English

The IU Southeast English Department helps students develop the analytic and communication skills they need to compete in the evolving world market of critical ideas.

Our dedicated department is large enough to offer Literature and Writing courses on a broad range of topics, but still small enough for students to make personal connections with their peers and professors. Recent courses have included:

• Western World Masterpieces
• Medieval English Literature in Translation
• American Film Culture
• Writing in the Arts and Sciences
• Critical Practices
• Writing for the Web

We take pride in our teaching, and our commitment to classroom excellence ensures that students engage in lively, thoughtful, and rigorous scholarship.

Students also have opportunities to publish their own work and gain experience in fields of writing and publishing by joining the staff of the IU Southeast Review, the IU Southeast Undergraduate Research Journal, or the Voice, the Magazine of the School of Arts and Letters.

Requirements for All Majors, Who Must Complete the Following 36 Credits in English

1. L 140 Introduction to English Studies (3 cr.)
2. W 290 Writing in the Arts and Sciences (3 cr.)
3. L 202 Literary Interpretation (3 cr.)
   Students should take L 140, W 290, and L 202 as soon as possible after declaring a major. English majors need to take L 140 and L 202 before they can enroll for any 300-level or higher elective courses. With permission from the instructor, students may take an upper-division course concurrently with L 140 and L 202.
4. Two British literature survey courses from L 297, L 298, L 299 (or an approved substitute) (6 cr.)
5. Two American literature survey courses from L 351, L 352, L 354 (or an approved substitute) (6 cr.)
6. Either the literature capstone L 460 Seminar: Literary Form, Mode, and Theme or the writing capstone W 490 Writing Seminar(3 cr.)
7. Concentration-specific electives (see details below) (15 cr.)

L 351, L 352, and L 354 cannot be used as 300-level electives

Prerequisite

W 290 Writing in the Arts and Sciences should be completed within the first 60 credit hours of college credit.

Substitutions

English majors may substitute any 300- or 400-level literature elective with appropriate historical breadth for L 297, L 298, L 299, L 351, L 352, or L 354; such substitutions cannot also be used as elective credit. See the Schedule of Classes for electives that may be substituted for these surveys or speak with your departmental advisor.

Recommendations for All English Majors

The department urges all majors to consider taking ENG-G 301 History of the English Language and PHIL-P 150 Elementary Logic, as well as other electives outside their concentration.

This is an exciting time to be an English major. The possibilities are nearly endless. While many majors go on to graduate and teaching degrees, just as many find jobs in business administration, journalism, publishing, and screenwriting;. Oothers write for the web, while some find careers in the government and non-profit sectors.

As the 21st century unfolds, the ability to read, interpret, analyze, and communicate information will be increasingly vital for students entering competitive fields. An English degree prepares them to do exactly what the current job market wants: think critically and creatively.

Need more proof that an English B.A. can really pay off? Check out some famous folks who got their start in an undergrad English department:

• James Cameron
• Reese Witherspoon
• Conan O’Brien
• Bob Woodward
• Diane Sawyer
• Vin Diesel
• Allen Ginsberg
• Sally Ride
• Michael Eisner

The English program offers courses in three main areas:

• English Language
• Literature
• Writing

The Dr. Carol Bishop Scholarship

Dr. Carol Bishop was a Professor of English at Indiana University Southeast for many years. Before she died in the Spring of 1996, several of her colleagues and friends approached her about the idea of a scholarship for English majors to be given in her name. More than anything else in her life, Dr. Bishop loved to teach literature. She approved of this scholarship and specified the conditions under which it should be awarded. A very generous donation from Carol Bishop's family, supplemented by other donations from previous students, her friends, and her colleagues, makes this scholarship of $1,000 possible.

Who may apply?

• Any undergraduate with a literature major in English who has completed at least two courses in literature, one of which must be upper level (300 level or above).
• A student may be either part-time or full-time, but part-time students must take at least three hours (six preferred) during each of the semesters for which the scholarship is awarded.
• The student should be interested in and enthusiastic about literature.
• The preferred minimum GPA is 3.0 overall and 3.5 in literature courses.

What do you need to apply:

1. Your projected academic schedule for the next two semesters (including applicable summer semesters)
2. Your current GPA in both English literature courses and overall (including a current transcript)
3. Either two short papers (ca. 6 pages each) or one longer paper (ca. 12 pages) written for a literature course and representing your best work
4. Your current phone number and address

When is the deadline for applying

Check with Dr. Susan Mann, (812) 941-2646,  or Dr. Christa Zorn, (812) 941-2685.

Online Tutorials

• IU Southeast Writing Center
• Writing Tutorial Services at IU Bloomington
• Purdue University On-Line Writing Lab

Resources Online

• The English Server
• English Links from Brock University

By concentration

• English as a Second Language

Campus Resources

• IU Southeast Writing Center
• IU Southeast Library
• IU Southeast Horizon Campus Newspaper

Careers in English

• PSU Career Center Resources for English Majors
• Career Opportunities for Majors in English