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English 1A (First Year Composition) at Berkeley City College

We are here to support you!

At Berkeley City College, all students are eligible to enroll in English 1A and should enroll in their first semester.

English 1A is a course that gives you foundational college-level skills in writing, reading, and research – skills that you will use throughout your college career and beyond. Taking this class in your first semester will help you succeed in college because you are required to use these skills in many of your other college courses and because it’s a prerequisite to at least one other class that you will need to transfer or get your associate degree.

Some students will enroll in English 1A by itself, and others will enroll in English 1A PLUS. In English 1A PLUS, you’ll receive help from your teacher and well-trained writing coaches in a supplemental lab course to maximize your chances of success. The lab portion of the class will provide you time and space to start assignments, check your learning, ask questions, and practice what you learn in English 1A lecture.

Please use the following guidelines to help you enroll:

  • If your overall high school grade point average was below 2.6, please enroll in English 1A PLUS (consisting of English 1A, linked to English 508A, 508B, and 508C). The cost to you will be the same as if you had enrolled in English 1A.
  • If your overall high school grade point average was 2.6 or above, please enroll in English 1A, rather than English 1A PLUS.
  • If you don’t know your overall high school grade point average or you attended high school more than ten years ago, please use the Berkeley City College English 1A Guided Self-Placement tool to help you determine whether you should enroll in English 1A PLUS or English 1A. A counselor (including Quick Stop counselor), student ambassador, Admissions and Records staff member, or Placement and Orientation staff member can direct you to the Guided Self-Placement tool.

Degrees/Certificates

Academic Composition Skills - Certificate of Competency
Summary
This certificate ensures necessary skills in fundamentals of English composition and research for students enrolled in composition courses.  Students who complete this program will have skills which will help them succeed in future courses that require essay writing.
Learning Outcome(s)
  1. Write well organized, well developed, well edited, and clear essays
Career Opportunities
This program is designed to ensure that students have academic skills required to be successful in their academic goals, which ultimately allows for success in career goals.
    English - AA-T Degree
    Summary

    Berkeley City College's English AA-T serves students with a wide variety of goals, including transfer to U.C., C.S.U., or other four-year institutions. Students intending to transfer to U.C. Berkeley with the English major can complete all of the lower-division major preparation coursework at B.C.C. (English 17A or B, 85A, 85B, and 85C). They will learn high-level skills in essay composition and literary analysis.

    Students who successfully complete the AA-T in English earn specific guarantees for transfer to the CSU system: admission to a CSU with junior status, and priority admission to a local CSU campus and to a program or major in English or a similar major. Students transferring to a CSU campus will be required to complete no more than 60 units after transfer to earn a bachelor’s degree.

    Students are required to complete 60 semester units that are eligible for transfer to a California State University, including both of the following: (1) The Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or the California State University General Education – Breadth Requirements and (2) 21 semester units with a grade of C or better in the major and an overall minimum grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 in all CSU transferable coursework. For a more detailed description, see “Associate Degrees for Transfer (ADT) to a California State University”.

    Students are advised to consult with a Berkeley City College counselor for additional information and to verify transfer requirements.

    Learning Outcome(s)
    1. Write well organized, well developed, effective, well edited, logically sound, and clear essays
    2. Apply active reading strategies in order to critically analyze texts
    3. Effectively analyze literature — fiction, poetry, drama, and creative non-fiction — in light of historical context, critical theories, and formal elements
    Career Opportunities
    Transfer to a 4-year university with a major in English or a related discipline.
      Creative Writing/Fiction - Certificate of Achievement
      Summary
      Students who complete the the Certificate of Achievement in Creative Writing/Fiction learn expressive and linguistic skills that apply to writing of fiction as well as other types of writing, including fiction, non-fiction, and professional prose.
      Learning Outcome(s)
      1. Write a piece of fiction with strong character development, plot, conflict, and dialogue, using original language
      2. Write a novella or short story collection with strong character development, plot, conflict, and dialogue, using original language
      3. Research venues for publication or public presentation of work
        Creative Writing/Playwriting and Screenwriting - Certificate of Proficiency
        Summary
        Students who complete the Certificate of Proficiency in Creative Writing/Playwriting and Screenwriting learn skills in development of screenplays and plays, from development to performance.
        Learning Outcome(s)
        1. Write a play or screenplay with strong use of voice, characterization, dialogue, and plotting, using original and effective language
        2. Research venues for publication or public presentation of work
          Creative Writing/Poetry - Certificate of Achievement
          Summary
          Students who complete the the Certificate of Achievement in Creative Writing/Poetry learn expressive and linguistic skills that apply to writing of poetry as well as other types of writing, including fiction, non-fiction, and professional prose.
          Learning Outcome(s)
          1. Write a poem with strong use of voice, imagery, and poetic conventions of form and sound, using original language
          2. Write a well sequenced collection of poetry of at least 24 pages, with strong use of voice, imagery, and poetic conventions of form and sound, using original language
          3. Research venues for publication or public presentation of work
            English Language/Writing - A.A. Degree
            Summary
            The Berkeley City College A.A. in English Language/Writing serves students with diverse goals, including transfer and development of strong skills in creative and/or expository writing. This degree prepares students for transfer , leading to careers in education, law, business, and all fields in which analysis and communication are valued.
            Learning Outcome(s)
            1. Write well organized, well developed, effective, well edited, logically sound, and clear essays
            2. Write effective, well edited, well organized research papers of 3,000-5,000 words which apply appropriate and clear organizational strategies
            3. Apply active reading strategies in order to identify main ideas and critically analyze and explain ideas in texts
            4. Apply writing strategies in a variety of genres, considering audience, context, purpose, and genre-specific conventions
              Tutor Training - Certificate of Completion
              Summary

              Students who receive the Tutor Training Certificate of Completion will have completed all coursework to qualify to receive International Tutor Training Program certificates, which show that they are able to tutor effectively in at least one specific discipline and to empower fellow students to be independent, resilient, and self-confident learners.  

              Because the College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA) has determined that Berkeley City College meets the guidelines to award International Tutor Training Program Certifications (ITTPC), certified tutors are able to demonstrate that their training has met international standards, which enhances their ability to find employment in high schools, community colleges, and adult schools, as well as in private tutoring.

              Learning Outcome(s)
              1. Demonstrate the ability to tutor effectively, fostering independent learning and resilience, teaching targeted skills and concepts, and addressing students' psychological barriers to learning
              2. Demonstrate the ability to tutor effectively in subject-specific and/or skill-specific areas, teaching targeted skills and concepts, demonstrating cultural awareness and sensitivity to diversity, and addressing students' special needs
              Career Opportunities
              Students who complete this program qualify for the College Reading and Learning Association guidelines for International Tutor Training Program Certifications (ITTPC), a nationally recognized program. Certified tutors are able to demonstrate that their training has met national standards, which enhances their ability to find employment in community colleges and adult schools, as well as in private tutoring.

                Faculty

                Full-Time Faculty

                Scott Hoshida, English
                Co-Chair, Jenny Lowood, English
                Tomás Moniz, English
                Co-Chair, Adán Olmedo, English
                Cleavon Smith, English
                Sonya Wozniak, English

                Part-Time Faculty

                Bukola Adesokan, English
                Tracey Black, Education
                Steve Budd, English
                Sharon Coleman, English
                Grace Ebron, English
                Heather Fullerton, English
                Hollie Hardy, English
                Eric Heltzel, English
                Meredith Isaksen, English
                Linda King, English
                Katherine Koelle, English
                Michelle Koerner, English
                Chris Lebo-Planas, English
                Julianne Leigh, English
                Marc Lispi, English
                Anna Mantzaris, English
                Sabrina Nelson, English
                Jessie Nguyen-Bilse, English
                Patricia Nunley, Education
                Shannon Penn, Learning Resources
                Louisa Roberts, English
                Annette Roman, English
                Karen Seneferu, English
                Laura Smyrl, English
                Terry Tricomi, English
                Laura Woltag, English
                Charis Woodward, English
                Zoe Young, English
                Georgie Ziff, English
                Amy Zink, English
                Laura Zink, English

                The Berkeley City College Writing Center

                 

                We offer writing workshop classes that will give you consistent support to improve your writing skills :

                English 208 (A, B, C, or D): Writing Workshop (1 unit) or English 518 (A, B, C, or D) (0 units)

                This course is intended to supplement work in all classes which require essay writing, based on student needs. It is not a drop-in lab. Students will receive coaching to develop the skills they need to plan, organize, develop, edit, and revise their own work. They will have the benefits of ongoing structure and support.

                Mondays 6-8:50 pm (beginning in the third week of the semester) online

                Friday 9:30-12 (beginning in the third week of the semester) in room 313

                Friday 1:30-3:50 pm (beginning in the third week of the semester) in room 313

                ESOL 255 (A, B, C, or D) Writing Workshop for ESOL students (1.5 units) or ESOL 555 (A, B, C, or D) Composition Skills (0 units) – see the schedule for days and times

                A limited amount of tutoring in writing is available through BCC’s Learning Resources Center (LRC).
                Please email bcc-lrc@peralta.edu for more information.

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                Ready to Apply?

                Click the button below to begin your Berkeley City College application and earn your English degree or certificate today!