Document Actions
Majoring in English
The Department of English at Iowa State University offers an English major with concentrations in literature; rhetoric and professional communication; and English education.
The Department of English at Iowa State University offers an English major with concentrations in literature; rhetoric and professional communication; and English education. The Undergraduate Program of Study is designed so that majors can experience the broad, diverse scope of English studies at the same time that they focus in one of the three options within the major.
General Requirements
A few General Requirements govern the English Program of Study. In addition, the Distributed Requirements, which apply to all majors, introduce students to the range of concerns in English and allow students to understand better the interrelationships of various aspects of the discipline. These requirements include four courses which introduce the discipline and its components (199, 219, 260, 310); two courses which provide theoretical frameworks and advanced writing; and three courses in which students explore the range of creative literature. To ensure the diversity of their experience in studying literature, majors are also asked to include work in various historical periods. All students cap their work in English studies with at least nine hours of advanced study at the 400 level.
Distributed Requirements
The Distributed Requirements, which apply to all majors, introduce students to the range of concerns in English and allow students to understand better the interrelationships of various aspects of the discipline. These requirements include:
- four courses which introduce the discipline and its components (199, 219, 260, 310);
- two courses which provide theoretical frameworks and advanced writing; and
- three courses in which students explore the range of creative literature.
To ensure the diversity of their experience in studying literature, majors are also asked to include work in various historical periods.
All students cap their work in English studies with at least nine hours of advanced study at the 400 level.
Options of Study
Each of the three options for study beyond the Distributed Requirements allows students to pursue individual interests.
| Literary Studies | Rhetorical Studies | English Education |
|---|---|---|
Students in all three options are strongly advised to choose a minor or second major to complement their study of English. English education students are encouraged to seek a teaching minor, not to be confused with a university minor. The teaching minor is an endorsement to teach in an additional subject area; only certain areas are available and the requirements are prescribed by the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners Licensure and the Iowa Department of Education.
For additional information, visit the Undergraduate Advising page.
Creative Writing
Undergraduates wishing to study creative writing should take the Literature Emphasis option of the English undergraduate degree. This option is designed to give students a broad knowledge of creative writing, literature, and related issues. The English Department also offers an undergraduate minor that could be focused on creative writing.
