Program Emphases and Requirements
Requirements At a Glance
| Emphasis |
Literary Studies | Literature, Language & Culture | Publishing & Print Culture | Writing Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total credits required | 32 | 32 | 33 | 32 |
| Total credits in major | 26 | 25 | 27 | 26 |
| Related-field credits required | Elective | 6 | 6 | Elective |
| Required gateway course | Engl 8906 | Engl 8906 | Engl 8906 | Engl 8906 |
| Required 8000-level seminar courses | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Required Linguistics course | Elective | Required | Elective | Elective |
| Emphasis-Specific required courses | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Foreign-language required |
Yes | Yes or waived (by 2 extra courses) |
Yes | Yes, or waived (by 2 extra courses) |
| Plan B Projects required | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Written exam required | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Oral exam required | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Program Requirements Common to All Emphases
The following requirements apply to all four of our program's emphases. Specific requirements for each of these emphases are detailed below: see Literary Studies; Literature, Language, and Culture; Publishing and Print Culture; and Writing Studies
Prerequisites for Admission
In their undergraduate or previous graduate work, entering students should have completed at least
- 30 credits in English or a related field (these may include credits in literature, language, and advanced composition, or other humanities disciplines),
- 20 credits (among the 30 credits above) of upper division English courses
- one course in English language or English linguistics.
Any deficiencies will be determined by the Director of Graduate Studies in consultation with the Graduate Committee. Certain course prerequisites may be taken concurrently with graduate work and may be applied toward degree.
Course Requirements for All Emphases
As summarized in the table above, successful M.A. candidates must:
- take a minimum of total credit hours
- achieve a total GPA of 3.0 or higher,
- complete a minimum of credit hours within the major
- pass 1 or 2 8000-level seminars, depending on the emphasis requirements, including ENGL 8171, ENGL 8181, ENGL 8191, or WRIT 8500
- register for two credit hours of ENGL or WRIT 5591, as part of the hours required within the major, to account for work on the two Plan B Projects
- establish proficiency in a foreign langague or meet an equivalent requirement, depending on the emphasis
- meet any linguistics requirement specified by the emphasis
- take any specific courses required by the emphasis (within the minimum hours detailed above)
For details, see the specific emphasis description below: Literary Studies; Literature, Language, and Culture; Publishing and Print Culture; and Writing Studies.
Two Plan B Projects
In the last year of the program, the candidate will submit two Plan B Projects, which will normally, but not necessarily, be developed from work completed in graduate courses in English, Writing Studies, or the related field(s). Each project must be supervised and, upon completion, approved by a member of the graduate faculty.
Related Field Courses
Some emphases require 6 credit hours in a related field. If required, a faculty representative from the related field will participate in the comprehensive exam.
See details below: Literary Studies; Literature, Language, and Culture; Publishing and Print Culture; and Writing Studies.
Comprehensive Examination
Under the supervision of an examining committee, the candidate will complete a comprehensive examination near the end of last semester of the program, including a 2-day, 6-hour written examination, as well as an oral exam.
At a Glance | Literary Studies | Literature, Language and Culture |Publishing and Print Culture | Writing Studies
Specific Requirements for the Emphasis in Literary Studies
The M.A. in English with Emphasis on Literary Studies provides concentrated study of English, American, and World literatures and cultures. The following are requirements in addition to those common to all four of the program emphases.
Two Seminars
Students in the Literary Studies Emphasis of the English MA Program will complete two 8000-level seminars (ENGL 8171, ENGL 8181, ENGL 8191, WRIT 8500), which are normally offered only in spring semesters.
The Optional Related Field
Within the required 32 credits, students have the elective option of taking six credits in a related field or fields. Related field courses may be at the 4000-, 5000-, or 8000-level and must be offered for graduate credit. If the related-field option is chosen, a faculty member from that field will participate in the comprehensive exam.
Language Requirement
Candidates in the Literary Studies Emphasis are required to have a reading knowledge of one of the following languages: French, German, Greek, Italian, Latin, Russian, or Spanish. A language not on this list may be chosen by students who can show its relevance to their degree program. No candidate may satisfy this requirement with English. Under certain circumstances the requirement may be waived for foreign students.
Comprehensive Examination:
Under the supervision of an examining committee, the candidate will be given a 2-day, 6-hour written examination on:
I. A literary text to be selected and approved at least four weeks before the examination (2 hours).
II. A list of 25-30 literary works to be chosen and approved at least four weeks before the examination. (3 hours).
III. The related field(s), or a set of synthetic questions (1 hour).
On the fourth working day after completion of the written exam portion, the candidate will meet with the examining committee for the oral portion of the comprehensive exam (one hour).
For details, see The Comprehensive Exam for the MA in English: The Literary Studies Emphasis.
At a Glance | Literary Studies | Literature, Language and Culture |Publishing and Print Culture | Writing Studies
Specific Requirements for the Emphasis in Literature, Language, and Culture
The M.A. in English with Emphasis in Literature, Language, and Culture provides coverage and development in diverse fields of literary, language and cultural studies, with an emphasis on comparative analysis of diverse discourses.
One Seminar
Students in the Literautre, Language, and Culture Emphasis will complete one 8000-level seminar (ENGL 8171, ENGL 8181, ENGL 8191, WRIT 8500), which are normally offered only in spring semesters.
Three Clusters
In additon to the course requirements common to all English M.A. Degree Emphases and the seminar, the Emphasis in Literature, Language, and Culture requires that 12 of the 32 total credits be distributed among three clusters of courses:
- Cluster One: English/Writing Studies - at least 6 credits in literature, writing, or writing studies courses with ENGL or WRIT designators)
- Cluster Two: Language - at least 6 credits in linguistics, studies in media, rhetoric, and/or a language other than English
- Cluster Three: Culture - two or more courses (6+ credits) in a related field such as Cultural Studies, Interdisciplinary Studies, History, Philosophy, or other humanities or social-science discipline.
Language Requirement
Candidates for the English M.A. Degree with an Emphasis in Literature, Language, and Culture have the option of either satisfying the language requirement or taking 6 credits of graduate work in the major beyond the minimum of 32 credits.
Under certain circumstances the requirement may be waived for foreign students.
Comprehensive Exam
Under the supervision of an examining committee, the candidate will be given a 2-day, 6-hour written examination focusing on the individual student's course work and required supplementary readings. The candidate will write the following:
I. Close analysis of a text from a work of literature (in English or another language), non-fiction prose or linguistics, with 5-8 secondary or critical works related to the primary text, selected and approved at least four weeks before the examination (2 hours).
II. Responses to questions based on a list of readings in a) literature, b) linguistics or literature in a language other than English and c) the related field represented by coursework to be chosen and approved at least four weeks before the examination (3 hours).
III. Comparative analysis of readings chosen from each of the three lists above, to be chosen and approved at least four weeks before the examination (1 hour).
On the fourth working day after completion of the written exam portions, the candidate will meet with the examining committee for the oral portion of the comprehensive examination (1 hour).
For details, see The Comprehensive Exam for the M.A. in English: the Literature, Language, and Culture Emphasis.
At a Glance | Literary Studies | Literature, Language and Culture |Publishing and Print Culture | Writing Studies
Specific Requirements for the Emphasis in Publishing and Print Culture
The M.A. in English with Emphasis on Publishing and Print Culture Studies provides both practical training in publishing and scholarly background in the field of print culture studies. The following are requirements in addition to those common to all four of the program emphases.
One Seminar
Students in the Publishing and Print Culture Emphasis will complete one 8000-level seminar (ENGL 8171, ENGL 8181, ENGL 8191, WRIT 8500), which are normally offered only in spring semesters.
Six Hours in a Related Field
Within the required total of 31 credits, students must complete at least 6 credits in a related field or fields. Related field courses may be at the 4000-, 5000-, or 8000-level and must be offered for graduate credit.
Language Requirement
The candidate is required to have a reading knowledge of one of the following languages: French, German, Greek, Italian, Latin, Russian, or Spanish. A language not on this list may be chosen by students who can show its relevance to their degree program; a computer language may also be used to satisfy the requirement. No candidate may satisfy this requirement with English. Under certain circumstances the requirement may be waived for foreign students.
Other Course Requirements
As part of the 27 credits in the major required by the Publishing and Print Culture Emphasis, students must complete courses in literature, publishing practice, and print culture studies, distributed as follows:
2 courses in Print Culture Studies, selected from the following:.................... |
[8 cr] |
Comprehensive Examination:
Under the supervision of an examining committee, the candidate will be given a 2-day, 6-hour written examination on:
I. A text to be selected and approved at least four weeks before the examination (2 hours).
II. A list of 25-30 works to be chosen and approved at least four weeks before the examination (3 hours).
III. The related field(s) (1 hour).
On the fourth working day after completion of the written exam portion, the candidate will meet with the examining committee for the oral portion of the comprehensive exam (one hour).
For details, see The Comprehensive Exam for the MA in English: The Publishing and Print Culture Emphasis.
At a Glance | Literary Studies | Literature, Language and Culture |Publishing and Print Culture | Writing Studies
Specific Requirements for the Emphasis in Writing Studies
The M.A. in English with Emphasis on Writing Studies provides concentrated study of the practice and pedagogy of writing, and scholarly background in the history and theory of writing.
One Seminar
Students in the Writing Studies Emphasis will complete one 8000-level seminar (ENGL 8171, ENGL 8181, ENGL 8191, WRIT 8500), which are normally offered only in spring semesters.
Optional Credits in a Related Field
Within the required 32 credits, students in the Writing Studies Emphasis may complete up to 8 credits in a related field or fields. Related field courses may be at the 4000-, 5000-, or 8000-level and must be offered for graduate credit. A faculty member from the related field will participate in the comprehensive exam.
Language Requirement or Six Additional Hours
Candidates for the English M.A. Degree with a Writing Studies Emphasis have the option of either satisfying the language requirement or taking 6 credits of graduate work in the major beyond the minimum of 32 credits.
Under certain circumstances the requirement may be waived for foreign students.
Comprehensive Exam
Under the supervision of an examining committee, the candidate will be given a 2-day, 6-hour written examination focusing on the individual student's course work and required supplementary readings.
The candidate will write the following:
I. Close analysis of a text from the perspective of the writing studies discipline (e.g rhetoric, composition, critical theory, information design, linguistics, journalism and related fields) selected and approved at least four weeks before the examination (2 hours).
II. Answers to questions based on a list of works from the perspective of the writing studies discipline (e.g. rhetoric, composition, critical theory, information design, linguistics, journalism, and related fields) to be chosen and approved at least four weeks before the examination (3 hours).
III. Related field OR Synthetic option (1 hour): The third part, lasting an hour, may be based on the student's work in the related field or minor and on a reading list drawn up by the candidate in consultation with the related field representative on the examination committee.
Alternatively, the student may elect the synthetic option. In this option, the student will work with the Exam Committee to develop a synthetic reading list, and answer an exam question (or questions) requiring synthesis across the diverse components of the Writing Studies field, including literary, rhetorical, linguistic, compositional, and cultural-studies methods.
For details, see The Comprehensive Exam for the MA in English: The Writing Studies Emphasis.
At a Glance | Literary Studies | Literature, Language and Culture |Publishing and Print Culture | Writing Studies
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