Undergraduate
Bachelor's Degree Programs
English
Through its courses and other activities in writing, creative writing, literature, linguistics, language instruction, and film, the Department of English seeks to foster students' abilities to read closely, think deeply and critically, research effectively, and write with clarity and purpose, preparing students for meaningful lives and a variety of careers.
The Department of English offers introductory and advanced instruction in the methods and traditions of literary analysis, writing, and language study. It offers concentrations in five areas: creative writing, film studies, language and linguistics, literature, and writing and literacy.
The department also administers the English for Academic Purposes Program, the Writing Program, and the University Writing Center.
Contact the English Department at english@iupui.edu with messages, questions, and announcements, or to subscribe to the department’s e-mail list for announcements and news.
Major requirements:
The English major requires completion of one of the following six concentrations: Creative Writing, Film Studies, Language and Linguistics, Literature, Writing and Literacy, or English Studies. Each concentration requires 33 credit hours in English with a minimum grade of C in each course. All English majors must complete at least 15 hours in English at the 300-400 level. Any course, unless specified as repeatable for credit, may be used only once to fill requirements within a concentration.
CONCENTRATION IN CREATIVE WRITING
Gateway Course (6 cr.) Choose two:
- ENG W206 Introduction to Creative Writing
- ENG W207 Introduction to Fiction Writing
- ENG W208 Introduction to Poetry Writing
Concentration Core (12 cr.)
Four courses in at least two genres, including at least one at the 400 level. One course may be repeated for credit. Students should take courses in sequence: first the 200-level gateway courses, then 300-level courses followed by 400-level courses. Choose from the following:
- ENG W301 Writing Fiction
- ENG W302 Screenwriting
- ENG W303 Writing Poetry
- ENG W305 Writing Creative Nonfiction
- ENG W401 Advanced Fiction Writing
- ENG W403 Advanced Poetry Writing
- ENG W407 Advanced Creative Nonfiction Writing
- ENG W411 Directed Writing (only with permission)
English Experience (12 cr.)
Literature (9 cr.): Three courses at the 200-level or above; one at the 300-level or above.
Language, Pedagogy, and Editing (3 cr.) Choose from:
- ENG W280 Literary Editing and Publishing
- ENG W310 Language and the Study of Writing
- ENG W365 Theory and Practice of Editing
- ENG W426 Writing Nonfiction: Popular and Professional Publication
- ENG W408 Creative Writing for Teachers
- ENG Z206 Introduction to Language Use
- ENG Z301 History of the English Language
- ENG Z302 Understanding Language Structure: Syntax
- ENG Z310 Language in Context: Sociolinguistics
Other courses may also satisfy this requirement. Please see your advisor to have your program of study approved.
Capstone (3 cr.): Scroll to the bottom of page for list of options.
CONCENTRATION IN FILM STUDIES
Gateway Course (3 cr.): FILM C292 Introduction to Film Studies
Concentration Core (18 cr.)
- FILM C391 Film Theory and Aesthetics (3 cr.)
Culture and Film History Courses (6 cr.) Choose two of the following:
- FILM C380 French Cinema
- FILM C390 The Film and Society:Topics
- American Film Decades (Others are taught as variable C390 titles)
- FILM C361 Hollywood Studio Era 1930-1949
- FILM C362 Hollywood in the 1950's
- FILM C393 History of European and American Films I
- FILM C394 History of European and American Films II
Genres and Authorship Courses (6 cr.) Choose from the following:
- FILM C350 Film Noir
- FILM C351 Musicals
- FILM C352 Biopics
- FILM C392 Genres: Variable Titles (may be repeated once with different topic)
- FILM C491 Authorship: Variable Titles (may be repeated once with different topic)
Film, Writing, and Literature Courses (3 cr.) Choose from the following:
- ENG W260 Film Criticism
- ENG W302 Screenwriting
- FILM C493 Film Adaptations of Literature
English Experience (9 cr.)
One 3-credit course each, at the 200 level or above, in linguistics (including ENG W310 Language and Study of Writing), literature, and writing or creative writing (excluding ENG W260 Film Criticism, ENG W302 Screenwriting, ENG W396 Writing Fellows Training Seminar, and ENG E398 Internship in English).
Capstone (3 cr.): Scroll to the bottom of page for list of options.
CONCENTRATION IN LINGUISTICS
Gateway Courses (6 cr.)
- ENG Z205 Introduction to the English Language
- ENG Z206 Introduction to Language Use
Concentration Core (12 cr.) Choose from these courses:
- ENG Z301 History of the English Language
- ENG Z302 Understanding Language Structure: Syntax
- ENG Z303 Understanding Language Meaning: Semantics
- ENG Z310 Language in Context: Sociolinguistics
- ENG Z432 Second Language Acquisition
- ENG Z434 Introduction to Teaching English as a Second Language
- ENG Z441 Materials Preparation for ESL Instruction
- ENG W310 Language and the Study of Writing
- ASL L340 Discourse Analysis: English
- ANTH L401 Language, Power & Gender
- ANTH L300 Language and Culture
English Experience (12 cr.)
In consultation with your advisor, choose four English courses at the 200-level or above, with at least two at the 300- or 400-level. At least three courses must be outside of the language and linguistics concentration and at least one course must be a literature course.
Other courses may also satisfy this requirement. Please see your advisor to have your program of study approved.
Capstone (3 cr.): Scroll to the bottom of page for list of options.
CONCENTRATION IN LITERATURE
Gateway Course (3 cr.): ENG L202 Literary Interpretation
Concentration Core (18 cr.)
Critical and Historical Foundations—Britain (6 cr.)
- ENG L301 English Literature I
and either:
- ENG L302 English Literature II, or ENG L348 Nineteenth-Century British Fiction
Critical and Historical Foundations—US (6 cr.) Choose two:
- ENG L351 American Literature I
- ENG L352 American Literature II
- ENG L354 American Literature III
(ENG L357 Twentieth Century American Poetry or ENG L358 Twentieth-Century American Fiction may be substituted for ENG L354)
Shakespeare (3 cr.) Choose one:
- ENG L220 Introduction to Shakespeare
- ENG L315 Major Plays of Shakespeare
Diversity (3 cr.) Choose one:
- ENG L207 Women and Literature
- ENG L364 Native American Literature
- ENG L370 Black American Writing
- ENG L378 Studies in Women and Literature
- ENG L379 American Ethnic and Minority Literature
- ENG L382 Fiction of the Non-Western World
- ENG L406 Topics in African American Literature
- ENG L411 Literature and Society: South African Literature
English Experience (9 cr.)
Language & Linguistics (3 cr.) Choose one:
- ENG Z205 Introduction to the English Language
- ENG Z206 Introduction to Language Use
- ENG Z301 History of the English Language
- ENG Z302 Understanding Language Structure: Syntax
- ENG Z310 Language in Context: Sociolinguistics
Editing (3 cr.) Choose one:
- ENG W280 Literary Editing and Publishing
- ENG W365 Theory and Practice of Editing
English Elective (3 cr.): In consultation with your advisor, choose one English course at the 200-level or above from classes outside of Literature.
Other courses may also satisfy this requirement. Please see your advisor to have your program of study approved.
Capstone (3 cr.): Scroll to the bottom of page for list of options.CONCENTRATION IN WRITING AND LITERACY
Gateway Course (3 cr.):
- ENG W210 Literacy and Public Life
Concentration Core (18 cr.)
Understanding Literacy and Language (6 cr.) Choose two: (At least one must be a W course)
- ENG W262 Style and Voice for Writers
- ENG W310 Language and the Study of Writing
- ENG W366 Written Englishes: Living Cultural Realities
- ENG W390 Topics in Writing: Health Literacy
- ENG W412 Technology and Literacy
- ENG Z204 Rhetorical Issues in Grammar and Usage
- ENG Z301 History of the English Language
The Practice of Writing (12 cr.; no more than 6 TCM credits)
Choose at least one course from each group:
Group 1: Writing in Context (at least 3 cr.)
- ENG W312 Writing Biography
- ENG W313 The Art of Fact: Writing Nonfiction Prose
- ENG W320 Advanced Writing in the Arts and Sciences
- ENG W331 Business & Administrative Writing
- ENG W377 Writing for Social Change
- TCM 32000 Written Communication in Science and Industry
- TCM 34000 Correspondence in Business & Industry
- TCM 35000 Visual Communication
- TCM 45000 Research Approaches for Technical and Professional Communication
Group 2: Editing, Teaching, & Publishing (at least 3 cr.)
- ENG W280 Literary Editing and Publishing
- ENG W315 Writing for the Web
- ENG W318 Finding your E-Voice
- ENG W365 Theory and Practice of Editing
- ENG W390 Topics in Writing and Literacy: Second Language Writing
- ENG W400 Issues in Teaching Writing
- ENG W426 Writing Nonfiction: Popular and Professional Publication
- ENG W496 Writing Tutor Training Seminar
- TCM 42500 Managing Document Quality
English Experience (9 cr.)
- Film Studies or Literature (3 cr.) 200-400 level
- Linguistics (3 cr., or elective if linguistics taken in core) 200-400 level
- English Elective other than Writing and Literacy courses (3 cr.) 200-400 level
- Other courses may also satisfy this requirement. Please see your advisor to have your program of study approved.
Capstone (3 cr.): Scroll to the bottom of page for list of options.
CONCENTRATION IN ENGLISH STUDIES
Gateway Courses (6 cr.) Choose ONE course from TWO of the following areas:
- L202 Literary Interpretation
- Z205 Introduction to English Language, or Z206 Introduction to Language Use
- W206 Introduction to Creative Writing, or W207 Introduction to Fiction Writing, or W208 Introduction to Poetry Writing
- W210 Literacy and Public Life
- FILM C292 Introduction to Film
English Studies Core (24 cr.)
In consultation with an English faculty mentor, choose 24 credits of English department classes at the 200-level or above, including:- at least three credit hours in at least four of the five different areas of English: creative writing, film studies, language & linguistics, literature, writing & literacy
- UPPER LEVEL COURSES: at least 15 credit hours at the 300-level or above
Capstone (3 cr.): Scroll to the bottom of page for list of options.
Concentration Core (18 cr.)
ENGLISH CAPSTONE COURSE OPTIONS (3 cr.): Choose From-
- ENG E398 Internships in English
- ENG E450 Capstone Seminar
- ENG W426 Writing Nonfiction: Popular and Professional Publication
- ENG W496 Writing Tutor Training Seminar
- ENG L440 Senior Seminar in English and American Literature
- ENG L433 Conversations with Shakespeare
Concentration in Linguistics may also use ENG Z405 Topics in the Study of Language as a capstone option (recommended).
Concentration in Literature and Drama-ENG L440 and ENG L433 (recommended).
Concentration in Writing and Literacy-ENG E398, ENG E450, and ENG W426 (recommended options).
CAPSTONE SHOULD BE TAKEN IN SENIOR YEAR
