M.A. in English and American Literature
The primary objective of the Literature concentration is to develop skill in reading and interpreting literature. The coursework is designed to provide both a comprehensive knowledge of literature in its historical and intellectual contexts and the opportunity to explore competing theories of critical interpretation. The Literature concentration offers the opportunity for students to prepare for teaching in secondary schools and at junior colleges. It also offers the opportunity for students to prepare for admission to PhD programs in British and American Literature.
Admission Requirements
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. institution or proof of equivalent education in a foreign institution.
- Eighteen (18) hours of advanced-level English courses.
- A writing sample.
- A statement of purpose.
- Three letters of recommendation.
- Optional: a resume or other supporting materials to give a full picture of the applicant’s potential.
- Applicants whose degrees are from non-English speaking institutions are required to demonstrate English proficiency. Please consult the Graduate School website for required scores.
Degree Requirements
*Special Topics courses: Can be used as elective credit; when applicable, can be counted towards an area, with advisor’s approval:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 5325 | Genre: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| ENGL 5390 | Directed Studies | 3 |
*Other Elective Credits: Other graduate courses, from within or outside the English Department, can count for electives, with advisor’s approval.
*ENGL 5391: Written examination over designated materials will be three (3) hours in length, and the oral examination will be one (1) hour in length.
Degree Plan
Required Credits: 36
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MA in English & American Literature (All courses require a grade of C or better) | ||
| Core Curriculum: | ||
| Select one course in each from the following areas: | 15 | |
Research Methods: | ||
| Approach-Methods & Bibliog. | ||
Theory: | ||
| Critical Theory and Practice | ||
Studies in English Literature: | ||
| British Literature to 1485 | ||
| British Literature 1485-1660 | ||
| British Literature 1660-1832 | ||
| British Lit 1832-Present | ||
Studies in American Literature: | ||
| Am. Lit: Exploration to 1800 | ||
| American Literature 1800-1865 | ||
| American Literature 1865-1945 | ||
| American Lit 1945-Present | ||
Studies in Multi-Cultural Literature: | ||
| Literature of the Americas | ||
| Literature and Culture | ||
| Multi-Cult Lit: Theory & Pract | ||
| Multi-Cult Lit: Special Topics | ||
| Area of Specialization: | ||
| Select two additional courses in one of the following areas: | 6 | |
Studies in English Literature: | ||
| British Literature to 1485 | ||
| British Literature 1485-1660 | ||
| British Literature 1660-1832 | ||
| British Lit 1832-Present | ||
Studies in American Literature: | ||
| Am. Lit: Exploration to 1800 | ||
| American Literature 1800-1865 | ||
| American Literature 1865-1945 | ||
| American Lit 1945-Present | ||
Studies in Multi-Cultural Literature: | ||
| Literature of the Americas | ||
| Literature and Culture | ||
| Multi-Cult Lit: Theory & Pract | ||
| Multi-Cult Lit: Special Topics | ||
| Thesis/Exam/Research Option: | ||
| Select one of the options | 6 | |
| Other Electives: | ||
| Select three additional courses from the following: | 9 | |
| Approach-Methods & Bibliog. | ||
| British Literature to 1485 | ||
| British Literature 1485-1660 | ||
| British Literature 1660-1832 | ||
| British Lit 1832-Present | ||
| Am. Lit: Exploration to 1800 | ||
| American Literature 1800-1865 | ||
| American Literature 1865-1945 | ||
| American Lit 1945-Present | ||
| Critical Theory and Practice | ||
| Literature of the Americas | ||
| Literature and Culture | ||
| Multi-Cult Lit: Theory & Pract | ||
| Multi-Cult Lit: Special Topics | ||
| Genre: Theory and Practice | ||
| Directed Studies | ||
| Total Hours | 36 | |
Thesis Option
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 5398 & ENGL 5399 | Thesis and Thesis | 6 |
| Total Hours | 6 | |
Examination Option
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 5391 | M.A. Written Examination | 3 |
| Select one additional course from the following: | 3 | |
| British Literature to 1485 | ||
| British Literature 1485-1660 | ||
| British Literature 1660-1832 | ||
| British Lit 1832-Present | ||
| Am. Lit: Exploration to 1800 | ||
| American Literature 1800-1865 | ||
| American Literature 1865-1945 | ||
| American Lit 1945-Present | ||
| Literature of the Americas | ||
| Literature and Culture | ||
| Multi-Cult Lit: Theory & Pract | ||
| Multi-Cult Lit: Special Topics | ||
| Total Hours | 6 | |
Research Option
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 5392 | Master of Arts Research Paper | 3 |
| Select one additional course from the following: | 3 | |
| British Literature to 1485 | ||
| British Literature 1485-1660 | ||
| British Literature 1660-1832 | ||
| British Lit 1832-Present | ||
| Am. Lit: Exploration to 1800 | ||
| American Literature 1800-1865 | ||
| American Literature 1865-1945 | ||
| American Lit 1945-Present | ||
| Literature of the Americas | ||
| Literature and Culture | ||
| Multi-Cult Lit: Theory & Pract | ||
| Multi-Cult Lit: Special Topics | ||
| Total Hours | 6 | |