English: Composition, Literature, and Creative Writing

The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of a true education.
– Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The Cypress College English Department offers a transfer program that includes composition, literature, creative writing, and humanities. Our mission is to provide courses that are innovative, flexible, and challenging to meet academic standards for transfer, vocation, and personal development. The program offers online, hybrid, accelerated, and learning community classes, as well as an AA in English degree.

English Department faculty strive to support and advance students’ abilities to read, write, and think both analytically and creatively.

Notice

You are now able to use the Guided Self-Placement tool in lieu of taking the assessment exams. To use the tool, click the button below.

Guided Self-Placement for Math and English Placement

What You’ll Study

English Skills
Basic Study Skills
Reading & Writing
College Writing Preparation
College Reading Strategies
College Writing
Literature
Critical Reasoning and Writing
Critical Analysis and Literature
Creative Writing
Critical Reading, Writing and Thinking
Writing the Personal Statement

Humanities: Ancient and Medieval
Humanities: Renaissance-Present
Academic Reading and Study Strategies
The Film
Screenwriting
Poetry Writing
Short Story Writing
Creative Nonfiction Writing
Grammar and Usage
College Study Strategies
Asian American Literature

English Literature
American Literature
Literary Journal Publication
Shakespeare
Children’s Literature
Mythology
Multicultural Literature
Science Fiction
African-American Literature
Arabic Literature
Writing in the Health Sciences

Catalog

Visit our catalog for more information about the degrees and certificates, courses, and program learning outcomes for students majoring in English.

Careers & Salary

Careers

English Language Teacher
Literature Teacher
Secondary School Teacher
Writer
Author

Salary

Low: $43k
Average: $81k
High: $200k

Program Mapper

Open Book Icon — Visit our Program Mapper for more information.

What Students Say

“Above all, the faculty anchored me to Cypress. I was thrilled by their dedication, passion, knowledge for their subjects, and their willingness to always meet with me during office hours to talk. I felt valued and included in a way I’d never experienced from past teachers.”

William Conley

“I’ve also been fortunate to have some of the best professors. They are knowledgeable, empathetic, helpful and, most importantly, passionate. None are just going through the motions of teaching, but rather, really taking pride in what they do. Their passion helps me to feel excited for what’s to come!”

Jolene Gazmen

Faculty

Adjunct Faculty

Tamar Altebarmakian
Jacqueline Barretto
Justin Brewer
Andrea Briseno
Idalith Bustos
Judith Castillo
Karen Coley
Mouminat Damer
Sarah Daugherty
Derrick Drury
Danielle Dymond
Adira Edmund
Nicole Embrey
Dahlia Flores-Salcido
Elaine Folayan
Diane Gabriel
Devon Garcia
Alyssa Garmin
Nicholas Gil
Christy Groves
Mark Hyer
Josiah Jure
Cassandra Kilzer
Kevin Knowles
Corey Leis
Alexander Lennert
Miles Magnesi
Tyler Malone
Rudith Maravilla
Freddy Martinez
Anna Morrison
Janet Nau
Janessa Osle
Levon Parseghian
Alan Passman
Claire Pelonis
Jax Pham
Laura Powell
Maureen Provenzano
Mallory Reeves
Thomas Reynolds
Emily Robles
Cara Sharp
Nora Simoes
Bede Ssensalo
Anthony Stevenson
Burlee Vang
Ruby Villarruel
Ann Warren
Amanda Wetrick

English Department

Location: Humanities, 2nd Floor
T: (714) 484-7169
Department Chairs: Joseph Melodia, jmelodia@cypresscollege.edu and Kathleen McAlister, kmcalister@cypresscollege.edu

Department Website

Language Arts Website

English Success Center