This page is to be used as a planning tool. Your degree audit is the official record of degree requirements. Updated August 2022.

English BA Requirements

(min. 36 s.h./max. 56 s.h.)

English Foundation (6 s.h.):
ENGL:2010 Foundations of the English Major
ENGL:2012-ENGL:2016 Reading and Writing About…. (choose one: the Novel; Poetry; the Short Story; Drama; the Essay)
At least one course from each area below:
Literary Theory and Interdisciplinary Studies (ENGL:21XX, 31XX, 41XX; Honors seminars ENGL:4003 and ENGL:4007)
Medieval and Early Modern Literature and Culture (ENGL:22XX, 32XX, 42XX, Honors seminar ENGL:4009)
Modern British Literature and Culture (ENGL:23XX, 33XX, 43XX, Honors seminars ENGL:4002 and ENGL:4006)
American Literature and Culture (ENGL:24XX, 34XX, 44XX, Honors seminars ENGL:4001 and ENGL:4005)
Transnational Literature and Postcolonial Studies (ENGL:25XX, 35XX, 45XX, Honors Seminars ENGL:4004 and ENGL:4008)
Nonfiction and Creative Writing (CW:2XXX, 3XXX, 4XXX; CNW:2XXX, 3XXX, 4XXX; ENGL:27XX, 37XX, 47XX; ENGL:4011 Honors Seminar: Creative Writing)
*ENGL:3010 Children’s Literature varies in area from semester to semester; consult MyUI for semester-specific area designations.

 

At least one course from the Multiethnic Literature and Culture area:
  • May additionally fulfill a different area and a historical period
  • Consult MyUI and the English department’s website (https://english.uiowa.edu/undergraduate/majors/english/english-major-requirements) for semester-specific Multiethnic Literature and Culture courses
At least two courses from each historical period below:
Early Literatures through the 17th Century
18th/19th Century Literature
20th/21st Century Literature
*For many courses, the historical period will vary by semester; consult MyUI course descriptions for semester-specific historical period designations.

 

Optional Literary Publishing Track
  • CNW:2991 Publishing I: Introduction to Literary Publishing (3 s.h.)
  • CNW:2992 Publishing II: Advanced Literary Publication (3 s.h.)
  • One course in editorial practice and import, text revision, or book design (3 s.h.)
  • One course on the economic/social history of the book and publishing industry (3 s.h.)
  • One course in career preparation (1-3 s.h.)
In many cases, courses required for the literary publishing track will fulfill area and period requirements for the English major, though additional coursework is often needed. Consult the English department's website for specific course information. (https://english.uiowa.edu/undergraduate/majors/track-publishing)