Explore the rich history, culture, and canon of the literary world
With a major in Literature, you have the opportunity to study great works of poetry, fiction and drama on your way to pursuing a variety of possible careers. Our graduates have gone on to become professionals in business, education, entertainment, journalism, law, medicine, publishing, and public relations. If you are interested in a Literature Concentration, explore our course requirements below. These courses invite you to the world of Literature and inform your understanding of literary history, culture, and canon.
For more information, contact:
Megan Musgrave
Director of the Literature Program
Associate Professor of English
memusgra@iupui.edu
(317) 274-5671
Cavanaugh 501Q
Requirements: Major in Literature
You must take at least 15 hours of 300/400 level courses in the major. A minimum grade of C is required in each course.
Gateway Course (3 cr.)
- ENG-L 202: Literary Interpretation
Concentration Core (18 cr.):
Critical and Historical Foundations—Britain (6 cr)
- ENG-L 301: English Literature I and either:
- ENG-L 302: English Literature II or
- ENG-L 348: Nineteenth-Century British Fiction (ENG-L 348 may be taken in place of ENG-L 302, but not ENG- L 301)
Critical and Historical Foundations—US (6 cr)
- ENG-L 351: American Literature I
- ENG-L 352: American Literature II
- ENG-L-354: American Literature III (ENG-L 357: Twentieth-Century American Poetry or ENG-L 358 Twentieth-Century American Fiction may be substituted for ENG-L 354)
Shakespeare (3 cr) Choose One:
- ENG-L 220: Introduction to Shakespeare
- ENG-L 315: Major Plays of Shakespeare
Diversity (3 cr) Choose One:
- ENG-L 207: Women and Literature
- ENG-L 364: Native American Literature
- ENG-L 370: Black American Writing
- ENG-L 378: Studies in Women and Literature
- ENG-L 379: American Ethnic and Minority Literature
- ENG-L 382: Fiction of the Non-Western World
- ENG-L 406: Topics in African American Literature
- ENG-L 411: Literature and Society: South African Literature
English Experience (9 cr.)
Language and Linguistics (3 cr) Choose one:
Bulletin also list ENG-Z 205: Introduction to the English Language
- ENG-Z 206: Introduction to Language Use
- ENG-Z 301: History of the English Language
- ENG-Z 302: Understanding Language Structure: Syntax
- ENG-Z 310: Language in Context: Sociolinguistics
Editing (3 cr) Choose one:
- ENG-W 280: Literary Editing and Publishing
- ENG-W 365: 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.
Capstone Seminar (3 cr.) Choose one:
- ENG-L 440: Senior Seminar
- ENG-E 450: Capstone Seminar
- ENG-L 433: Conversations with Shakespeare
Degree Map
To help you guide your four-year college journey, consult your degree map for a snapshot of classes you will be taking to finish your degree.
