Search

English

Chair

  • Claire Sponsler

Professors

  • Florence Boos, Ethan Canin, Lan Samantha Chang, Huston Diehl, Barbara Eckstein, Mary Lou Emery, Ed Folsom (Roy J. Carver Professor), Patricia Foster, James Galvin, Miriam Gilbert, David Hamilton, Robin Hemley, Cheryl T. Herr (English/Cinema and Comparative Literature), Kevin Kopelson, Rudolf E. Kuenzli (English/Cinema and Comparative Literature), Stephen Kuusisto, Brooks Landon, Susan Lohafer, James Alan McPherson (F. Wendell Miller Professor), Christopher Merrill (English/Cinema and Comparative Literature), Adalaide Morris (John C. Gerber Professor of English), Peter Nazareth, Judith Pascoe, Horace Porter (F. Wendell Miller Professor of English and American Studies), John Raeburn (American Studies/English), Marilynne Robinson (Skorton-Miller Professor), Phillip Round, Claire Sponsler, Garrett Stewart (James O. Freedman Chair in Letters), Bonnie Sunstein (Teaching and Learning/English), Cole Swensen, Jonathan Wilcox

Professors emeriti

  • Sven M. Armens, Marvin Bell, Clark Blaise, David S. Chamberlain, Archibald C. Coolidge, Carol de Saint Victor, Stavros Deligiorgis, Hualing Nieh Engle, John E. Grant, Ray L. Heffner, John F. Huntley, Robert E. Kelley, Carl H. Klaus, William Kupersmith, John Leggett, Richard Lloyd-Jones, John C. McLaughlin, K.K. Merker, William Murray, Alan F. Nagel, William J. Paff, Robert F. Sayre, Oliver Steele, Gerald Stern, Albert E. Stone, Daniel Weissbort

Associate professors

  • Bluford Adams (English/American Studies), Linda Bolton, Lori Branch, Matthew Brown (English/Center for the Book), Corey Creekmur (English/Cinema and Comparative Literature), John D'Agata, Kathleen Diffley, Claire Fox, Eric Gidal, Loren Glass, Priya Kumar, Kathryn Lavezzo, Mark Levine, Teresa Mangum, Jeff Porter, Laura Rigal (English/American Studies), Robyn Schiff, Thomas Simmons, Alvin Snider, Harilaos Stecopoulos, Doris S. Witt, David Wittenberg

Associate professors emeriti

  • Paul Diehl, Robert F. Woerner, Fredrick Woodard

Assistant professors

  • Blaine Greteman, Naomi Greyser (Rhetoric/English), Lena Hill (English/African American Studies), Michael Hill (English/African American Studies), Adam Hooks, Marie Kruger, Miriam Thaggert (English/African American Studies), Lara Trubowitz

Assistant professor emeritus

  • John B. Harper

Lecturers

  • David Dowling, Mary Ann Rasmussen, Anne Stapleton
Undergraduate degree: B.A. in English
Undergraduate nondegree program: Minor in English
Graduate degrees: M.A., M.F.A., Ph.D. in English
Web site: http://english.uiowa.edu/

The Department of English offers courses in literature, cultural studies, language, and writing. In these courses, students read poetry, fiction, essays, criticism, and theory to acquire methods for understanding literature and culture. In addition to providing these essential elements of a liberal arts and sciences education, the department's courses can augment students' specialized interests in other fields. The department also participates in the interdisciplinary Departments of American Studies, Cinema and Comparative Literature, and Women's Studies, the African American Studies Program, the American Indian and Native Studies Program, the Center for the Book, and the Project on Rhetorics of Inquiry (POROI).

The department has a historic commitment to teaching creative and nonfiction writing. Its graduate programs in writing have earned long-standing renown, and in fall 2008, it added a new creative writing track to the English undergraduate major. Admission to the track is selective.

Although most students in the Ph.D. program are preparing for careers as teachers and scholars, and many in the M.F.A. nonfiction writing program and the Iowa Writers' Workshop are preparing for lives as storytellers, essayists, and poets, the B.A. and M.A. programs provide valuable training for careers in a variety of fields. Students who have earned English degrees from The University of Iowa write for advertising firms, newspapers, and book publishers; teach in primary and secondary schools; practice law and medicine; work in business and industry; and participate in state or federal government. As far as possible, a student's course of study is arranged to meet his or her individual needs and objectives.

Undergraduate Programs

The Department of English offers a Bachelor of Arts and a minor in English.

The department offers courses in literature, film, critical theory, cultural studies, language, and writing. In these courses, students study poetry, fiction, essays, criticism, film, and theory to acquire methods for understanding the history and significance of texts in the cultures from which they emerge.

The program also challenges students to strive for excellence as writers. It offers several classes in creative writing as well as in nonfiction writing; see "Writing for Undergraduates" later in this Catalog section. It also offers a creative writing track in the undergraduate major (admission to the track is selective); see "Bachelor of Arts" below.

Students who plan to apply to the College of Education for a degree in secondary education (English) should consult with an advisor in that program as early as possible. The education degree demands that students choose particular courses in the English major in order to meet state requirements. See "B.A. with Teacher Licensure" later in this section.

Students interested in an English major should consult advisors in the English undergraduate advising office. Visit the Department of English web site for details about the program, faculty, courses, and upcoming events.

Bachelor of Arts

The Bachelor of Arts in English requires a minimum of 120 s.h., including at least 33 s.h. (11 courses) of work for the major. Students may apply to enter the creative writing track in the English major; admission is selective (see "Creative Writing Track" below).

Students must earn at least 18 s.h. of credit for the major at The University of Iowa. Transfer students may count a maximum of 15 s.h. of approved transfer credit toward the major. Students also must complete the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences General Education Program.

The following English courses may not be counted toward the 33 s.h. required for the English major: all 08G and 08A courses, 08C:001 Creative Writing Studio Workshop, and 08N:020 Introduction to Creative Nonfiction.

All English majors must complete 008:005 Introduction to the English Major: Theory and Practice; students are encouraged to enroll in the course as soon as they declare the English major.

Other course work for the major is divided into six areas and three historical periods. Students must complete a total of eight area courses (see "Areas" below) and six historical period courses (see "Historical Periods" below). Since most courses satisfy both an area and a historical period requirement, 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.

The following course lists are organized by area and historical period. The course description for each course states that course's area and historical period designation (see "Courses" in this Catalog section or visit the University's ISIS web site). Information and course lists are also available on the Department of English web site and from advisors.

Undergraduate courses listed under the headings "Special Topics," "Linguistics and Language," and "Translation Studies" (see "Courses" in this Catalog section) do not fulfill area or period requirements for the English major, but they may be used to earn credit for the major.

Areas

Students must complete at least one course (3 s.h.) from each of the following six areas. Each student also must choose one of the six areas as a concentration area and take an additional two courses in that area, for a total of three courses (9 s.h.) in one area, and eight area courses in all.

Literary Theory and Interdisciplinary Studies
008:001 Modern Fiction 3 s.h.
008:002 Postmodern Fiction 3 s.h.
008:011 Films and Screenplays 3 s.h.
008:030 Introduction to Cultural Studies 3 s.h.
008:032 Introduction to the English Language 3 s.h.
008:033 Introduction to Criticism and Theory 3 s.h.
008:034 Introduction to the Novel 3 s.h.
008:035 Introduction to Poetry 3 s.h.
008:036 Introduction to the Short Story 3 s.h.
008:037 Introduction to Drama 3 s.h.
008:038 Introduction to the Essay 3 s.h.
008:052 Literature, Culture, and Women 2-3 s.h.
008:053 Lyric Structures 3 s.h.
008:081 Film and Literature 3 s.h.
008:128 London Performance Study 3 s.h.
008:129 Topics in Criticism and Theory 3 s.h.
008:130 Literature and the Book 3 s.h.
008:134 Introduction to Book Studies 3 s.h.
008:136 Topics in Popular Culture 3 s.h.
008:160 African American Literary/Rhetorical Criticism I 3 s.h.
008:166 African American Literary/Rhetorical Criticism II 3 s.h.
008:168 Topics in Poetry and Poetics 3 s.h.
008:169 Changing Concepts of Women in Literature 3 s.h.
008:170 Literary Genres and Modes 3 s.h.
008:171 Digital Media and Poetics 3 s.h.
008:172 Narrative and the Cinema 3 s.h.
008:173 Topics in Digital Media 3 s.h.
008:174 Topics in Law and Culture 3 s.h.
008:175 Topics in Film and Literature 3 s.h.
008:176 Literature and Philosophic Thought 3 s.h.
008:177 Literature and Art 3 s.h.
008:179 Literature and Society 3 s.h.
008:182 Science Fiction 3 s.h.
008:187 Handprinted Book: Design and Production 3 s.h.
008:188 Prose by Women Writers 3 s.h.
008:189 Digital Cultures and Literacies 3 s.h.
008:190 Topics in Book History 3 s.h.
008:192 Seminar in Interdisciplinary Studies 3-4 s.h.
008:194 Introduction to Feminist Criticism 3 s.h.
08P:182 Language and Learning 2-3 s.h.
08P:198 Reading and Teaching Adolescent Literature 3 s.h.
 Medieval and Early Modern Literature and Culture
008:008 Classical and Biblical Literature 3 s.h.
008:060 Selected Works of the Middle Ages 3 s.h.
008:061 Selected Works of the 16th and 17th Centuries 3 s.h.
008:076 Selected Early Authors 3 s.h.
008:100 Literature and Culture of Seventeenth-Century England 3 s.h.
008:101 Literature and Culture of the Middle Ages 3 s.h.
008:102 Literature and the Culture of the Renaissance 3 s.h.
008:111 Literature and Culture of the Restoration 3 s.h.
008:122 16th- and 17th-Century Poetry 3 s.h.
008:140 Elementary Old English 3 s.h.
008:141 Old English Beowulf 3 s.h.
008:142 Medieval Celtic Literature 3 s.h.
008:143 Medieval Norse Literature 3 s.h.
008:144 Medieval Drama 3 s.h.
008:145 English Renaissance Drama 3 s.h.
008:146 Chaucer 3 s.h.
008:147 Shakespeare 3 s.h.
008:148 Milton 3 s.h.
008:149 Spenser 3 s.h.
008:150 Topics in Medieval and Renaissance Literature 3 s.h.
 Modern British Literature and Culture
008:062 Eighteenth-Century British Literature 3 s.h.
008:063 British Romanticism 3 s.h.
008:064 Victorian Literature 3 s.h.
008:065 Twentieth-Century British Literature 3 s.h.
008:066 Twenty-first-Century British Literature 3 s.h.
008:078 Selected British Authors Before 1900 3 s.h.
008:079 Selected British Authors After 1900 3 s.h.
008:090 Topics in Modern British Literature Before 1900 3 s.h.
008:091 Topics in Modern British Literature After 1900 3 s.h.
008:103 Literature and Culture of Eighteenth-Century Britain 3 s.h.
008:104 Literature and Culture of Nineteenth-Century Britain 3 s.h.
008:107 Literature and Culture of Nineteenth-Century Scotland 3 s.h.
008:110 Literature and Culture of 20th- and 21st-Century Britain 3 s.h.
008:112 Literature and Culture of the Romantic Period 3 s.h.
008:121 British Poetry 3 s.h.
008:131 European Literature of the Nineteenth Century 3 s.h.
008:178 Modern British Drama 3 s.h.
 American Literature and Culture
008:055 American Poetry 3 s.h.
008:056 American Literary Classics 3 s.h.
008:057 American Novel Before 1900 3 s.h.
008:058 American Novel After 1900 3 s.h.
008:059 American Short Story 3 s.h.
008:069 Selected African American Authors 3 s.h.
008:082 Latina/o Studies 3 s.h.
008:083 Topics in African American Literature 3 s.h.
008:086 Topics in Asian American Literature 3 s.h.
008:087 Selected American Authors Before 1900 3 s.h.
008:088 Selected American Authors After 1900 3 s.h.
008:105 Literature and Culture of Nineteenth-Century America 3 s.h.
008:106 Literature and the Culture of Twentieth-Century America 3 s.h.
008:108 Literature and Culture of America Before 1800 3 s.h.
008:115 Literatures of the American Peoples 3 s.h.
008:116 African American Literature Before 1900 3 s.h.
008:117 African American Literature Since 1900 3 s.h.
008:118 Jewish American Literature 3 s.h.
008:123 American Literature and History 3 s.h.
008:135 Topics in American Literature Before 1900 3 s.h.
008:137 African American Autobiography 3 s.h.
008:139 Topics in American Literature After 1900 3 s.h.
008:153 Native American Literature 3 s.h.
008:154 American Regional Literatures 3 s.h.
008:162 Midwest African American Literature and Culture 3 s.h.
008:180 American Drama Before 1900 3 s.h.
008:185 Native American Autobiography 3 s.h.
008:186 African American Drama 3 s.h.
008:196 American Novel Since 1945 3 s.h.
008:197 American Drama Since 1900 3 s.h.
 Transnational Literature and Postcolonial Studies
008:031 Introduction to Postcolonial Studies 3 s.h.
008:075 Selected Transnational Authors 3 s.h.
008:084 Topics in Culture and Identity 3 s.h.
008:109 Literature and Culture of the Twentieth Century 3 s.h.
008:113 Literature and Culture of the Americas 3 s.h.
008:114 Caribbean Literature and Culture 3 s.h.
008:119 African Literature 3 s.h.
008:127 Topics in Asian Cinema 3 s.h.
008:132 Literature of the Indian Subcontinent 3 s.h.
008:133 Inter-American Studies 3 s.h.
008:138 Topics in Postcolonial Studies 3 s.h.
008:157 Topics in African Cinema 3 s.h.
008:161 Transnational and Postcolonial Writing by Women 3 s.h.
008:163 Identity and Social Issues 3 s.h.
008:164 Topics in Transnational Literature 3 s.h.
008:165 Diaspora and Transnational Migrations 3 s.h.
008:167 Literature and Culture of Empire 3 s.h.
008:183 Modern Drama 3 s.h.
008:191 International Literature Today 1, 3 s.h.
008:193 Transcultural Modernism 3 s.h.
008:195 Modernist Women Writers 3 s.h.
 Nonfiction and Creative Writing
08C:023 Creative Writing 3 s.h.
08C:097 Fiction Writing 3 s.h.
08C:098 Poetry Writing 3 s.h.
08C:107 Creative Writing for the Health Professions 3 s.h.
08C:108 Creative Writing for New Media 3 s.h.
08C:110 Creative Writing for the Ecologically Aware: Stories in the Land 3 s.h.
08C:163 Undergraduate Writers' Workshop: Fiction arr.
08C:166 Undergraduate Writers' Workshop: Poetry arr.
08C:167 Undergraduate Writers' Seminar 3 s.h.
08C:195 Undergraduate Project in Creative Writing arr.
08N:050 Word Power: Building English Vocabulary 3 s.h.
08N:080 Nonfiction Writing 3 s.h.
08N:090 Intermediate Nonfiction Writing 3 s.h.
08N:102 Prose Style 3 s.h.
08N:104 Personal Writing 3 s.h.
08N:113 Writing for Business and Industry 3 s.h.
08N:119 Writing for Interdisciplinary Audiences 3 s.h.
08N:120 Advanced Nonfiction Writing 3 s.h.
08N:125 Freelance Reporting and Writing 4 s.h.
08N:130 Special Readings in Nonfiction 3 s.h.
08N:133 Advanced Writing for Business 3 s.h.
08N:140 Editing a Literary Magazine 3 s.h.
08N:141 Approaches to Teaching Writing 3 s.h.
08N:145 Multimedia Writing 3 s.h.
08N:146 Film and Writing 3 s.h.
08N:147 Graphic Writing 3 s.h.
08N:148 Radio and Writing 3 s.h.
08N:150 Undergraduate Essay Workshop arr.
08N:183 Invention 3 s.h.
08N:192 Dublin Writing Workshop 3 s.h.
08N:199 Undergraduate Project in Nonfiction Writing arr.
8WS:120 Writer's House Seminar 2 s.h.
8WS:121 Writers' Seminar: Fiction 3 s.h.
8WS:122 Writers' Seminar: Poetry 3 s.h.
8WS:123 Writers' Seminar: Nonfiction 3 s.h.
8WS:124 Writers' Seminar: Literary Translation 3 s.h.
8WS:125 Writers' Seminar: Playwriting 3 s.h.
8WS:170 Creative Writing Track: Advanced Topics 3 s.h.
Historical Periods

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

Early Literatures Through the 17th Century
008:008 Classical and Biblical Literature 3 s.h.
008:060 Selected Works of the Middle Ages 3 s.h.
008:061 Selected Works of the 16th and 17th Centuries 3 s.h.
008:076 Selected Early Authors 3 s.h.
008:100 Literature and Culture of Seventeenth-Century England 3 s.h.
008:101 Literature and Culture of the Middle Ages 3 s.h.
008:102 Literature and the Culture of the Renaissance 3 s.h.
008:111 Literature and Culture of the Restoration 3 s.h.
008:122 16th- and 17th-Century Poetry 3 s.h.
008:140 Elementary Old English 3 s.h.
008:141 Old English Beowulf 3 s.h.
008:142 Medieval Celtic Literature 3 s.h.
008:143 Medieval Norse Literature 3 s.h.
008:144 Medieval Drama 3 s.h.
008:145 English Renaissance Drama 3 s.h.
008:146 Chaucer 3 s.h.
008:147 Shakespeare 3 s.h.
008:148 Milton 3 s.h.
008:149 Spenser 3 s.h.
008:150 Topics in Medieval and Renaissance Literature 3 s.h.
 Literature of the 18th and/or 19th Century
008:057 American Novel Before 1900 3 s.h.
008:062 Eighteenth-Century British Literature 3 s.h.
008:063 British Romanticism 3 s.h.
008:064 Victorian Literature 3 s.h.
008:078 Selected British Authors Before 1900 3 s.h.
008:087 Selected American Authors Before 1900 3 s.h.
008:090 Topics in Modern British Literature Before 1900 3 s.h.
008:103 Literature and Culture of Eighteenth-Century Britain 3 s.h.
008:104 Literature and Culture of Nineteenth-Century Britain 3 s.h.
008:105 Literature and Culture of Nineteenth-Century America 3 s.h.
008:107 Literature and Culture of Nineteenth-Century Scotland 3 s.h.
008:108 Literature and Culture of America Before 1800 3 s.h.
008:112 Literature and Culture of the Romantic Period 3 s.h.
008:116 African American Literature Before 1900 3 s.h.
008:131 European Literature of the Nineteenth Century 3 s.h.
008:135 Topics in American Literature Before 1900 3 s.h.
008:180 American Drama Before 1900 3 s.h.

Literature of the 20th and/or 21st Century
008:001 Modern Fiction 3 s.h.
008:002 Postmodern Fiction 3 s.h.
008:011 Films and Screenplays 3 s.h.
008:030 Introduction to Cultural Studies 3 s.h.
008:031 Introduction to Postcolonial Studies 3 s.h.
008:032 Introduction to the English Language 3 s.h.
008:033 Introduction to Criticism and Theory 3 s.h.
008:036 Introduction to the Short Story 3 s.h.
008:037 Introduction to Drama 3 s.h.
008:038 Introduction to the Essay 3 s.h.
008:053 Lyric Structures 3 s.h.
008:058 American Novel After 1900 3 s.h.
008:065 Twentieth-Century British Literature 3 s.h.
008:066 Twenty-first-Century British Literature 3 s.h.
008:069 Selected African American Authors 3 s.h.
008:075 Selected Transnational Authors 3 s.h.
008:079 Selected British Authors After 1900 3 s.h.
008:081 Film and Literature 3 s.h.
008:082 Latina/o Studies 3 s.h.
008:083 Topics in African American Literature 3 s.h.
008:086 Topics in Asian American Literature 3 s.h.
008:088 Selected American Authors After 1900 3 s.h.
008:091 Topics in Modern British Literature After 1900 3 s.h.
008:106 Literature and the Culture of Twentieth-Century America 3 s.h.
008:109 Literature and Culture of the Twentieth Century 3 s.h.
008:110 Literature and Culture of 20th- and 21st-Century Britain 3 s.h.
008:113 Literature and Culture of the Americas 3 s.h.
008:114 Caribbean Literature and Culture 3 s.h.
008:115 Literatures of the American Peoples 3 s.h.
008:117 African American Literature Since 1900 3 s.h.
008:118 Jewish American Literature 3 s.h.
008:119 African Literature 3 s.h.
008:127 Topics in Asian Cinema 3 s.h.
008:128 London Performance Study 3 s.h.
008:129 Topics in Criticism and Theory 3 s.h.
008:130 Literature and the Book 3 s.h.
008:132 Literature of the Indian Subcontinent 3 s.h.
008:133 Inter-American Studies 3 s.h.
008:134 Introduction to Book Studies 3 s.h.
008:136 Topics in Popular Culture 3 s.h.
008:137 African American Autobiography 3 s.h.
008:138 Topics in Postcolonial Studies 3 s.h.
008:139 Topics in American Literature After 1900 3 s.h.
008:153 Native American Literature 3 s.h.
008:157 Topics in African Cinema 3 s.h.
008:160 African American Literary/Rhetorical Criticism I 3 s.h.
008:161 Transnational and Postcolonial Writing by Women 3 s.h.
008:162 Midwest African American Literature and Culture 3 s.h.
008:163 Identity and Social Issues 3 s.h.
008:164 Topics in Transnational Literature 3 s.h.
008:165 Diaspora and Transnational Migrations 3 s.h.
008:166 African American Literary/Rhetorical Criticism II 3 s.h.
008:169 Changing Concepts of Women in Literature 3 s.h.
008:170 Literary Genres and Modes 3 s.h.
008:171 Digital Media and Poetics 3 s.h.
008:172 Narrative and the Cinema 3 s.h.
008:173 Topics in Digital Media 3 s.h.
008:174 Topics in Law and Culture 3 s.h.
008:175 Topics in Film and Literature 3 s.h.
008:176 Literature and Philosophic Thought 3 s.h.
008:179 Literature and Society 3 s.h.
008:182 Science Fiction 3 s.h.
008:183 Modern Drama 3 s.h.
008:185 Native American Autobiography 3 s.h.
008:187 Handprinted Book: Design and Production 3 s.h.
008:189 Digital Cultures and Literacies 3 s.h.
008:191 International Literature Today 1, 3 s.h.
008:192 Seminar in Interdisciplinary Studies 3-4 s.h.
008:193 Transcultural Modernism 3 s.h.
008:194 Introduction to Feminist Criticism 3 s.h.
008:195 Modernist Women Writers 3 s.h.
008:196 American Novel Since 1945 3 s.h.
008:197 American Drama Since 1900 3 s.h.
08C:023 Creative Writing 3 s.h.
08C:097 Fiction Writing 3 s.h.
08C:098 Poetry Writing 3 s.h.
08C:107 Creative Writing for the Health Professions 3 s.h.
08C:108 Creative Writing for New Media 3 s.h.
08C:110 Creative Writing for the Ecologically Aware: Stories in the Land 3 s.h.
08C:163 Undergraduate Writers' Workshop: Fiction arr.
08C:166 Undergraduate Writers' Workshop: Poetry arr.
08C:167 Undergraduate Writers' Seminar 3 s.h.
08C:195 Undergraduate Project in Creative Writing arr.
08N:050 Word Power: Building English Vocabulary 3 s.h.
08N:080 Nonfiction Writing 3 s.h.
08N:090 Intermediate Nonfiction Writing 3 s.h.
08N:102 Prose Style 3 s.h.
08N:104 Personal Writing 3 s.h.
08N:113 Writing for Business and Industry 3 s.h.
08N:119 Writing for Interdisciplinary Audiences 3 s.h.
08N:120 Advanced Nonfiction Writing 3 s.h.
08N:125 Freelance Reporting and Writing 4 s.h.
08N:130 Special Readings in Nonfiction 3 s.h.
08N:133 Advanced Writing for Business 3 s.h.
08N:140 Editing a Literary Magazine 3 s.h.
08N:141 Approaches to Teaching Writing 3 s.h.
08N:145 Multimedia Writing 3 s.h.
08N:146 Film and Writing 3 s.h.
08N:147 Graphic Writing 3 s.h.
08N:148 Radio and Writing 3 s.h.
08N:150 Undergraduate Essay Workshop arr.
08N:183 Invention 3 s.h.
08N:192 Dublin Writing Workshop 3 s.h.
08N:199 Undergraduate Project in Nonfiction Writing arr.
8WS:120 Writer's House Seminar 2 s.h.
8WS:121 Writers' Seminar: Fiction 3 s.h.
8WS:122 Writers' Seminar: Poetry 3 s.h.
8WS:123 Writers' Seminar: Nonfiction 3 s.h.
8WS:124 Writers' Seminar: Literary Translation 3 s.h.
8WS:125 Writers' Seminar: Playwriting 3 s.h.
8WS:170 Creative Writing Track: Advanced Topics 3 s.h.
Historical Period Determined by Course Content

The historical period of each of the following courses is designated as either 18th- and/or 19th-century literature, or as 20th- and/or 21st-century literature.

008:035 Introduction to Poetry 3 s.h.
008:052 Literature, Culture, and Women 2-3 s.h.
008:055 American Poetry 3 s.h.
008:056 American Literary Classics 3 s.h.
008:059 American Short Story 3 s.h.
008:084 Topics in Culture and Identity 3 s.h.
008:121 British Poetry 3 s.h.
008:123 American Literature and History 3 s.h.
008:154 American Regional Literatures 3 s.h.
008:167 Literature and Culture of Empire 3 s.h.
008:168 Topics in Poetry and Poetics 3 s.h.
008:177 Literature and Art 3 s.h.
008:178 Modern British Drama 3 s.h.
008:186 African American Drama 3 s.h.
008:188 Prose by Women Writers 3 s.h.

The historical period of each of the following courses is designated as early literatures through the 17th century, or as 18th- and/or 19th-century literature, or as 20th- and/or 21st-century literature.

008:098 Honors Proseminar 4 s.h.
008:190 Topics in Book History 3 s.h.

COURSES APPROVED FOR GENERAL EDUCATION

Courses numbered 08G cannot be counted toward the 33 s.h. required for the English major, so students majoring in English should not use 08G courses to complete the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences General Education Program. Although 08G:001 The Interpretation of Literature is a part of the General Education Program, English majors should substitute a course approved for General Education in the humanities area for 08G:001 The Interpretation of Literature.

Creative Writing Track

Students majoring in English may be eligible to enter the creative writing track. The track  places the same emphasis on training creative and intelligent readers as does the English major.

The creative writing track requires 13 s.h., as described under "Creative Writing Track Requirements" below. In addition, creative writing track students must fulfill all requirements for the English major as stated under "Bachelor of Arts" above, including 008:005 Introduction to the English Major: Theory and Practice and the 6 s.h. of University of Iowa introductory-level writing courses that are required for admission to the track. They also must complete the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences General Education Program.

Selective Admission

Admission to the creative writing track is selective; students must apply and be admitted to the track. To apply, students should have junior or senior standing. They must meet the following requirements:

a cumulative g.p.a. of at least 3.33 in English (based on all English courses taken, including creative writing courses); and

completion of at least 9 s.h. in University of Iowa English courses, excluding those with prefixes 08N and 08C.

They also must have completed 6 s.h. in University of Iowa introductory-level writing courses chosen from the following list.

08C:023 Creative Writing 3 s.h.
08C:097 Fiction Writing 3 s.h.
08C:098 Poetry Writing 3 s.h.
08C:167 Undergraduate Writers' Seminar 3 s.h.
08N:080 Nonfiction Writing 3 s.h.
08N:090 Intermediate Nonfiction Writing 3 s.h.
048:078 Undergraduate Translation Seminar (section 1) 3 s.h.
048:079 Undergraduate Translation Workshop 3 s.h.
049:062 Playwriting I 3 s.h.
049:063 Playwriting II 3 s.h.

Exceptions may be made for students who have not taken an introductory course but who have taken 08C:166 Undergraduate Writers' Workshop: Poetry or 08C:163 Undergraduate Writers' Workshop: Fiction.

Students may apply to the creative writing track during preregistration each semester. For information and application forms, visit the Department of English web site.

Registration in creative writing track courses requires admission to the track.

Creative Writing Track Requirements

The creative writing track requires 13 s.h., including 10 s.h. of writers' seminars and an additional 3 s.h. writing course.

Writers' seminars are the hub of the creative writing track. They give students the opportunity to engage creatively in the relationship between reading and writing; to explore questions of craft, literary traditions, and aesthetics; and to learn how to read literature with a writer's eye.

During a single semester, creative writing track students enroll in 8WS:120 (2 s.h.) and in a writers' seminar (3 s.h.) of their choice, based on one of five genres: fiction, poetry, nonfiction, literary translation, and playwriting. In the writer's seminar, students do intensive work in their genre of choice, with other students who have chosen the same genre. At the same time, students in all genres meet once weekly in Writers' House Seminar, which draws on Iowa's creative writing tradition to provide a common experience that includes readings, talks, performances, master classes and class discussions and prepares students for participation at events led by visiting writers. The curriculum for the Writers' House Seminar includes works by or about the visiting writers, literature that helps contextualize the readings, and exercises designed to heighten students' involvements at events.

Students take the two-course combination of Writers' House Seminar and the genre-specific writers' seminar twice, once in each of two different semesters, for a total of 10 s.h. (5 s.h. each semester). They also must complete an additional 3 s.h. writing course; see "Additional Writing Course" below.

Required courses for the creative writing track are as follows.

Writers' Seminars

Students take 8WS:120 Writer's House Seminar twice, each time during the same semester in which they take their choice of the genre-based writers' seminars listed below. They may take the same genre-based seminar twice, or they may choose two different genre-based seminars (in two different semesters). In meeting the requirement of taking the two-course combination twice (8WS:120 and the genre-based seminar), students may register for the combination in two consecutive semesters, or they may skip a semester.

8WS:120 Writer's House Seminar (taken twice) 2 s.h.

Two of these genre-based seminars, each taken concurrently with 8WS:120:

8WS:121 Writers' Seminar: Fiction 3 s.h.
8WS:122 Writers' Seminar: Poetry 3 s.h.
8WS:123 Writers' Seminar: Nonfiction 3 s.h.
8WS:124 Writers' Seminar: Literary Translation 3 s.h.
8WS:125 Writers' Seminar: Playwriting 3 s.h.
Additional Writing Course

One of these:

008:198 Undergraduate Honors Project 1-2, 3, 4 s.h.
08C:163 Undergraduate Writers' Workshop: Fiction 3 s.h.
08C:166 Undergraduate Writers' Workshop: Poetry 3 s.h.
08N:120 Advanced Nonfiction Writing 3 s.h.
08N:130 Special Readings in Nonfiction 3 s.h.
08N:150 Undergraduate Essay Workshop 3 s.h.
8WS:170 Creative Writing Track: Advanced Topics 3 s.h.
049:165 Advanced Playwriting 3 s.h.
049:169 Undergraduate Playwriting Workshop 3 s.h.

In order to take 008:198 Undergraduate Honors Project (an honors thesis in creative writing), students must be members of the University of Iowa Honors Program, must have completed all of the writers' seminars required for the creative writing track, must be on course to complete all requirements for the English major, and must have departmental approval.

B.A. with Teacher Licensure

Students planning to teach English in secondary schools must complete the requirements for the major in English and gain admission to the Teacher Education Program. Contact the College of Education Office of Teacher Education and Student Services for application forms and information.

By the end of the program, students must have completed the following courses.

ENGLISH (PART OF THE ENGLISH MAJOR) 
A Shakespeare course  
Three American literature courses 
A British literature course 
08N:141/07S:155 Approaches to Teaching Writing (area: nonfiction and creative writing) 3 s.h.
08P:182/07S:182 Language and Learning (area: literary theory and interdisciplinary studies) 2-3 s.h.
08P:198/07S:193 Reading and Teaching Adolescent Literature (area: literary theory and interdisciplinary studies) 3 s.h.
One nonfiction or creative writing course in addition to 08N:141 

A Shakespeare course  
Three American literature courses 
A British literature course 
08N:141/07S:155 Approaches to Teaching Writing (area: nonfiction and creative writing) 3 s.h.
08P:182/07S:182 Language and Learning (area: literary theory and interdisciplinary studies) 2-3 s.h.
08P:198/07S:193 Reading and Teaching Adolescent Literature (area: literary theory and interdisciplinary studies) 3 s.h.
One nonfiction or creative writing course in addition to 08N:141 

 

EDUCATION 
07B:180 Human Relations for the Classroom Teacher 3 s.h.
07E:102/07S:102 Technology in the Classroom 2 s.h.
07P:075 Educational Psychology and Measurement 3 s.h.
07S:100 Foundations of Education 3 s.h.
07S:114 Introduction and Practicum: Secondary English 3 s.h.
07S:115 Methods: Secondary English 3 s.h.
07S:187 Seminar: Curriculum and Student Teaching 1-3 s.h.
07S:190 Orientation to Secondary Education 0-1 s.h.
07S:191 Observation and Laboratory Practice in the Secondary School 6 s.h.
07S:192 Observation and Laboratory Practice in the Secondary School 6 s.h.
07S:194 Methods: Secondary Reading 2-3 s.h.
07U:100 Foundations of Special Education 3 s.h.
One college-level mathematics or statistics course 

07B:180 Human Relations for the Classroom Teacher 3 s.h.
07E:102/07S:102 Technology in the Classroom 2 s.h.
07P:075 Educational Psychology and Measurement 3 s.h.
07S:100 Foundations of Education 3 s.h.
07S:114 Introduction and Practicum: Secondary English 3 s.h.
07S:115 Methods: Secondary English 3 s.h.
07S:187 Seminar: Curriculum and Student Teaching 1-3 s.h.
07S:190 Orientation to Secondary Education 0-1 s.h.
07S:191 Observation and Laboratory Practice in the Secondary School 6 s.h.
07S:192 Observation and Laboratory Practice in the Secondary School 6 s.h.
07S:194 Methods: Secondary Reading 2-3 s.h.
07U:100 Foundations of Special Education 3 s.h.
One college-level mathematics or statistics course 

 

Admission

Applicants to the Teacher Education Program in English must have completed a minimum of 40 s.h., including at least 12 s.h. in English before they can be admitted (the following courses do not count toward the 12 s.h.: all 08G courses, 08N:141 Approaches to Teaching Writing, 08P:182 Language and Learning, and 08P:198 Reading and Teaching Adolescent Literature). Applicants must have a University of Iowa g.p.a. and a cumulative g.p.a. of at least 2.70 as well as an English major g.p.a. of at least 3.00. Applicants must submit an application to the College of Education, including PRAXIS I scores, an Iowa criminal history check, letters of recommendation, and proof of a 10-hour preadmission volunteer field experience.

Minor Licensure in English

Students who seek licensure for secondary teaching in fields other than English may seek minor licensure in English. First-year courses in rhetoric, speech, or writing do not count toward this requirement.

The English minor licensure program includes the following course work. 

An American literature course 
A British literature course 
A course in creative or nonfiction writing 
An additional English course 
07S:115 Methods: Secondary English 3 s.h.
07S:194 Methods: Secondary Reading 2-3 s.h.
08N:141/07S:155 Approaches to Teaching Writing 3 s.h.
08P:182/07S:182 Language and Learning 2-3 s.h.
08P:198/07S:193 Reading and Teaching Adolescent Literature 3 s.h.

An American literature course 
A British literature course 
A course in creative or nonfiction writing 
An additional English course 
07S:115 Methods: Secondary English 3 s.h.
07S:194 Methods: Secondary Reading 2-3 s.h.
08N:141/07S:155 Approaches to Teaching Writing 3 s.h.
08P:182/07S:182 Language and Learning 2-3 s.h.
08P:198/07S:193 Reading and Teaching Adolescent Literature 3 s.h.

 

While this program meets minimum requirements for licensure, the department recommends that students who want to teach English have considerably more training in the field.

Four-Year Graduation Plan

The following checkpoints list the minimum requirements students must complete by certain semesters in order to stay on the University's Four-Year Graduation Plan.

Before the third semester begins: at least one-quarter of the semester hours required for graduation

Before the fifth semester begins: at least two courses in the major and at least one-half of the semester hours required for graduation

Before the seventh semester begins: at least six courses in the major and at least three-quarters of the semester hours required for graduation

Before the eighth semester begins: at least eight courses in the major

During the eighth semester: enrollment in all remaining course work in the major, all remaining General Education courses, and a sufficient number of semester hours to graduate

Honors

The English major with honors gives talented students the opportunity to enhance their course of study through honors proseminars and thesis writing. Each year the department offers six honors proseminars covering a wide range of subject areas and historical periods. Honors proseminars are limited to 18 students, carry 4 s.h. credit, and meet three hours each week. These courses require substantial reading and research and culminate in a 15-20 page essay. Students register for 008:098 Honors Proseminar.

To register for a proseminar, students must have a University of Iowa g.p.a. of at least 3.30 and must have completed three English courses (not including introductory courses in nonfiction or creative writing) with a g.p.a. of at least 3.30 in English. The department also recommends that students complete 008:005 Introduction to the English Major: Theory and Practice before taking an honors proseminar. To enroll in a proseminar, students must obtain a special permission code number from the honors director.

All students interested in taking honors course work are encouraged to join the English Honors Program as soon as they qualify. Students may join online at http://www.uiowa.edu/~enghonor or at the English Honors Program office.

Students who wish to graduate with honors in English must take two honors proseminars, complete a two-semester thesis project, and maintain a University of Iowa g.p.a. of at least 3.30 and a g.p.a. of at least 3.50 in English. In some cases, other academic course work can be substituted for the second proseminar. Students who wish to pursue this option should contact the honors director.

The two-semester thesis project includes 008:120 Honors Thesis Workshop (fall) and 008:198 Undergraduate Honors Project (independent study) for a total of 6 s.h. To enroll in 008:120 Honors Thesis Workshop, students must have completed one honors proseminar with a grade of A- or better and must have a University of Iowa g.p.a. of at least 3.30 and a g.p.a. of at least 3.50 in English.

The English Honors Program has established careful guidelines for each of the six types of honors theses accepted by the department: literary and cultural studies; nonfiction writing; electronic writing and multimedia production; English education; creative writing; and the interdisciplinary thesis for double honors, which allows a student to earn honors in two departments with one longer project. Information on thesis guidelines is available on the English Honors Program web site and in the handout A Guide to the English Honors Program, available in the Department of English office.

Contact the University of Iowa Honors Program for more information about honors study at Iowa.

Minor

The minor in English requires a minimum of 15 s.h. in English courses, including 12 s.h. in courses taken at The University of Iowa. Students must maintain a g.p.a. of at least 2.00 in the minor. Course work in the minor may not be taken pass/nonpass. Students may count a maximum of 3 s.h. of approved transfer credit toward the minor. Before taking courses for the minor, students must complete the General Education Program requirement 08G:001 The Interpretation of Literature.

The minor must include at least 6 s.h. in literature (prefix 008); the remaining 9 s.h. may be selected from additional courses in literature, from most courses in writing (prefixes 08C and 08N), or from courses in linguistics (prefix 08L). The following courses do not count toward the minor: all 08A and 08G courses, 08C:001 Creative Writing Studio Workshop, and 08N:020 Introduction to Creative Nonfiction.

Students may declare the English minor on ISIS. In order for the minor to be recorded, students must indicate completion of the minor on their Application for Degree.

Students who would like help declaring the minor or in planning how to meet its requirements may stop by the advising office or schedule an appointment with an advisor by contacting the undergraduate English secretary.

Writing for Undergraduates

Many undergraduate students come to The University of Iowa because of the Iowa Writers' Workshop (see "Writing Programs" later in this section). The workshop is a graduate program, but any student may take the undergraduate courses taught there: 08C:023 Creative Writing, 08C:097 Fiction Writing, 08C:098 Poetry Writing, and 08C:001 Creative Writing Studio Workshop. However, 08C:001 Creative Writing Studio Workshop does not fulfill requirements for the English major or minor.

Admission to the undergraduate workshops in fiction and poetry (08C:163 Undergraduate Writers' Workshop: Fiction and 08C:166 Undergraduate Writers' Workshop: Poetry) requires the instructor's consent. Students who wish to participate in these workshops must submit samples of their poetry or fiction to the Iowa Writers' Workshop office no earlier than a week before registration and no later than the last day of registration for that semester.

Students majoring in English may apply to the major's Creative Writing Track; see "Bachelor of Arts" earlier in this Catalog section.

Nonfiction writing is also a major area of interest for faculty and students in the department of English. Students may enroll for courses that stress practice in forms of nonfiction writing and for courses that focus on nonfiction literature. Students who wish to participate in 08N:150 Undergraduate Essay Workshop and other courses with special permission requirements should check with the instructor of the course before registering. Introduction to Creative Nonfiction (08N:020) does not fulfill requirements for the English major or minor.

Undergraduate majors may concentrate in nonfiction and creative writing with any combination of 08N or 08C courses (except 08C:001 Creative Writing Studio Workshop and 08N:020 Introduction to Creative Nonfiction).

Graduate Programs

The department offers an M.A., an M.F.A., and a Ph.D. in English. The M.A. introduces students to the professional study of literature, and the Ph.D. prepares them to serve as faculty members at colleges and universities.

The M.F.A. is offered in creative writing and in nonfiction writing. The M.F.A. in creative writing features advanced courses in writing fiction and poetry. Students in creative writing study at the Iowa Writers' Workshop, renowned as a pioneer in teaching writers since its founding in 1936. The M.F.A. in nonfiction writing is one of the few programs in the nation that offers a full range of graduate courses in the area.

Direct application to the Ph.D. program is generally encouraged for prospective M.A. students. But some consider the M.A. an appropriate step in their professional training. These students may have had an undergraduate major in a different field or may want more preparation for other reasons. Some may intend to complete their studies elsewhere. Students interested in careers in any area of book studies (professional writing, editing, web design, or publishing) may wish to pursue the M.A. as a terminal degree, as may teachers seeking to enhance their credentials or students pursuing intellectual growth unrelated to a specific career.

M.A. and Ph.D. students in English mix freely in graduate courses, share the same access to faculty, and meet the same standards of quality in their work.

Exam for the Master of Arts in Teaching

The department administers the English component of the exam for the Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) in coordination with the College of Education. M.A.T. students should contact the Department of Teaching and Learning or visit the College of Education web site for information.

Master of Arts

The Master of Arts in English requires a minimum of 30 s.h. of graduate credit. The program's focus is literary studies. The required 30 s.h. includes 24 s.h. earned in residence at The University of Iowa with a g.p.a. of at least 3.25. Students who wish to transfer to Iowa's Ph.D. program must complete two semesters or 15 s.h. of course work in literature (whichever comes first) before applying for admission to the doctoral program.

COURSE WORK

Each student must take the following courses at the 200 level or above. Applicable transfer courses must be approved by the director of graduate study in English. 

One course in criticism and theory 

One course in criticism and theory 

 

Four courses from the following five areas: 

British or American literature and culture before 1500 
British or American literature and culture 1500-1660 
British or American literature and culture 1660-1800 
British or American literature and culture 1800-1900 
British or American literature and culture of the 20th Century 

British or American literature and culture before 1500 
British or American literature and culture 1500-1660 
British or American literature and culture 1660-1800 
British or American literature and culture 1800-1900 
British or American literature and culture of the 20th Century 

 

Elective courses constitute half of the total credit for the degree and may be chosen from graduate courses both in and outside the English department. Students may wish to explore opportunities for interdisciplinary study, language study, experience in theory and practice of writing, or specialization in a field of literary scholarship.

Department of English graduate courses are repeatable with the written approval of the department's director of graduate studies.

Completion of the M.A. requires either a thesis or a portfolio. Students submit a written description of their choice to the director of the program before the semester in which they plan to graduate.

M.A. THESIS

Students who choose to write an M.A. thesis must submit a brief prospectus approved by a thesis director before they register for thesis credit and at least one semester before they submit the thesis. The thesis committee consists of the thesis director, the director of the M.A. program, and one other faculty member. The thesis is evaluated by the committee as either satisfactory or unsatisfactory.

A copy of the thesis must be presented to the Graduate College for approval. For detailed information about Graduate College deadlines and policies, see the Manual of Rules and Regulations of the Graduate College.

PORTFOLIO

Near the end of their course work, students who do not choose the thesis option must submit a portfolio of work to the M.A. examination committee, which consists of the director of the M.A. program and two other English faculty members. All three read the full portfolio. To pass, the candidate must win a majority vote of the committee members.

Students take the first step toward preparing to submit a portfolio by meeting with the director of the M.A. program to discuss the portfolio. Soon after this meeting, and no less than three weeks before the exam date, the student presents to the director a draft of the portfolio's introductory statement. The director may suggest changes either before or after approving the statement. Once the director approves the statement, the student must provide the director with three copies of the full portfolio at least two weeks before the date of the examination.

The work in the portfolio should demonstrate the student's knowledge of literature as a broad historical and theoretical inquiry. Students submit approximately 50 pages (12,500 words) of their best work, along with an introductory statement of five to seven pages. The body of the portfolio should contain revised versions of papers originally produced for classes. The introductory statement should explain the contents of the portfolio, contextualize each paper, and give a brief overview of the writing. Students are expected to describe the research methods used in assembling their portfolios and the critical practices that ground their work.

Master of Fine Arts (Nonfiction Writing)

The Master of Fine Arts in nonfiction writing requires 48 s.h. of graduate credit; a thesis is required. The program is broadly devoted to literary nonfiction. It is designed primarily for persons who wish to become nonfiction writers, but it also may be appropriate for those who wish to teach, edit, or pursue other activities in the field of nonfiction. Normally, the program takes three years to complete.

The required 48 s.h. includes at least 30 s.h. earned in residence at The University of Iowa and 24 s.h. of work in program-designated courses. Electives may be chosen widely, from courses in the English department as well as any other University departments.

Department of English graduate courses are repeatable with the written approval of the department's director of graduate studies.

In addition to the course work, students are required to enroll for at least 4 s.h. and no more than 8 s.h. of thesis credit. The thesis may be a single extended piece of nonfiction, a collection of shorter nonfiction pieces, or a collection of essays. Whatever the project, the thesis is expected to be of publishable quality.

For more information, consult the director of the Nonfiction Writing Program.

Master of Fine Arts (Creative Writing)

The Master of Fine Arts in creative writing requires a minimum of 48 s.h. of graduate credit. The degree is offered through the Program in Creative Writing (Iowa Writers' Workshop), a two-year residency program that culminates in a creative thesis--a novel, a collection of stories, or a book of poetry.

Throughout the program, workshop students craft their manuscripts and engage in an exchange of ideas about writing and reading with each other and with the renowned teacher-authors who make up the workshop's faculty.

Admission to the program in competitive.

For details about the M.F.A. in creative writing and about the workshop, see Creative Writing (Iowa Writers' Workshop) in the Catalog.

 

Doctor of Philosophy

The Doctor of Philosophy in English requires a minimum of 72 s.h. of graduate credit. The program is designed as preparation for the teaching, publishing, and administrative service required of college and university faculty members.

Concentrations are offered in areas such as literary history and critical theory, as well as interdisciplinary areas such as cultural studies and transnational studies.

Of the required 72 s.h., at least 30 s.h. must be earned in residence at The University of Iowa with a g.p.a. of at least 3.50.

Ph.D. requirements include the following.

Formal admission to candidacy by a vote of the Graduate Steering Committee, usually during the third semester of doctoral study

Course work in any four of the following historical periods, as expressed in texts of the English-speaking and -writing world (usually but not always British or American): 

Literature and culture before 1500  
Literature and culture 1500-1660 
Literature and culture 1660-1800 
Literature and culture 1800-1900 
Literature and culture of the 20th century 

Literature and culture before 1500  
Literature and culture 1500-1660 
Literature and culture 1660-1800 
Literature and culture 1800-1900 
Literature and culture of the 20th century 

 

Three English department seminars taken at The University of Iowa

Fulfillment of the language requirement, usually by completion of an advanced undergraduate course (100-level or above) in a language other than English

A comprehensive examination that consists of the following: a portfolio of five scholarly questions based on a period of literary history (usually British or American); a review essay and annotated bibliography in a special area of interest; two course syllabi; an article to be submitted for publication; and an introduction to the portfolio that synthesizes its parts in preparation for a two-hour oral exam

A dissertation, beginning with a formal presentation of the prospectus to a faculty committee

A final examination in defense of the dissertation

All doctoral candidates are required to gain some teaching experience, preferably in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Department of Rhetoric and in General Education Program literature courses.

For application forms and a complete description of the Ph.D. program, contact the department's graduate program associate.

Admission

For information about admission requirements, see Admissions Guidelines for Graduate Students in English on the department's web site. Applications for admission must be postmarked by the following deadlines:

M.A. and Ph.D.: postmark deadline is January 7.
M.F.A. (creative writing): postmark deadline is January 3.
M.F.A. (nonfiction writing): postmark deadline is December 15.

Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College; see the Manual of Rules and Regulations of the Graduate College or the Graduate College section of the Catalog.

Financial Support

Graduate scholarships, fellowships, and teaching and research assistantships are awarded on a competitive basis. The department strives to provide six years of support for all doctoral students who are in good standing, which requires a University of Iowa g.p.a. of at least 3.50 and full-time student standing.

Financial aid applications are considered only from students who have applied or been admitted to a degree program in the Graduate College. Applications and all necessary supporting material must be submitted by the end of January for the following academic year. Forms are available from the Department of English and the University's Office of Admissions.

Writing Programs

For the past 70 years, The University of Iowa has been a national leader in virtually all areas of teaching writing. Today it offers graduate degrees in both creative and nonfiction writing, gives undergraduate English majors the opportunity to pursue a track in creative writing or a concentration in nonfiction writing, and makes writing courses available to qualified undergraduate non-English majors.

The Program in Creative Writing is conducted at the Iowa Writers' Workshop. Founded in 1936, the workshop counts scores of distinguished poets and novelists among its alumni. Writers compete for admission to the program, where they work with the outstanding teacher-authors that make up the workshop's faculty.

The workshop also brings numerous prominent authors to campus each year for lectures and readings.

The University of Iowa M.F.A. program in nonfiction writing is one of the few programs in the nation that offers a full range of graduate course work in the area. It also gives undergraduates the opportunity to pursue a concentration in nonfiction writing.

For information about the graduate degrees and about undergraduate opportunities in creative writing and in nonfiction writing, see "Master of Fine Arts (Nonfiction Writing)," "Master of Fine Arts (Creative Writing)," and "Writing for Undergraduates" earlier in this section of the Catalog. To learn more about the creative and nonfiction writing programs, visit Iowa Writers' Workshop and Nonfiction Writing Program.

Facilities, Resources

The University of Iowa Libraries collection is strong in all areas of English and American literature. Partly because of the influence of the Iowa Writers' Workshop, University Libraries has particular strengths in 20th-century fiction and poetry, including manuscript collections of 20th-century authors.

Several periodicals are published under the department's aegis. The Iowa Review, Walt Whitman Quarterly Review, and Philological Quarterly offer opportunities for especially qualified graduate students to work as research assistants or editorial associates. The Iowa Journal of Cultural Studies, edited by English department graduate students, features creative and scholarly work by students in English and related areas.

The Department of English and the Iowa Writers' Workshop sponsor a rich and extensive series of readings and lectures by poets, fiction writers, and scholars, all open to students in the department.

The Association of Graduate Students in English sponsors social and intellectual events during the year and provides a forum for student opinion. All graduate students in the department are members.
Copyright 2009 The University of Iowa. All rights reserved.
Updated November 2009