The
English Department has made changes both to the requirements for the major
and the names and numbers of our offered courses. Details about the new requirements
and courses may be found in the University of Iowa General Catalogue and on
our department’s undergraduate homepage.
What set of requirements am I to follow?
Students who entered the College in summer 2004 or later, or who declared the major on or after the first day of fall semester 2004, must complete the new program. Students who declared the major before the first day of fall semester 2004 may choose to complete the old requirements, but they must complete all requirements and graduate by August 2008.
If I declared the major before the first day of fall semester 2004, do I need to make a formal decision about which set of requirements to follow?
Students who declared the major before the first day of fall semester 2004 are automatically considered as working under the old requirements. If you wish to work under the new requirements, you simply need to let a member of the English advising staff know. Should you later change your mind, you will be allowed to return to the old major.
I am working under the old requirements, but the names and numbers of many courses have changed, and they are no longer listed under the old categories. Which of the new courses fulfill the old requirements?
New classes which fulfill the old requirements are as follows:
I am an old major electing to follow the new requirements. How will my old courses be applied to the new categories?
Old classes which fulfill the new requirements are as follows:
I am a new major and am unsure about what sequence of courses I should take to fulfill the requirements? Are there any introductory courses?
Although there is no set sequence of courses that majors need to take, students who declared the English major on or after the first day of fall semester 2007 must complete 008:005 Introduction to the English Major: The Theory and Practice of Literary Study and are encouraged to enroll in the course as soon as they declare the major. All courses offered by the department fulfill requirements, except those courses listed as “General Education” and “Special Topics.” As a new major, you should really choose courses based on your own interests and inclinations. However, we recommend that you complete one or more departmental courses below the 100 level before attempting 100-level courses. And, while we have no single introductory course, 8:31-39 present a range of literary genres and topics at the introductory level.
Prospective majors and current English majors often ask about the following questions. If your questions are not answered here, you are welcome to make an appointment with an English advisor (335-0455), who will be happy to provide assistance.
Will I be awarded credit by examination toward the English major?
Students can receive credit by examination by achieving appropriate scores on the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) exam or the Advanced Placement (APP) exam. Most students who perform well on these examinations will receive credit toward the General Education requirements rather than credit in courses that count toward the major. However, students with exceptionally high scores may be awarded up to 6 hours of credit toward either the General Education humanities requirement or the English major, at the discretion of the Undergraduate Director of English.
For more information, contact the Academic Programs Office located in 120 Schaeffer Hall. To schedule an appointment with one of the College advisors, call 335-2633.
How many hours may I transfer from another college or university toward the major?
Students may apply up to 15 hours of transfer credit toward the 33 hours required for the English major. In order for transfer hours accepted by the University of Iowa to be counted toward the major, the student should meet with the Undergraduate Director to fill out a Transfer Credit form. The Director will also determine which courses fulfill specific requirements. Students who are transferring from two-year institutions will generally find that their course work will satisfy General Education requirements of the Liberal Arts College rather than English major requirements. For an appointment to discuss transfer credit, please call 335-0455.
How will I know who my advisor is?
Until students complete 24 hours of course work (usually in General Education courses), English majors (and other Liberal Arts students) are advised at the Academic Advising Center. Undergraduate coordinator Sharry Lenhart (5-0455) will assign each student an advisor.
Since English majors do not take 08G:1 Interpretation of Literature, what kind of course should I take in place of this requirement?
Any course falling within the General Education area of Humanities will fulfill the requirement for The Interpretation of Literature, since English majors do not take 08G:001.
How do I qualify for English Honors?
Intimate, engaged seminars that feature faculty members' cutting-edge research projects are the heart and soul of the English Department's Honors Program. Admission to English Honors courses requires a 3.2 overall grade point average (a College requirement) and a 3.5 grade point average in English courses. Majors who meet these criteria will receive a letter inviting them to join the Honors program. For a detailed description of the program, please consult the Honors web pages or contact the Director of Honors, Professor Mary Ann Rasmussen at 335-6202. Her office is 305B EPB.
What kinds of writing courses are available for undergraduates at Iowa?
Students in English who wish to develop a track in writing courses have two excellent programs from which to choose courses that count toward the major.
The Iowa Writers' Workshop is a master's degree program, open only to graduate students who have been admitted to the Workshop. However, the Workshop offers several courses to undergraduates, and the English Department accepts up to 9 hours of elective credit hours in creative writing toward the 33 hours required for the English Major. To receive credit toward the English major, students may choose from 08C:023 Creative Writing, 08C:097 Fiction Writing, 08C:098 Poetry Writing, and two undergraduate workshops, 08C:163 Undergraduate Writers' Workshop: Fiction and 08C:166 Undergraduate Writers' Workshop: Poetry. Please note that 08C:001 Creative Writing Studio Workshop is a General Education course and does NOT count toward the English major.
Students who wish to take either of the advanced workshop courses (08C:163 and 166) must submit a portfolio of work to the main office of the Writers' Workshop in Dey House on the first day of the semester in which they hope to enter this course. For details, contact Ms. Connie Brothers at 107 Dey House (335-0419). Students may count up to 9 hours in creative writing courses toward the English major.
In addition, The English Department has its own master's degree in writing, offered by the Nonfiction Writing Program. This program also offers undergraduate coursesÑworkshops in writing as well as courses that investigate forms of the essay. Like the courses offered by the Writers' Workshop, these courses are indicated in the catalogue by a N following the department prefix in course numbers (as in 08N). They include
Practice in Writing
08N:015 Writing for Practical Purposes
08N:050 Word Power: Building English Vocabulary (Same as 20E:050)
08N:080 Nonfiction Writing
08N:102 Prose Style
08N:104 Personal Writing
08N:113 Writing for Business and Industry
08N:119 Writing for Interdisciplinary Audiences (Same as 024:119, 153:119,
154:119.)
08N:120 Advanced Nonfiction Writing
08N:125 Freelance Reporting and Writing
08N:130 Forms of Nonfiction
08N:133 Advanced Writing for Business
08N:135 Forms of the Essay
08N:145 Multimedia Writing
08N:150 Undergraduate Essay Workshop
08N:155 Undergraduate Nonfiction Workshop
08N:196 Nonfiction Writing Internship
08N:250 Forms of Nonfiction
08N:255 Forms of the Essay
08N:350 Essay Writing Workshop
08N:355 Nonfiction Writing Workshop
Theory and Practice of Writing
08N:141 Approaches to Teaching Writing (Same
as 07S:115)
08N:237 Style and Voice
08N:262 Readings in Nonfiction
08N:345 Research on Writing (Same as 010:345.)
08N:375 Teaching in a Writing Center (Same as 010:375)
Independent Study
08N:199 Undergraduate Project in Nonfiction Writing
08N:550 Special Project in Nonfiction Writing
08N:580 Thesis in Nonfiction Writing
There is no limit on the number of nonfiction writing courses students can count toward the English major.
How do I sign up for an independent study?
08:199 Special Project for Undergraduates is designed for a very specific purpose. This course allows a student to pursue specialized study in areas that are not already covered by courses offered in the department. A student who wishes to arrange an independent must first locate a faculty member who is willing to supervise the project. Next, the student should pick up a Record of Independent Study form from 308C. Together, the student and faculty member will draw up a list of readings and assignments, along with a rationale and plan of study. The student should then write a convincing description of the purpose and plan for the independent study, along with a list of materials to be covered.
After having the faculty member sign the Record of Independent Study form to indicate her or his approval of this description and list, the student should make an appointment with the Director of Undergraduate English (335-0455). The Director will review the proposal and either ask for revisions or grant approval. To indicate approval of the course plan, the Director will sign the forms. One copy will go into the student's file, and both the faculty supervisor and the student will also receive a copy.
How do I include an internship in my plan of study?
Increasingly, English majors are exploring possible future careers by undertaking internships in which they can use their skills of analysis, organization, invention, communication, and expression. Students may register their internship for 0 credit hours and transcript notation through Pomerantz Career Center in C310 Pomerantz Center (319-335-1023). Please visit: http://www.careers.uiowa.edu/students/register_internship.html for requirements and instructions. Or, students may sign up for independent study credit toward the English major under the direction of the Undergraduate Director of English or under the direction of a faculty member in the English Department. Just schedule an appointment with the Director by calling 335-0455.
Can I count correspondence courses toward the English major?
While Correspondence Courses serve an important purpose, the English Department is committed to creating an environment in which students thoughtfully interact with their instructors and fellow students. We consider engagement in the classroom a crucial part of this educational experience. Therefore, the department does not award credit for Correspondence courses except in very rare, special circumstances and then only with the Undergraduate Director's prior approval. Students may take elective courses outside the English major which will count toward the 120 hours required for graduation but not toward the English major.
Please note that the College of Liberal Arts only allows students to apply 50 hours of work in any major toward a degree. If you violate the 50-hour rule, for example by taking 51 hours of English credit, you will be required to take 1 additional hour (or a total of 121 rather than 120 hours) to graduate.
How do I sign up for the "second grade option"?
If you are dissatisfied with the grade you received in a class at the University of Iowa, one option is to retake the course at the University of Iowa under the Second Grade Option. Under this option, you will receive only the grade and the credit for your second attempt at the course. Also, only this second grade and credit will be factored into your grade point average. Both grades remain on your permanent record, but only the second grade counts toward your requirements or g.p.a.
If you wish to pursue this option, register for the course as usual. Then you must file for the Second Grade Option in the Office of Academic Programs in 120 Schaeffer Hall after the first week of classes. Unless and until you have filed, both grades continue to be counted toward your grade point averages.
For more details about meeting the rules for the Second Grade Option, consult the Liberal Arts General Catalogue entry under Grading in the College of Liberal Arts.
How do I get started if I want to study abroad?
The English Department and the Theatre Department jointly offer an intensive three-week course in London each spring 08:128 London Performance Study. In addition, students in our program have many opportunities to study overseas through the University of Iowa's international programs. Students may also transfer pre-approved credit from compatible overseas universities which offer courses appropriate for the English major at the University of Iowa. For further details, visit the Study Abroad Website.
How do I register for classes during the semester I am studying abroad in another country?
Students often need to register for courses for the upcoming semester while they are away. We recommend that you ask a friend to mail you the Schedule of Courses as soon as it is distributed. English courses are also listed in these web pages and all undergraduate courses apear in the on-line catalogue of courses posted by Registration at http://www.uiowa.edu/registrar.
Before you travel, leave a letter with the undergraduate coordinator, Sharlene Lenhart (308E EPB), authorizing a friend or family member to pick up your registration number during the advising period. You can also e-mail Ms. Lenhart for your registration code at sharry-lenhart@uiowa.edu. Many students now find that they can access ISIS from overseas and, using the registration code, register as usual. (The Study Abroad Office staff offers instructions and advice.) If necessary, however, once your authorized friend or relative has picked up your registration time and code, he or she can access ISIS and register for you if you provide your university ID number.
Where do I apply for scholarships and financial aid?
The English Department does not have the resources to offer scholarships to undergraduates. Undergraduate scholarships are administered through the College of Liberal Arts. For more information, contact the COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS in 120 Schaeffer Hall or call 335-2633.
Students seeking aid should contact the STUDENT FINANCIAL AID OFFICE in 208 Calvin Hall or call 335-1450.
The English Department does, however, confer a number of awards upon English majors to acknowledge their outstanding work. For more information, see ENGLISH DEPARTMENT AWARDS below.
What kind of awards does the English Department offer?
Although the College of Liberal Arts rather than the English Department awards scholarships to in-coming students, the English Department recognizes the impressive accomplishments of English majors each spring by offering a number of departmental awards. The recipients are selected by a committee of English faculty members, chaired by the Honors Director. The awards are based on the applicant's eligibility, given the particular requirements of each award, on academic performance, and on statements provided by applicants along with the application forms. One application will serve for consideration of all relevant awards. The awards are presented each spring at a ceremony followed by a reception.
Nominations and applications should be directed to Professor Mary Ann Rasmussen, the Director of English Honors. The specific requirements for each award are detailed in the Honors web pages. For more information, please access the following link to Honors.
What can I do with an English major?
The English major is designed to provide students with a broad Liberal Arts education. Students are encouraged to explore texts from diverse historical periods and cultural contexts, to become careful, thoughtful, incisive thinkers, and to communicate aloud, on paper, and in cutting-edge electronic media in an inventive, open-minded, articulate fashion. After completing the English degree, students follow many different paths. While many graduates receive the English Secondary Education degree in order to teach high school, others seek careers in business and industry. Many English majors continue their education by pursuing advanced degrees in law, business, advertising, marketing, graduate study in English and related fields, or software and web page development. Students who plan to apply to graduate school will find the ADVICE FOR ENGLISH MAJORS CONSIDERING GRADUATE SCHOOL pages helpful.
Students who wish to learn about the many, often overlooked job opportunities for English majors, have excellent resources on campus. CAREER DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, 24 Phillips Hall (335-1023). provides an excellent library of books and on-line material to introduce students to careers for liberal arts majors. The CENTER also offers tests and workshops to help students identity their strengths and the kind of work environment they would find most satisfying. In addition, the CENTER staff can help students to locate internships so that they can begin to build a portfolio of job expertise. CAREER DEVELOPMENT SERVICES frequently offers workshops on behalf of the undergraduate program in English. Check the UNDERGRADUATE CALENDAR each semester for dates and times.
Should I go to graduate school?
Advice for English Majors Considering Graduate School
How do I apply to graduate programs?
Applying to Graduate School in English : A Guide Down the Paper Trail
How do I prepare for the job market?
As you approach graduation, you will need to prepare letters of application and a Curriculum Vitaee. Two additional offices on campus, the BUSINESS AND LIBERAL ARTS PLACEMENT OFFICE (24 Phillips Hall, 335-1023) and the EDUCATIONAL PLACEMENT OFFICE ((North Lindquist Center N302, 335-5353) provide many useful services. These offices hold workshops to help you prepare your application materials and to teach you useful interview skills. For more information, visit the appropriate Placement Center.