Faculty in the English Department help students improve reading, writing, and thinking abilities, all of which are necessary components in any major field of study. Most students at COS take our reading and composition courses to fulfill either transfer or graduation requirements or to enhance their writing and critical thinking skills.
In addition to composition courses, the department offers a variety of courses in literature including period literature surveys in American Literature, British Literature, and World Literature. We also offer specialty courses like Composition and Literature, Chicano Literature, African-American Literature, Women and Literature, Shakespeare, and Creative Writing. An English major prepares a student for a number of professional opportunities — law, teaching, publishing, broadcasting, journalism, and many more.
Contact Information
English Division Chair
Matthew Nelson | (559) 737-5420 | matthewn@cos.edu
Kern: 733E | Visalia Campus
Dean of Arts and Letters
Richard Lubben | (559) 730-3735 | richardl@cos.edu
Tule: 550 | Visalia Campus
For a complete list of courses and descriptions visit: COURSES
ENGL 001 College Reading and Composition
4 unit(s)
English 001: College Reading and Composition is a first-year course created to support your development as a college-educated reader and writer. This course offers you an opportunity to explore texts from a variety of diverse voices and enter into conversations with creative thinkers. We will empower you to make choices in your writing that strengthen your voice as a scholar and persuade your audience. You will reflect on your writing practices to figure out what writing strategies work best for you. In this course, you will develop research strategies, learn how to find credible information, and incorporate those sources into your writing to support your arguments. Ultimately, English 001 is your invitation to imagine big ideas and learn how to share those ideas effectively with others. Students in English 001 have many opportunities for extra support, including supplemental learning assistance provided by visiting The Writing Center (aka
ENGL 400, an open entry/open exit non-credit course). (C-ID ENGL100)
ENGL 002 Critical Reading, Writing, and Reasoning
3 unit(s)
We are constantly being exposed to information and ideas, but how do we determine what information is reliable and relevant? How do experiences and beliefs shape the way we process ideas? How can we be better evaluators of information and better decision makers? What makes a particular argument persuasive to one group of people but completely absurd to another? English 002 will explore these questions as you develop critical reading, writing, and reasoning skills beyond what you learned in English 001. In this course you’ll be invited to read and analyze a diverse range of texts from multiple modalities and reflect on the lenses through which you interpret that information. You’ll determine how the authors make choices to persuade specific audiences, and then have opportunities to make your own writing choices as you enter the conversations of today. Students in English 002 have many opportunities for extra support, including supplemental learning assistance provided by visiting The Writing Center (aka
ENGL 400, an open entry/open exit non-credit course). (C-ID ENGL105)
ENGL 004 Composition and Literature
3 unit(s)
English 004 is an introduction to literature--including the short story, the novel, poetry, and drama--through close reading and analysis of literature and literary theory, discussion, research, and writing. Supplemental learning assistance is available for students to strengthen skills and to reinforce mastery of concepts. Students enrolled in
ENGL 004 may access the supplemental learning assistance by enrolling in
ENGL 400, an open entry/open exit non-credit course. (C-ID ENGL120)
ENGL 010 Chicano Literature
3 unit(s)
This course examines Chicano literature through poetry, short stories, essays, drama, and novels, which are used as a means of providing a panoramic view of the Chicano experience. Students will be expected to write a minimum of 4,000 words. Students enrolled in
ENGL 010 may access supplemental learning assistance by enrolling in
ENGL 400, an open entry/open exit non-credit course.
ENGL 014 Creative Writing
3 unit(s)
An introduction to the writing of fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. Using the peer workshop method, students will practice writing in multiple genres. Students enrolled in
ENGL 014 may access supplemental learning assistance by enrolling in
ENGL 400, an open entry/open exit non-credit course.
ENGL 015 Survey of British Literature 1
3 unit(s)
This course examines major works of early British literature from Beowulf through the eighteenth century. Students will be expected to write a minimum of 4,000 words. Students enrolled in
ENGL 015 may access supplemental learning assistance by enrolling in
ENGL 400, an open entry/open exit non-credit course. (C-ID ENGL160)
ENGL 016 Survey of British Literature 2
3 unit(s)
This course examines major works of British literature from the Romantic period to the present. Students will be expected to write a minimum of 4,000 words. Students enrolled in
ENGL 016 may access the supplemental learning assistance by enrolling in
ENGL 400, an open entry/open exit non-credit course. (C-ID ENGL165)
ENGL 018 African American Literature
3 unit(s)
ENGL 018 is a study of African American literature including novels, short stories, poetry and plays, from the Colonial period to the present. Students will be expected to write a minimum of 4,000 words. Students enrolled in
ENGL 018 may access the supplemental learning assistance by enrolling in
ENGL 400, an open entry/open exit non-credit course.
ENGL 019 Women in Literature
3 unit(s)
This course examines literature about or by women including myths, short stories, essays, novels, and poetry. Students will be expected to write a minimum of 4,000 words. Students enrolled in
ENGL 019 may access supplemental learning assistance by enrolling in
ENGL 400, an open entry/open exit non-credit course.
ENGL 030 American Literature 1
3 unit(s)
This course examines major works of early American literature from the Colonial period through the Civil War. Students will be expected to write a minimum of 4,000 words. Students enrolled in
ENGL 030 may access supplemental learning assistance by enrolling in
ENGL 400, an open entry/open exit non-credit course. (C-ID ENGL130)
ENGL 031 American Literature 2
3 unit(s)
This course examines major works of American literature from the end of the Civil War to the present. Students will be expected to write a minimum of 4,000 words. Students enrolled in
ENGL 031 may access supplemental learning assistance by enrolling in
ENGL 400, an open entry/open exit non-credit course. (C-ID ENGL135)
ENGL 044 World Literature 1
3 unit(s)
This course examines major works of ancient world literature from antiquity through the mid-seventeenth century. Students will be expected to write a minimum of 4,000 words. Students enrolled in
ENGL 044 may access supplemental learning assistance by enrolling in
ENGL 400, an open entry/open exit non-credit course. (C-ID ENGL140)
ENGL 045 World Literature 2
3 unit(s)
This course examines major works of modern world literature from the mid-seventeenth century to the present. Students will be expected to write a minimum of 4,000 words. Students enrolled in
ENGL 045 may access supplemental learning assistance by enrolling in
ENGL 400, an open entry/open exit non-credit course. (C-ID ENGL145)
ENGL 046 Shakespeare
3 unit(s)
This course examines the works of William Shakespeare. Students will be expected to write a minimum of 4,000 words. Students enrolled in
ENGL 046 may access supplemental learning assistance by enrolling in
ENGL 400, an open entry/open exit non-credit course.
ENGL 123 Introduction to Writing Consultancy
2 unit(s)
ENGL 123 introduces students to the theory and practice of writing consultancy. Students will receive instruction both in effective techniques for responding to student writing and in the theoretical framework influencing student consultations.
ENGL 124 Writing Consultancy Theory and Practice
2 unit(s)
ENGL 124 offers students the chance to develop expertise in the theoretical and practical considerations involved in writing consultancy. Students will receive instruction in identifying, describing, and supporting student writers as they work with increasingly challenging problems in their writing. Students in
ENGL 124 will expand their practices for working with higher-order concerns in student writing, and will be introduced to strategies and techniques for working lower-order concerns in student writing.
ENGL 125 Writing Center Pedagogy
2 unit(s)
ENGL 125 is an intensive study in Rhetoric and Composition pedagogy designed to introduce students to the pedagogical frameworks supporting the Writing Center and its practices. Students will learn about the history of writing instruction at the college level, becoming familiar with major pedagogical schools and theories, interacting with different models of the writing process and argumentation to develop an understanding of how these discourses influence learning. Students will use the knowledge from this intensive study to refine and theorize their consulting sessions in the Writing Center.
ENGL 126 Research Project in Writing Center Consulting
2 unit(s)
ENGL 126 is an intensive, individualized course of study intended for experienced Writing Center consultants interested in developing an area of expertise within the realm of tutoring. Having chosen their focus, students will investigate current research and scholarly work on the issue, analyzing their own practices and the practice of the Writing Center in light of the ongoing scholarly conversation. They will use their research to revise their practices, to develop new strategies and techniques, and to foster discussion among their peers at the Writing Center.
ENGL 301 Academic Literacy and Composition Support
2 unit(s)
ENGL 301 provides intensive instruction and practice in fundamental academic reading, writing, and research skills. This course is designed for students concurrently enrolled in
ENGL 001 who, through placement, have demonstrated additional need for support. Students will explore their academic and literacy identities, develop help seeking behaviors, practice formulating arguments, exercise critical thinking, build and strengthen reading strategies, and engage in effective elementary research practices.
ENGL 380 Vocabulary Building for Tests
1 unit(s)
This vocabulary building course assists students preparing for the State of California Court Interpreter examination and other standardized tests, such as the SAT, ACT, GRE, and LSAT. Strategies for discerning the meaning of words through roots, suffixes, and prefixes are covered, as well as other test taking tips.
ENGL 400 English Supplemental Learning Assistance
0 unit(s)
English Supplemental Learning Assistance is supervised tutoring intended to strengthen students' reading and writing skills and reinforce their mastery of concepts. This open entry/open exit class is linked with
ENGL 001,
ENGL 002,
ENGL 004, ENGL 261, and
ENGL 301.
English
Armstrong, Erik
B.A., California State University, Chico
M.A., California State University, Chico
Beberian, Katie
B.A., California State University, Fresno
M.A., California State University, Fresno
M.S., California State University, Monterey Bay
Bergen, Sondra
A.A., College Of The Sequoias
B.A., Fresno Pacific University
M.A., Utah State University
Brand, Stacy
B.A., University Of Arkansas
M.A., Florida State University
M.F.A., California State University, Fresno
Espinoza, James
B.A., Loyola Marymount University
M.F.A., California State University, Fresno
Froese, Emily
B.A., Fresno Pacific University
M.A., California State University, Fresno
Geist, Joshua
B.S., California State University, Fresno
M.F.A., California State University, Fresno
Howland, Steven
B.A., California State University, Fresno
M.A., Ohio University
M.F.A., California State University, Fresno
Hurst, David
B.A., California State University, Fresno
M.F.A., California State University, Fresno
Lynch, Christina
B.A., Harvard University
M.F.A., Antioch University, Los Angeles
Mangnall, Richard
B.A., California State University, Northridge
M.A., California State University, Northridge
M.A., California State University, Fresno
Maryanow, Jeffrey
B.A., Auburn University
M.A., University Of Memphis
McDonnell, Maureen
B.A., Santa Clara University
M.A., University of Michigan
Ph.D., University of Michigan
McHarry-Freeman, Lisa
B.A., California State University, Fresno
M.A., California State University, Fresno
Moore, Jamie
B.A., California State University, Sonoma
M.A., University of California, Merced
M.F.A., Antioch University, Los Angeles
Nakamura, Brice
B.A., California State University, Fresno
M.A., California State University, Fresno
M.Ed., California State University, East Bay
Nelson, Matthew, Ph.D.
B.A., University of California, Riverside
M.A., Columbia University, New York
Ph.D., Tufts University, Boston
Parker, Charles
B.A., Jackson State University
M.A.T., Jackson State University
Spencer, Landon
B.A., California State University, Chico
M.A., University Of Washington
Tejeda, Lucia
B.A., University of California, Los Angeles
M.A., University of California, Los Angeles
Teller, Joseph, Ph.D.
B.A., California State University, Fresno
M.A., California State University, Fresno
M.A., University Of Notre Dame
Ph.D., University Of Notre Dame
Turner, Greg
A.A., College Of The Sequoias
B.A., California State University, Fresno
M.A., California State University, Fresno
Urban, Monica, Ph.D.
B.A., University of California, Santa Barbara
Ph.D., University of Miami
Vaughn, Emily
B.A., California State University, Fresno
M.A., California State University, Fresno