English Studies at “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iaşi
English Studies at “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of Iaşi

Summary/Abstract: This paper explores the ups and downs of English Studies in Moldavia, mainly in Iaşi, the former capital of this Romanian principality. English Studies in Moldavia was inaugurated before the foundation of the Department of English (1925) at “Al.I. Cuza” University of Iaşi, the oldest Romanian University. Long before that date, the main Romanian literary journals issued in Iaşi – Convorbiri Literare and Viaţa Românească among them – had published studies, articles and reviews that aimed to acquaint Romanian readers with a less familiar literature and culture. The contribution of Iancu Botez, the first professor of English at “Al.I. Cuza” University, to the development of English Studies is substantial and is discussed at some length here. The contributions of other scholars, both Romanian and British, are also noted and assessed in the following, among them Teresa Stratilesco, A. Lawrence, A.C. Cawley, Emil Diaconu, Viorica Dobrovici (who founded the new department of English in 1963), Hertha Perez. A survey of recent developments and trends closes this case study of English Studies at Iaşi.

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