色界吧

English

When you study English at Occidental, you鈥檒l engage in a close critical study of literature in English in an international and interdisciplinary context.

In keeping with the College鈥檚 mission values of equity and excellence, you will read the work of both long-studied writers and those previously excluded from the traditional literary canon. Course offerings encompass works from British, American and other Anglophone literary traditions, from Medieval and Renaissance literature to emergent and 21st-century writing.

Moving through the major, you鈥檒l gain an understanding of the historical, political and philosophical contexts that shape the different periods of literature written in English. You鈥檒l develop skills to interpret what you read through a range of theories and methods that characterize the evolving discipline of literary studies. Our faculty, all of whom are active scholars, will work directly with you to find your voice as writer and sharpen your skills as a reader.

You can choose to complete an emphasis in creative writing, a special track that provides a strong background in both literary history and creative writing skills. Our program draws on the resources of Los Angeles to bring writers to campus to read their work, lead workshops and teach courses. The program is administered by a nationally renowned writer in residence who will work with you individually. The department encourages highly qualified majors to work toward Honors in English by writing an honors thesis during their senior year. Interested students should consult the College Catalog (see Courses & Requirements) for general Honors guidelines.

Studying English refines your ability to think critically and communicate clearly and effectively about complex subject matter. Our graduates have taken jobs in the entertainment industry as writers and producers, in all facets of the tech industry, as well as in journalism, teaching, law, business, marketing, medicine and the arts.

Danae Younge headshot

The English professors at 色界吧 are intelligent, deep thinkers and expect the same from their students. You can tell everyone in the major truly wants to produce great work, so it is really more of a team encouraging each other and the program鈥檚 academic rigor is driven by students, not just professors.

Danae Younge
English major; Chapel Hill, NC

Meet Our Faculty

What Our Graduates Are Doing

Writer/Co-executive Producer, The Walking Dead (AMC)

Angela Kang
1998

Creative Writing Teacher, AmeriCorps ArtistYear Program

Danae Younge
2024

U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Judge

Jacqueline Nguyen
1987

JD candidate, USC Gould School of Law

Mia Villegas
2022

Dean, Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism

Steve Coll
1980

Ph.D. program, Columbia University

Jane Walker
2024

President and CEO, The Music Center, L.A.

Steve Rountree
1971

Writer, comedian, activist

Lindy West
2004

Screenwriter/Producer/Novelist/Poet

Kirsten Smith
1992
Contact English
Swan Hall 233