Spanish provides a sequential course of study that prepares you for transfer to four-year institutions with a Spanish major or acquisition of Spanish proficiency necessary for career fields that emphasize the value of familiarity with diverse cultures and global issues.

In a recent survey, our students expressed a high level of satisfaction with the English program, citing the expert personal attention from the department's dedicated instructors. We provide a sequence of composition courses designed to develop and strengthen critical thinking and writing skills that students need to succeed in their college work. We also offer a variety of elective courses in literature, creative writing, and journalism that fulfill Humanities distribution requirements and, in some cases, the Cultural Diversity requirement for the AA degree. Many of our courses are available online.

The A.A. in English has been designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year institution and earn a bachelor’s degree in English. This degree is comprised of core Liberal Arts courses and English electives which are intended to provide students with the necessary foundation to be successful in more advanced courses.

The Associate of Arts (DTA) degree with Specialization in World Languages provides the required preparation for successful transfer into a bachelor's degree program in World Languages at the Junior level. The Associate of Arts (DTA) degree is a Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA) degree. The following course set fulfills the requirement of the Specialization in World Languages for the Associate of Arts (DTA) Degree. This specialization enables students to develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in multiple languages, and to analyze, examine and explore oral and written communication using a variety of topics through authentic materials, in all major time frames.

A study of French as an Associate of Arts expands individual consciousness contributes to understanding the history and development of many countries and provides the communication skills necessary for a variety of careers. Languages are the key to the understanding and appreciation of value systems and social attitudes of different cultures. Furthermore, acquiring communication skills in other languages facilitates the exchange of ideas and transactions, and increases awareness, appreciation, and understanding of cultural diversity.

The Associate in Arts (DTA) degree with Specialization in Spanish provides the required preparation for successful transfer into a bachelor's degree program in Spanish at the Junior level. The Associate in Arts degree is an Agreement (DTA) degree. The following course set fulfills the requirement of the Specialization in Spanish for the Associate of Arts (DTA) Degree. This specialization enables students to develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in Spanish, and to analyze, examine and explore oral and written communication using a variety of topics through authentic materials, in all major time frames.

Communication is the study of how humans construct meanings through interactions. Courses in this area may focus on the knowledge and skills needed to communicate effectively in oral, written, or visual forms; on the study of language and culture; and/or on a critical understanding of the structures and patterns of different kinds of communication as they affect individuals and society. Studies in Communication, Media, and Languages are designed for students interested in pursuing further studies in English, Journalism, Mass Communication, Media Studies, Communication Studies, and World Languages at four-year institutions. It may be useful for students interested in pursuing careers in communications, graphic design, journalism, law, marketing, public relations, radio and television, translating, and writing, among others.

Associate in Arts Degree The Berkeley City College AA 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.

The Associate in Arts in Spanish for Transfer (AA-T in Spanish) is designed to provide a clear pathway to a CSU institution for students who plan to transfer and complete a CSU major or baccalaureate degree in Spanish. The Spanish department offers courses that serve as a basis for broad liberal education, advanced degrees, and further study in languages, linguistics, and English Literature as preparation for a teaching credential. It is also supplementary preparation for many professional fields, including emergency services, the legal and medical professions, social work, Business, Hospitality Management, information technology, foreign service, public relations, journalism, translation, and interpretation.

The Associate in Arts in English for Transfer (AA-T in English) is designed to provide a clear pathway to a CSU institution for students who plan to transfer and complete a CSU major or baccalaureate degree in English. The Associate in Arts in English for Transfer (AA-T in English) provides students with a strong foundation in critical reading, writing, and thinking as well as literary analysis and research methods. Students majoring in English enroll in survey courses, which expose them to a wide range of types and styles of literature; courses in literature from many cultures and eras; and courses in special topics such as film and creative writing.

The Associate in Arts in Liberal Arts with an emphasis on Communication in the English Language and Critical Thinking provides students the opportunity to develop knowledge and understanding of the form, content, context, and effectiveness of communication. Students will develop proficiency in oral and written communication in English, examining communication from the rhetorical perspective and practicing reasoning and advocacy, organization, and accuracy. Students will practice the discovery, critical evaluation, and reporting of information, as well as reading, writing, and listening effectively.

The objective of the English Department is to provide each student with the opportunity to develop his or her own reading, writing, research and critical thinking abilities for successful transfer to universities and for functioning in society and the job market. The Associate in Arts for Transfer degree in English provides students with the foundational knowledge necessary to make a successful transition into a Baccalaureate Degree at any of the CSU campuses. The Associate Degree for Transfer (AA-T or AS-T) is a special degree offered at California Community Colleges. Students who earn an AA-T or AS-T degree are guaranteed admission to a campus within the California State University (CSU) system in a similar major, although not necessarily to a specific campus. Students who complete an AA-T or AS-T are given priority consideration when applying to a particular program that is similar to the student’s community college major and will be given a special GPA advantage when applying to CSU impacted campuses or majors. Students who are planning to pursue an AA-T or AS-T are strongly advised to meet with a counselor for additional information about this transfer program.

The Associate in Arts for Transfer degree in Spanish provides students with the foundational knowledge necessary to make a successful transition into a Baccalaureate Degree at any of the CSU campuses. The Associate Degree for Transfer (AA-T or AS-T) is a special degree offered at California Community Colleges. Students who earn an AA-T or AS-T degree are guaranteed admission to a campus within the California State University (CSU) system in a similar major, although not necessarily to a specific campus. Students who complete an AA-T or AS-T are given priority consideration when applying to a particular program that is similar to the student’s community college major and will be given a special GPA advantage when applying to CSU-impacted campuses or majors. Students who are planning to pursue an AA-T or AS-T are strongly advised to meet with a counselor for additional information about this transfer program.

Spanish, as an integral part of the humanities, prepares students for transfer to a university by teaching them new modes of expression and cultural attitudes. It also perfects their knowledge and understanding of the structure of English. A foreign language is a basic element of general education because it provides an opening to understanding and participating in the cultures of the world.

In today's information society, reading comprehension and writing skills are essential for everyone. The English program offers a rich and varied education in these vital areas of literacy - serving the individual student, the academic community and the society at large. In order to develop an understanding of our cultural tradition and to stimulate students' imaginations, the department offers literature courses ranging from surveys of British, American and world literature to introductory courses in poetry, Shakespeare and contemporary fiction to special topics on a particular author or theme.