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Undergraduate English Major Requirements

The major in English requires a minimum of 33 s.h. of course work (11 courses). Course work is divided into six areas and three historical periods. The area and historical period that each regularly offered course fulfills is identified in the course description on the University’s ISIS web site. Information and course lists are also available on the department’s web site and from advisers.

All 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.

At least one course from each of the following six areas is required:

• Literary theory and interdisciplinary studies
• Medieval and early modern literature and culture
• Modern British literature and culture
• American literature and culture
• Transnational literature and postcolonial studies
• Nonfiction and creative writing

Each student chooses one of the six areas as a concentration area and takes an additional two courses in that area, for a total of three courses (9 or more s.h.) in one area.

Students also must take at least two courses from each of the following three historical periods:

• Early literatures through the 17th century
• Eighteenth- and/or 19th-century literature
• Twentieth- and/or 21st –century literature

Since most courses satisfy both an area and a historical period, most students complete the historical period requirements as they complete the area requirements and are able to choose additional elective course work to complete the major. Of the 33 s.h. required for the major, 15 s.h. may be transferred from another institution. At least 18 s.h. in the major must be taken in residence at The University of Iowa.