Division of Language and Literature

Home • Prospective Students • Academic Divisions • Division of Language and Literature

ABOUT LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE MAJORS + PROGRAMS FACULTY

The mission of the Division of Language and Literature is to foster understanding of the functions of language, command of oral and written communication, and appreciation of the interrelationships of literary, cultural, and human values.

The division has designed its majors in communication and English to accomplish specific student outcomes.

General Requirements for Graduation

ENG 101 Problem Solving and Writing and English 102 Analysis, Persuasion and Research are College-wide requirements of all students. First Year Students who have a score of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement Language and Composition exam or Literature and Composition exam and who have taken the Advanced Placement English course in high school will be given six hours of elective English credit. Students may petition for ENG 101 and/or 102 credit in lieu of elective credit by submitting a writing portfolio; contact the Division of Language and Literature for guidelines. Interested students should also note that Wesleyan gives credit for ENG 101 and/or 102 to entering students who have the requisite scores in the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) Subject Examination. The following courses meet the Shared Experience literature requirements:

English 326 Environmental Literature
          327 Reading Film as Literature
          341 Masters of World Literature
          349 Masters of American Literature I
          350 Masters of American Literature II
          352 Shakespeare
          365 The English Novel
          380 Topics in Literature

Acceptable grades in the Shared Experience literature courses are determined by individual programs. Students must complete satisfactorily English 101 and 102 before enrolling in a Shared Experience literature course.

Language and Literature

The division has designed its majors in communication and English to accomplish specific student outcomes. Communication majors will:

Demonstrate understanding of effective communication expression;
Effectively create imaginative expressions in some media with professional competence;
Reflect meaningfully on their own work;
Select and apply appropriate research methodology; and
Recognize the progressive development of technologies and the implications of such development.

English majors will:

Recognize and connect historical and imaginative expressions and linkages among literary periods;
Demonstrate professional competence; and
Reflect meaningfully on their own work.

In addition to courses, the division offers opportunities for learning and creative activity outside the classroom in the forms of membership in the English honor society (Sigma Tau Delta) or the Radio Club, involvement in speech activities including the Edward A. Wright Oral Interpretation Festival, contributing to the a literary annual (Design), and writing for the Iowa Wesleyan Courier campus newspaper. The Iowa Wesleyan College video production facility, the campus radio station (IWCR), and audio production studio give students many practical opportunities for “hands on” experience with professional equipment. Along with meeting the all-college requirement of at least “C” grades in all major courses, communication, English, and English-Secondary Teaching majors must have grades of at least “C” in all required support courses and may have no more than two “D” grades in Shared Experience courses. All students majoring in the Division of Language and Literature will receive the B.A. degree and must complete the modern language requirement.

Applications & Forms

Division of Language Literature Programs + Majors

Communication	BA	Minor
English Major	BA	Minor
English-Secondary Teaching Major	BA	Minor

David Price, Ph.D. Professor of Communication 319.385.6369 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Learn More	Vivian Donaldson, B.A. Instructor in English and Writing Specialist 319.385.6418 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Learn More	Bitrus P. Gwamna, Ph.D. Professor of Communication 319.385.6371 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Learn More
Robert L. Bensmiller, M.A. Associate Professor of Communication 319.385.6366 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Learn More	Jeff Martinek, Ph.D. Associate Professor of English 319.385.6394 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Learn More	Lori Muntz, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of English 319.385.6390 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Learn More
Maryellen Potts, Ph.D. Associate Professor of English 319.385.6393 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Learn More