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English

The JWCC associate degree is designed to increase skills in fiction and nonfiction written composition for a variety of audiences. Film review, pop culture, and literature are integrated into the curriculum. Students are prepared to transfer to a four-year institution to complete a bachelor’s degree in English, with a wide variety of career options including journalism, business, advertising, law, research, and writing.

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Career Opportunities

  • Editor
  • Public Relations Director
  • Communications Director
  • Reporter
  • Correspondent
  • Broadcast News Analyst
  • Technical Writer
  • Fundraising Manager

A few top JWCC transfer schools

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Suggested Pathway for English (AA)
Do not use this degree plan as a substitute for an advisor. Always meet with an advisor to discuss your specific needs for completing the program before signing up for classes each semester.
First Semester Details
ENG 101 Rhetoric and Composition I Details 3
An introductory course in writing at the college level with attention to skills needed at each stage of the writing process. Placement in ENG 101 presupposes competence in English grammar, mechanics, punctuation, and spelling. IAI: C1 900.
Prerequisites: ENG 099 with a grade of "C" or above or appropriate placement score
MAT 109 Elementary Statistics Details 3
A study of the collection and interpretation of statistical data. Specific topics include description of sample data, probability, probability distributions, sampling, estimation, testing hypotheses, correlation, and regression. IAI: M1 902.
Prerequisites: MAT 020 with a grade of "C" or above within two semesters, appropriate placement score, or consent of department
FYE 101 Blazing Your Trail Details 1
Directed to new students, this course provides a supportive transition to the culture of higher education. Course objectives aim at preparing students for the college experience by acquiring effective learning techniques and by becoming aware of available college resources for academic and personal growth. This course also develops students' abilities, which will assist them with the complexities of college life.
Prerequisites: (none)
PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology Details 3
Basic introduction to the major areas of psychology--the study of behavior and the mind. Areas of emphasis include human development, personality theory, learning, thinking, stress and motivation, mental illnesses, and biological and social aspects of behavior. Course will combine research with real life application throughout. IAI: S6 900.
Prerequisites: (none)
Various MUS 102 / ART 115 / DRA 103 Details 3
Choose MUS 102, ART 115, or DRA 103.
MUS 102 Music Appreciation Details 3
A non technical course designed for the non music major, to develop within the listener an appreciation for music. Includes brief historical background of music and the leading composers of various periods. IAI: F1 900.
Prerequisites: (none)
ART 115 Art Appreciation Details 3
Designed to expose/cultivate an awareness of art in our culture with some emphasis on contemporary times. IAI: F2 900
Prerequisites: (none)
DRA 103 Introduction to Theater Details 3
The broad concepts of the aesthetics and form of drama as evidenced in the living theater. Includes reading of plays and the study of dramaturgy with general discussion of elements of the play and theater. IAI: F1 907.
Prerequisites: (none)
ENG 130 Introduction to Film Details 3
This course introduces the basics of film production and analysis in order to help students understand and enjoy film as an art form. Students will be introduced to the formal elements of film production as well as fundamental principles of genre and narrative in order to understand how directors' decisions regarding these elements and principles create meaning.
Prerequisites: (none)
Second Semester Details
ENG 231 American Literature I Details 3
Major American writers, 1620-1865. IAI: H3 914.
Prerequisites: ENG 101 or consent of department
HIS 101 Western Civilization I Details 3
A survey of political, social and economic history of the Western world, including the origins and development of its peoples and cultures beginning with a study of the early Middle Eastern civilizations of Mesopotamia and progressing through the civilizations of Egypt, Greece, Rome, and Europe of the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Reformation. IAI: S2 902.
Prerequisites: (none)
BIO 101 General Biology Details 4
An introductory biology course that covers a breadth of biological concepts including biochemical pathways, molecular and cellular biology, the structure and function of organisms, genetics and heredity, evolution, ecology, and the importance of life science to society. In the laboratory setting, emphasis will be placed on utilizing the scientific process to arrive at evidence-based conclusions. 3 lecture hours, 2 lab hours; IAI: L1 900L.
Prerequisites: MAT 010 with a grade of "C" or above within two semesters, or appropriate placement test score, or consent of department. Consent of JWCC Natural Sciences Department Chair is dependent upon the requesting student successfully passing an assessment (placement) exam for the particular prerequisite course. A passing BIO 101 placement exam score is 78 percent or above to opt out of the BIO 101 requirement. Otherwise, the student requesting acceptance into a course without completion of prerequisites must provide substantiated documentation of equivalent transfer credit to enroll in the course.
ENG 102 Rhetoric and Composition II Details 3
A continuation of ENG 101; provides further practice in writing at the college level for a variety of purposes and audiences, using both fixed and open or developing forms. Research paper required. IAI: C1 901R
Prerequisites: Completion of ENG 101 with a grade of "C" or above
ENG 114 Fiction Details 3
A study of fiction, including short stories and novels. IAI: H3 901.
Prerequisites: ENG 101
Third Semester Details
ENG 232 American Literature II Details 3
Major American writers, 1865 to present. IAI: H3 915.
Prerequisites: ENG 101 or consent of department
ENG 241 English Literature I Details 3
British masters up to the nineteenth century. IAI: H3 912.
Prerequisites: ENG 101 or consent of department
CMN 101 Introduction to Speech I Details 3
An introduction to the basic principles of oral communication as applied to public speaking. The course emphasizes the mastery of oral communication skills through a variety of exercises in which the student speaks before the group. Involves analysis of such topics as preparation, organization, and delivery. IAI: C2 900.
Prerequisites: (none)
SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology Details 3
This course is an introduction to sociology as a way of understanding the world and how it applies to everyday life. Major theoretical perspectives and concepts are presented including socialization, culture, the social construction of knowledge, social control and deviance, inequality, race and ethnic relations, poverty, and the sociological imagination. IAI: S7 900.
Prerequisites: (none)
Various SPN 101 / CHN 101 Details 4
Choose SPN 101 or CHN 101.
SPN 101 Elementary Spanish I Details 4
Fundamentals of grammar and pronunciation, with emphasis on reading, writing, and conversation. Also incorporates geography, customs, and cultures of the Spanish-speaking world. 3 lecture hours, 2 lab hours.
Prerequisites: (none)
CHN 101 Elementary Chinese I Details 4
This course provides an introduction to beginning Mandarin Chinese. The goal of this course is to develop communicative competence in listening, speaking, reading, and writing with emphasis on speaking skills. This course will introduce selected topics on traditional Chinese culture, current trends in China and Taiwan, as well as U.S. Interaction with China. 3 lecture hours, 2 lab hours.
Prerequisites: (none)
Fourth Semester Details
ENG 242 English Literature II Details 3
British masters, nineteenth and twentieth centuries. IAI: H3 913.
Prerequisites: ENG 101 or consent of department
ENG 251 World Literature Details 3
A survey of the literature of Africa, Continental Europe, the Far East, Great Britain, Latin America, Mediterranean, and North America. A variety of literary genres, including poetry, short fiction and drama, will be discussed. IAI: H3 906.
Prerequisites: ENG 101 or consent of department
ENG 220 Introduction to Creative Writing Details 3
A course introducing writers to the exploration and practice of creative writing within a specific genre or across multiple genres. Students will use in-class writing exercises, collaborative writing, workshop critique, technique-specific practices, reading, and group discussion to establish a classroom community of creative writers. As an introductory, skill-building course, no previous creative writing experience is necessary.
Prerequisites: ENG 101 with a grade of "C" or above
Various SCI 100 / SCI 105 Details 4
Choose SCI 100 or SCI 105.
SCI 100 Environmental Geology Details 4
An introductory study of forces that continually shape the surface of the earth, including examination of geological formation processes and our impact on the environment. 3 lecture hours, 2 lab hours. IAI: P1 905L.
Prerequisites: (none)
SCI 105 Weather and Climate Details 4
An elementary survey of the properties of the atmosphere and the principles that govern weather and climate change. Real-time weather data will be used to predict weather and historical data archives to study climate. 3 lecture hours, 2 lab hours
Prerequisites: (none)
Electives (3) Electives Details 3
Any credit-based course may be taken to fulfill this requirement. Students should always discuss with their advisor which electives would be best for them to take to best achieve his or her particular goals.
Prerequisites: Varies by course
NOTE: Only students who do not need additional coursework and who take the number of credits or courses as listed each semester can complete the program in the time given. Others will take longer to complete. Course descriptions may contain IAI (Illinois Articulation Initiative) codes containing information for students transferring their credits to another Illinois higher learning institution. See itransfer.org or the JWCC course catalog for more information on IAI.