English (MA) Literature and English Studies

Summary

The degree provides students with a firm foundation in British, American, and World Literature with coursework in theory, teaching college-level literature, broader surveys, and specialized author, period, and genres courses. Electives are chosen from courses throughout the English department. The capstone project is an opportunity to shape a program to fit career goals. The program prepares students for teaching positions at the post-secondary level, particularly technical and community colleges, and provides a foundation for doctoral work in English and careers in the literary marketplaces. Students work with dedicated faculty who provide numerous opportunities for professional growth.

Catalog Year

2024-2025

Degree

Master of Arts

Major Credits

34

Total Credits

32

Locations

Mankato

Online

Career Cluster

Languages and Literature

Apply

Program Requirements

Common Core

The course focuses on the major writers, genres and periods in British literature with an emphasis on historical and critical trends in order to provide an analytical framework that will support subsequent work. Must be taken during the student's first year in the program.

Prerequisites: none

The course focuses on the major writers, genres and periods in American literature with an emphasis on historical and critical trends in order to provide an analytical framework that will support subsequent work. Must be taken during the student's first year in the program.

Prerequisites: none

Studies in selected national literature or in topics/periods of world literature. May be repeated with different subject matter.

Prerequisites: none

Advanced study of theories of literature and its production and use.

Prerequisites: none

Research/Methods Course(s)

This course introduces students to research methods and critical writing strategies for masters¿ level work. It also focuses on professional development and the creation of documents such as CVs, conference proposals, and annotated bibliographies. The course is required for all students in the following programs: MA Literature & English Studies, MA English Education, MA Literature and Composition, GC English Literature. Students are encouraged to take this course in the first semester, if possible.

Prerequisites: none

Restricted Electives

Choose 12 Credit(s).

Studies in selected authors in British, American, Multicultural, or World Literature. May be repeated with different subject matter.

Prerequisites: none

Study of works of Shakespeare, including comedies, histories, tragedies, tragic-comedies, and some shorter poetic works, including sonnets.

Prerequisites: none

Studies in topics/periods in British Literature to 1800. Emphasizes close readings of primary works, analysis of pertinent secondary works, detailed class discussion, and analytical writing. May be repeated with different subject matter.

Prerequisites: none

Studies in topics/periods in British Literature after 1800. Emphasizes close readings of primary works, analyzing pertinent secondary works, detailed class discussion, and analytical writing. May be repeated with different subject matter.

Prerequisites: none

Analysis of topics/periods in American Literature before 1865. Emphasizes close reading of primary works, analysis of pertinent secondary works, detailed class discussion, and analytical writing. May be repeated with different subject matter.

Prerequisites: none

Analysis of topics/periods in modern and contemporary American Literature, i.e. fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama. Emphasizes close reading of primary works, analysis of pertinent secondary works, detailed class discussion, and analytical writing. May be repeated with different subject matter.

Prerequisites: none

Study of selected works about gender and gendered experiences up through the present with attention to gender and sexuality within cultural contexts. May be repeated with different subject matter.

Prerequisites: none

Studies in selected authors, topics, or periods of American multicultural literatures, particularly those of Native American, African American, Chicano/Latino American, and Asian American groups. Emphasizes close readings of primary works, analyzing secondary sources, and analytical writing. May be repeated with different subject matter.

Prerequisites: none

Introduction to the major theories of the nature of composition and their pedagogical application.

Prerequisites: none

This course examines the teaching of literature across collegiate levels and is designed for English graduate students. It is both practical and theoretical, examining topics such as: the purposes for teaching literature and teaching critical thinking; pedagogical approaches for teaching literature; and designing syllabi, lesson plans, and assignments. We will explore these topics through a variety of texts and perspectives. Assignments will include creating syllabi and lesson plans, reviewing scholarship on a particular topic related to the teaching of literature, and a conference paper on some aspect of the teaching of literature.

Prerequisites: none

Topics of interest to the teacher or professional working in the field of children's and young adult literature. May be repeated with different subject matter.

Prerequisites: none

Unrestricted Electives

Choose 6 Credit(s).

Prerequisites: none

Capstone Course

Choose 1 Credit(s).

Independent capstone experience, focusing on secondary research sources; paper may have other guidelines specific to the program option.

Prerequisites: none

Policies

Grade Policy. Students must earn a "C-" or better for a course to apply toward the degree. University academic standards mandate that graduate students must maintain a 3.0 GPA.

P/N Grading Policy. Courses leading to the degree may not be taken on a P/N basis, except where P/N is mandatory.

Program Admission:  Entrance requirements for the MA in Literature and English Studies, Graduate Certificate in Literature, and MA in Literature and Composition include a minimum of 30 credit hours earned in literature, language, or related courses; 20 credits should have been earned in upper-division courses. It is recommended that applicants have at least one course focusing on a major literary figure and one upper-division course in linguistics. Candidates whose native language is not English must have a minimum TOEFL score of iBT 80, IELTS 6.5, or Duolingo of 110 to be admitted to the program. In addition to the University’s graduate application requirements, applicants to these programs should submit the following:

  • A personal statement of 1-2 pages describing the applicant’s academic and professional goals
  • 10-20 page research-based analytical writing sample focusing on a literary topic
  • (Optional/Recommended) 2 Letters or Recommendation.

Program Transfer: Students pursuing the Graduate Certificate in Literature who have a 3.5 GPA or higher and have completed at least 9 credit hours can petition the Graduate Studies Coordinator of the English Department to transfer to the MA in Literature and English Studies without filing a new application. Students in either the Graduate Certificate in Literature or Graduate Certificate in Teaching Writing program who meet the above standards may petition the Graduate Studies Coordinator to transfer to the MA in Literature and Composition without filing a new application. Students in the certificate programs with lower than 3.5 GPA should use the university’s graduate application system to submit the application materials required for regular admission to the related MA program (transcripts, a writing sample, a personal statement, and letters of recommendation).

Residency Requirements. Per university policy, students pursuing a graduate degree in the Department of English may transfer no more than 10 credits from another institution. All other credits for the degree must be completed through Minnesota State University, Mankato.