CURRICULUM OF THE MAJOR AND SEQUENCE OF COURSES

The Bachelor of Arts in English and Creative Writing requires a minimum of 120 s.h., including at least 42 s.h. of work for the major. Of the 42 s.h., at least 36 s.h. must be selected from the Department of English courses (prefix ENGL, CNW, CW). Students must maintain a GPA of at least 2.00 in all courses for the major and in all UI courses for the major. Transfer students must earn at least 30 s.h. work for the major at the University of Iowa, with at least 15 s.h. of course work in English literary study and 15 s.h. of course work in creative writing taken in residence at the University of Iowa. Students are encouraged to explore multiple genres, including fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and playwriting.

Students earning the major in English may not earn the major in English and Creative Writing and students completing the English and Creative Writing major may not earn a second major in English. Please note that "creative writing" encompasses ENGL 37** and 47** (creative writing courses in fiction, non-fiction, playwriting, translation, poetry, and special topics), CW courses (fiction and poetry), CNW (creative non-fiction), and some THTR (playwriting) and CINE (screenwriting). Search accordingly when looking for coursework.

INTRODUCTORY COURSES

Both of the following courses below are required and must be successfully completed before registering for advanced courses:
ENGL:2010 Foundations of the English Major    
ENGL:2020 Foundations of Creative Writing         

ENGLISH LITERATURE CORE

The core in English literary study helps students to learn and practice critical reading and analysis and to understand the relation of literature to history and culture, introducing students to the context and tradition of literature written in English.

AREA REQUIREMENT

A minimum of 3 s.h. must be completed from each of the following five areas of English literary study, for a minimum of a total of 15 s.h. of courses selected from the list below.

• 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

HISTORICAL PERIOD REQUIREMENT

The area and historical periods for English courses are identified in the course description on MyUI, in the MAUI course library, and in the General Catalog. Since most courses satisfy both an area requirement and a historical period requirement, most students complete these requirements with the same courses. A minimum of 3 s.h. must be completed from each of the following three historical periods in English literary study:

• Early Literatures through the 17th Century
• 18th/19th Century Literature
• 20th/21st Century Literature

MULTIETHNIC LITERATURE AND CULTURE REQUIREMENT

Students must complete one class (a minimum of 3 s.h.) in multiethnic literature and culture. This course may also contribute to satisfying area and period requirements. A list of approved courses follows.        

The following courses will sometimes be designated as fulfilling the Multiethnic American Literature and Culture requirement depending on course content, which varies by semester. Consult MyUI for semester-specific information.   

CREATIVE WRITING CORE

The creative writing core ensures students have experience in a range of literary genres and substantial engagement with advanced courses. A minimum of 18 s.h. is required in creative writing courses in addition to the 3 s.h. ENGL:2020 Foundations of Creative Writing.

CREATIVE WRITING ELECTIVES

9 s.h. of creative writing electives gives students flexible choices, encouraging them to experiment across genres, including fiction, poetry, and nonfiction, and to focus on the particulars of craft, tradition, and innovation associated with each. Many of the courses on this list are repeatable for credit, allowing students to concentrate on a small number of genres if they so choose. Some of these courses have prerequisites.  

ADVANCED REQUIREMENTS

A minimum of 9 s.h. in advanced creative writing courses is required from the following options, all of which are reserved for staffing by tenured and tenure-track faculty, and distinguished visitors. These courses are repeatable.  Registration requires successful completion of the two introductory courses, ENGL:2010 Foundations of the English Major, and ENGL:2020 Foundations of Creative Writing.