level classes.
If not, you can still complete the pathway! You will just need to make adjustments. Talk with your advisor to customize your plan.
ENGLISH, ASSOCIATE IN ARTS & SCIENCES (AAS/DTA) (90 CREDITS)
Follow this recommended pathway to earn the AAS/DTA degree and prepare for a university major in English with an emphasis in literature or creative writing; language arts teaching; bilingual teaching; teaching English language learners; or linguistics with an emphasis in English. You can customize your plan even more. Talk with your advisor about adapting it for your individual goals.
Scroll to the end for course suggestions.
Quarter 1
ENGL& 101 English Composition I (5 credits)
| Description | This course helps students become more effective writers in academic and professional settings. Students learn to enter ongoing academic conversations, analyze and use secondary sources to formulate, develop, revise, and communicate ideas in writing, and shape their message to different purposes, audiences, and media. (CC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of ENGL 95 or placement in ENGL& 101. |
| Course Attributes |
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EDUC& 202 Introduction to Education (5 credits)
| Description | Survey course in history, philosophy and principles, issues, and trends in American Education. Includes opportunities for observations of educational models and exploration of career paths. (SS) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
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WORLD LANGUAGE I (5 credits)
Total credits this quarter: 15
Course note: World languages offered at WCC include American Sign Language, Chinese, French, German, Japanese and Spanish.
Career exploration: Find your people! Attend area-of-study activities and connect with clubs related to your career goals.
Action item: Meet with your advisor to build your degree plan.
Action item: Have your transfer-in credits officially evaluated.
Quarter 2
ENGL 161 Introduction to American Literature (5 credits)
| Description | This course introduces students to diverse works of American fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and plays, with an emphasis on critical understanding of the form, the content, and the cultural and historical contexts. (Hwd) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
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MATH& 107 Math In Society (5 credits)
| Description | Formerly MATH 125. Exploration of mathematical concepts with emphasis on observing closely, developing critical thinking, analyzing and synthesizing techniques, improving problem solving skills, and applying concepts to new situations. Core topics are probability and statistics. Additional topics may be chosen from a variety of math areas useful inour society. Graphing calculator required. (QSR,MS) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of MATH 088 or MATH 099 with a minimum grade of C. |
| Course Attributes |
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WORLD LANGUAGE II (5 credits)
Total credits this quarter: 15
Career exploration: Compare the different English majors and combined majors at universities you're interested in.
Career exploration: Explore volunteer opportunities such as Whatcom Literacy Council, libraries, or Friends of Public Library groups.
Action item: Look into upcoming study abroad opportunities. Planning at least six months in advance is best.
Quarter 3
ENGL& 236 Creative Writing I (5 credits)
| Description | This course introduces students to the craft of writing fiction and poetry. Students study the characteristics of fiction and poetry and analyze works by published authors. Students read and think critically about their own and others' imaginative writing and improve their own writing through careful revision. (Hw) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Placement in ENGL& 101 |
| Course Attributes |
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PSYC& 100 General Psychology (5 credits)
| Description | Surveys the knowledge and methods of the discipline of psychology. Emphasis include an overview of current knowledge in major areas of psychology, accessing and assessing information about behavior, skills inscientific reasoning and critical thinking. (SS) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
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ASTR& 100 Survey of Astronomy (5 credits)
| Description | Introduction to astronomy includes background physics essentials; measuring properties of stars; star formation; stellar evolution; stellar explosions and remnants; normal and active galaxies and galactic evolution; big bang and evolution of the universe. (MS) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
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Total credits this quarter: 15
Career exploration: Apply to be a Writing Center tutor.
Career exploration: Look for a summer job or internship related to your career goals.
Action item: Check the GPA and other entry requirements for your future major. Are you on track?
Quarter 4
ENGL 202 Writing About Literature (5 credits)
| Description | This course helps students develop skills in reading and writing about literature. Students analyze literature based on elements of genres, including fiction, poetry, and/or drama, and develop essays using strategies of literary analysis. (CC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of ENGL& 101 with a minimum grade of C-. |
| Course Attributes |
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ENVS& 100 Survey of Environmental Science (5 credits)
| Description | Introductory non-laboratory course in biology emphasizing the environment and its living organisms. Includes discussion of early evolution, energy, ecosystems, and populations, and the balance between man and his environment. Either ENVS& 100 or ENVS& 101 may be taken for credit, not both. (MSws) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Placement in ENGL& 101 |
| Course Attributes |
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CMST& 210 Interpersonal Communication (5 credits)
| Description | Designed to introduce students to basic interpersonal communication theory. Emphasis on topics such as functions of communication, self-concept, perception, conversation skills, relationship development and maintenance, self-disclosure, assertiveness, and conflict management strategies. (OC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Placement in ENGL& 101 |
| Course Attributes |
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or CMST& 220 Public Speaking (5 credits )
| Description | Introduction to communication theory and public speaking emphasizing organization, audience analysis, oral styles, and use of visual aids. Includes presentation of various types of public speeches and analyses of contemporary speeches. Recommended preparation: placement in ENGL& 101. (OC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
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or CMST& 230 Small Group Communication (5 credits )
| Description | Introduces students to the theory and practice of small group communication. Course covers interpersonal relationships in groups, leadership, decision-making, problem solving, and presentations speaking in a variety of settings. Recommended preparation: placement in ENGL& 101. (OC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
|
Total credits this quarter: 15
Course note: Don't substitute anything else for ENGL 202. It's required for every kind of English major.
Career exploration: Work, volunteer or intern in the community, as an ELL tutor in the Learning Center, at the Whatcom Literacy Council, a library, a local newspaper, a law office, etc., depending on your career goals.
Action item: Meet with your advisor about applying to universities. Start your transfer applications.
Action item: Apply for next year's financial aid.
Quarter 5
ENGL 201 Advanced Composition (5 credits)
| Description | This course helps students become more effective communicators through the production of various forms and mediums of writing. Students develop effective rhetorical strategies through analysis of texts and contexts, as well as engaging in independent research as part of meaningful and ethical scholarship. (CC) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of ENGL& 101 with a minimum grade of C-. |
| Course Attributes |
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FILM 101 Introduction to Film (5 credits)
| Description | Introduction to the art of cinema through exposition and examination of basic components of film. (Hw) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
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or ENGL 238 Gender and Literature (5 credits )
| Description | This course introduces students to the field of gender studies as it applies to literature. The emphasis is on critical analysis of literary elements, and the understanding and appreciation the role gender plays in the history, theory, and art of literary production. (Hwd) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of ENGL& 101 |
| Course Attributes |
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GEOL 100 Introduction to Earth Science (5 credits)
| Description | Introduction to geology, oceanography, and meteorology. Interaction of physical processes on earth with human affairs. Lab work included.(MSl) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
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Total credits this quarter: 15
Action item: Apply to graduate by week 3 of this quarter.
Quarter 6
ANTH& 100 Survey of Anthropology (5 credits)
| Description | Introduction to anthropology stressing human origins, cultural diversity, and bio-cultural-ecological adaptations. Topics include human inheritance, evolution, human fossils, prehistoric cultures, and a comparison of resource consumption and economics, human impact on the natural environment, family, politics, values, communication, expressive arts, religion, culture change and globalization. (SSgs) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
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or PSYC& 200 Lifespan Psychology (5 credits )
| Description | Growth and development through the life span including physical, social, cognitive and neurological development. Topics covered included daycare, education, disabilities, parenting, types of families, gender identity and roles, career decisions, illnesses and treatments, aging, retirement, generativity, and dying. (SSw) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of PSYC& 100 and placement into ENGL& 101 |
| Course Attributes |
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ENGL 282 Introduction to World Literature (5 credits)
| Description | This course introduces students to works of ancient to contemporary literature from non-English speaking cultures, including oral and written genres, from Europe, Russia, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Pacific. The emphasis is on critical analysis of literary elements, diverse histories, worldviews and traditions. (Hwg) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of ENGL& 101 |
| Course Attributes |
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or ENGL 124 Environmental Literature (5 credits )
| Description | This course introduces students to literature as a vehicle for international environmental awareness emphasizing the relationship between a writer, the environment, and sense of place. (Hwdgs) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
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or ENGL& 113 Introduction to Poetry (5 credits )
| Description | This course introduces students to the elements of poetry through close reading and analysis. (Hwdg) |
| Enrollment Requirements | None |
| Course Attributes |
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or ENGL 225 Children's Literature I (5 credits )
| Description | This course introduces students to the field of children's literature, spanning classic to contemporary works. The emphasis is on exploringvarious genres, styles, trends, and cultural traditions-through works for the very young to young adults. (Hwd) |
| Enrollment Requirements | Completion of ENGL& 101 |
| Course Attributes |
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ELECTIVE click for list (5 credits)
Total credits this quarter: 15
Action item: Attend the spring job fair.
Course Suggestions
English courses are a valuable element of many career paths.
Teaching K-12 (language arts teaching endorsements)
- CIS 100 Computer Literacy
- CMST& 210 Interpersonal Communication
- CMST& 220 Public Speaking
- EDUC& 115 Child Development
- EDUC& 150 Child/Family/Community
- EDUC& 202 Intro to Education
- ENGL& 111 Intro to Literature
- ENGL 161 Intro to American Literature
- ENGL 225 Children’s Literature
- ENGL 226 Children’s Literature II
- ENGL& 236 Creative Writing I
- ENGL 267 Native American Literature
- LIBR 201 Foundations of Research
- PSYC& 200 Lifespan Psychology
Teaching English language learners (bilingual endorsement program)
- ANTH& 200 Introduction to Language
- EDUC& 202 Intro to Education
- ENGL& 111 Intro to Literature
- ENGL 161 Intro to American Literature
- ENGL 201 Advanced Composition
- ENGL 282 Intro to World Literature
- ESOL 113 Academic ESOL Composition/Reading I*
- ESOL 115 Academic ESOL Composition/Reading II*
- ESOL 117 Academic ESOL Composition/Reading III*
- SOC 250 Multicultural Issues
- World Language (ASL, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Spanish)
*Must be in the ESOL program to take ESOL courses
Teaching literature at the college level (college professor)
- ANTH& 200 Introduction to Language
- ART& 100 Art Appreciation
- ENGL& 111 Intro to Literature
- ENGL& 113 Intro to Poetry
- ENGL 124 Environmental Literature
- ENGL 136 Science Fiction/ Fantasy
- ENGL 150 Intro to British Literature
- ENGL 161 Intro to American Literature
- ENGL 225 Children’s Literature I
- ENGL 238 Gender and Literature
- ENGL 267 Native American Literature
- ENGL 282 Intro to World Literature
- HUM& 101 Intro to the Humanities
- IDS 180 Visual Media and Culture
- LIBR 201 Foundations of Research
- PHIL& 115 Critical Thinking
Teaching composition/rhetoric at the college level (college writing professor)
- ANTH& 200 Introduction to Language
- CMST& 101 Intro to Communication
- CMST& 210 Interpersonal Communication
- CMST& 220 Public Speaking
- ENGL 201 Advanced Composition
- IDS 180 Visual Media and Culture
- PHIL 130 Intro to Ethics
- PHIL& 115 Critical Thinking
- PHIL& 117 Traditional Logic
Practicing law
- BUS& 201 Business Law
- CJ& 101 Intro to Criminal Justice
- CMST& 210 Interpersonal Communication
- CMST& 220 Public Speaking
- ECON 210 Economic Ethics
- ENGL 124 Environmental Literature
- ENGL 201 Advanced Composition
- ENGL& 235 Technical Writing
- LIBR 201 Foundations of Research
- PHIL& 115 Critical Thinking
- PHIL 130 Intro to Ethics
- SOC& 201 Social Problems
Library science (librarian)
- ANTH& 200 Introduction to Language
- ART& 100 Art Appreciation
- CMST& 210 Interpersonal Communication
- CMST& 220 Public Speaking
- CS 101 Computers and Software
- ENGL& 111 Intro to Literature
- ENGL 124 Environmental Literature
- ENGL 201 Advanced Composition
- ENGL& 235 Technical Writing
- LIBR 201 Foundations of Research
- PHIL& 115 Critical Thinking
Marketing/business communication/CEO
- ART 185 Intro to Visual Communication
- BTEC 122 Business Document Design
- BTEC 161 Database Management
- BTEC 181 Intro to Presentation Software
- BUS& 101 Intro to Business
- BUS 108 Principles of Marketing
- BUS 223 Principles of Management
- CMST& 102 Intro to Mass Media
- CMST& 210 Interpersonal Communication
- CMST& 220 Public Speaking
- CMST 245 Organizational Communication
- ECON 100 Survey of Economic Principles
- ECON 210 Economic Ethics
- ENGL 124 Environmental Literature
- ENGL 201 Advanced Composition
- ENGL& 235 Technical Writing
- ENGL 267 Native American Literature
- ENGL 282 Intro to World Literature
- FILM 265 American LGBTQ+ Cinema
- IDS 170 Intro to Sustainability
- IDS 180 Visual Media and Culture
- LIBR 201 Foundations of Research
- MATH 145 Algebra Applications for Economics and Business
- MATH& 146 Intro to Statistics
- MATH& 148 Business Calculus
- PHIL& 115 Critical Thinking
- PHIL 130 Intro to Ethics
- PHIL 132 Environmental Ethics
Creative writing/screenwriting/film production
- ART 185 Intro to Visual Communication
- CMST& 102 Intro to Mass Media
- DRMA& 101 Intro to Theatre
- DRMA 125 Acting I
- ENGL 136 Science Fiction/Fantasy
- ENGL 201 Advanced Composition
- ENGL& 236 Creative Writing I
- ENGL& 237 Creative Writing II
- FILM 101 Intro to Film
- FILM 130 Intro to Film History
- FILM 210 Film Genres
- FILM 220 Film Adaptations
- FILM 240 Documentary Film
- FILM 264 Women in Film
- FILM 265 American LGBTQ+ Cinema
- FILM 280 International Film
- HUM& 101 Intro to the Humanities
- IDS 180 Visual Media and Culture
- JOURN 210 Writing for the Mass Media
- LIBR 201 Foundations of Research
- MATH 145 Algebra Applications for Economics and Business
- MATH& 148 Business Calculus
Technical writing/digital communication
- ART 185 Intro to Visual Communication
- BTEC 122 Business Document Design
- BTEC 161 Database Management
- BTEC 181 Intro to Presentation Software
- CIS 100 Computer Literacy
- CMST& 102 Intro to Mass Media
- CMST& 210 Interpersonal Communication
- ENGL 201 Advanced Composition
- ENGL& 235 Technical Writing
- FILM 101 Intro to Film
- FILM 130 Intro to Film History
- FILM 210 Film Genres
- FILM 220 Film Adaptations
- FILM 240 Documentary Film
- FILM 264 Women in Film
- FILM 265 American LGBTQ+ Cinema
- FILM 280 International Film
- IDS 161 Literature/Science/Gender
- IDS 180 Visual Media and Culture
- JOURN 120 Horizon Staff (student news media)
- JOURN 210 Writing for the Mass Media
- JOURN 211 Advanced Reporting/Editing
- LIBR 201 Foundations of Research
- MATH& 146 Intro to Statistics
- PHIL& 115 Critical Thinking
Health sciences/medicine
- Biology courses (course requirements depend on your specific goals)
- Chemistry courses (course requirements depend on your specific goals)
- CMST& 210 Interpersonal Communication
- CMST& 220 Public Speaking
- CMST 245 Organizational Communication
- EDUC& 115 Child Development
- EDUC& 150 Child/Family/Community
- ENGL 161 Intro to American Literature
- ENGL 201 Advanced Composition
- ENGL 225 Children’s Literature I
- ENGL& 235 Technical Writing
- ENGL 238 Gender and Literature
- ENGL 267 Native American Literature
- ENGL 282 Intro to World Literature
- FILM 264 Women in Film
- FILM 265 American LGBTQ+ Cinema
- IDS 161 Literature/Science/Gender
- LIBR 201 Foundations of Research
- MATH& 146 Intro to Statistics
- MATH& 151 Calculus I
- MATH& 152 Calculus II
- MATH& 163 Calculus III
- PHIL 130 Intro to Ethics
- PHIL& 115 Critical Thinking
- PHYS& 114 General Physics
- PSYC& 200 Lifespan Psychology
- SOC 250 Multicultural Issues
- World Language (ASL, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Spanish)
Linguistics
- ANTH& 200 Introduction to Language
- ANTH& 206 Cultural Anthropology
- BTEC 161 Database Management
- ENGL 201 Advanced Composition
- ENGL& 113 Intro to Poetry
- ENGL& 235 Technical Writing
- ENGL 282 Intro to World Literature
- ESOL 113 Academic ESOL Composition/Reading I *
- ESOL 115 Academic ESOL Composition/Reading II*
- ESOL 117 Academic ESOL Composition/Reading III*
- FILM 280 International Film
- LIBR 201 Foundations of Research
- PHIL& 115 Critical Thinking
- SOC 250 Multicultural Issues
- World Language (ASL, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Spanish)
*Must be in the ESOL program to take ESOL courses
Linguistics with computer science focus
Add to the above list:
- CS 101 Computers and Software
- CS& 141 Computer Science I - Java
- CS 145 Computer Science II
- MATH& 151 Calculus I
- MATH 204 Intro to Linear Algebra
Linguistics with speech pathology/audiology focus
- ANTH& 200 Introduction to Language
- CMST& 210 Interpersonal Communication
- CMST& 220 Public Speaking
- EDUC& 115 Child Development
- EDUC& 150 Child/Family/Community
- ENGL 225 Children’s Literature I
- ENGL& 235 Technical Writing
- IDS 161 Literature/Science/Gender
- LIBR 201 Foundations of Research
- MATH& 146 Intro to Statistics
- PHIL& 115 Critical Thinking
- PSYC& 200 Lifespan Psychology
- World Language (ASL, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Spanish)