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Department of English

Courses & Registration

The English department offers a variety of undergraduate courses for students with interests in English and American literature and culture and creative writing. Course offerings include General Education courses, literature seminars, creative writing workshops, and unique opportunities, such as Maymesters.

Course Descriptions

Explore our upcoming course offerings. This brochure includes detailed descriptions, including expected readings, assignments, and more.

 

Fall 2025 Course Descriptions (PDF)

Fall 2025 Course Descriptions

Spring 2025 Course Descriptions (PDF)

Spring 2025 Course Descriptions

Previous Semesters

Registration

Most undergraduate classes in ENGL do not require department clearance (“d-clearance”) to register during the normal registration period. Any current USC undergraduate student may register for classes that are open registration.

D-Clearance

D-clearance is generally required to:

  • Add classes that are restricted to majors or minors.
  • Add special classes that require an application (such as Maymesters and advanced creative writing workshops).
  • Add classes after the start of the semester.

  • English and Narrative Studies majors and minors are given priority for d-clearance during advisement and registration:

    • Majors: Request d-clearance during your advisement appointment. If you need to request d-clearance for another class after your advisement appointment, use the d-clearance request form.
    • Minors: Request d-clearance using the d-clearance request form.
    • Non-Majors/Non-Minors: If you are not majoring or minoring in the English department, you can register for any open registration class or request d-clearance for certain classes. We will begin to process requests for non-majors/non-minors starting April 21, 2025.

     

    D-Clearance Request Form

    You can request d-clearance using this form starting the Monday after Faculty Advising Week each semester. The deadline to submit requests is the end of the first week of classes. After this, you will need to contact the instructor for permission.

    Requests are processed in the order received, typically within two business days.

    All d-clearances expire at the start of the semester.

     

    D-Clearance Request Form

  • After the first week of classes, all ENGL classes require d-clearance. D-clearance is only granted with the instructor’s permission.

    To get d-clearance:

    1. Contact the instructor of the class you want to register for.
    2. If the instructor approves you to add the class, forward their approval to english@dornsife.usc.edu and include your USC ID number and the five-digit class section number.
    3. Once d-clearance is granted, you’ll need to register as soon as possible.
    4. If there is no longer space in the classroom, we may not be able to add any new students.

  • An application is required to register for certain classes, including:

    • ENGL-352g “Bookpacking” (sections traveling outside Los Angeles)
    • ENGL-407 “Advanced Fiction Writing”
    • ENGL-408 “Advanced Poetry Writing”
    • ENGL-490 “Directed Research”
    • ENGL-496 “Senior Honors Thesis”

    For applications, see Undergraduate Forms or contact the English department at english@dornsife.usc.edu.