English M.A.
Program Rationale:
The Master of Arts in English program is designed for students who wish to pursue the advanced study of English and American literature. The program offers two tracks, both of which provide students opportunity to refine and expand their knowledge of literature written in English and their facility with its criticism.
The traditional “Literary Studies” track begins with an introduction to the theory and practice of literary criticism and research and continues with coursework allowing students to work with faculty in small classes to investigate the discipline of literary studies and the scope of British and American literature from their beginnings to the present day. In this way, the MA program supports students' pursuit of careers in teaching at the K-12 level (or enhances the skills and qualifications of those already teaching); helps prepare students for further advanced study in a doctoral program; and gives them the tools necessary for other careers involving the reading, writing, and analysis of texts.
The “Online-Hybrid Track for Teachers” is designed specifically for practicing teachers, whether in public or private settings, who want to deepen their knowledge of the type of texts frequently assigned in middle- and high-school Literature courses. Students read widely and critically in the school literature canons, and they work closely with faculty to develop their research and presentation skills. The “Online-Hybrid Track for Teachers” offers several advantages for existing educators:
- Graduate level study and research of American, British and World canonical texts
- Available accelerated course schedule
- Summer online courses
- Capstone project geared toward practicing teachers
Program Learning Outcomes:
Students will:
- construct a sound argument, supporting effectively and appropriately a valid claim about the material addressed;
- discuss effectively the literary aspects of a prose work or works, such as tone, point of view, characterization, imagery, etc.;
- employ technical language and appropriate literary terminology in service of a clear, effective treatment of material discussed;
- analyze a work or works effectively from the perspective of genre;
- offer persuasive and technically accurate close readings of poetry, including analysis of prosody and other formal features;
- construct an effective analysis of a work or works informed by the tenets of a literary theory;
- analyze a work or works effectively from the perspective of the cultural issues it addresses (gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, class, etc.);
- analyze a work or works considering accurately their engagement with relevant historical periods;
- read effectively and incorporate successfully into their own arguments secondary material treating the works they address.
Literary Studies Track
Plan B (Comprehensive Examination)
| ENG 598 | Research in English | 3 |
| ENG 500 | Seminar in American Literatures and Cultures | 3 |
| ENG 501 | Seminar in British and Anglophone Literatures and Cultures | 3 |
| ENG 522 | Topics in Poetry and Prosody | 3 |
| ENG 530 | Topics in Literary Periods | 3 |
| ENG 540 | Topics in Literature and Theory | 3 |
12 credits of English electives at the 400 and 500 level, with no more than 6 credits at the 400 level, as approved by the faculty advisor. Students make take one of the following as an elective: ENG 509, ENG 510, or ENG 511.
ENG 598: To be completed during the first year of graduate study.
Plan A (Thesis)
| ENG 598 | Research in English | 3 |
| ENG 500 | Seminar in American Literatures and Cultures | 3 |
| ENG 501 | Seminar in British and Anglophone Literatures and Cultures | 3 |
| ENG 522 | Topics in Poetry and Prosody | 3 |
| ENG 530 | Topics in Literary Periods | 3 |
| ENG 540 | Topics in Literature and Theory | 3 |
| ENG 599 | Thesis | 3 |
9 credits of English electives at the 400 and 500 levels, with no more than 6 credits at the 400 level, as approved by the faculty advisor. Students make take one of the following as an elective: ENG 509, ENG 510, or ENG 511.
ENG 598: To be completed during the first year of graduate study.
Online-Hybrid Track for Teachers
| ENG 509 | American Canons and Cultures | 3 |
| ENG 510 | British Canons and Cultures | 3 |
| ENG 511 | World Canons and Cultures | 3 |
| ENG 598 | Research in English | 3 |
| ENG 595 | Special Project: Critical Case Study | 3 |
15 credits of English electives at the 400 and 500 levels, with no more than 6 credits at the 400 level, as approved by the faculty advisor.
Total Credit Hours: 30