Master of Arts in English

The Master of Arts in English program offers two emphases; one in literature and one in creative writing.  Both require core courses in writing, literary theory, language, and genre courses that permit intensive study of narrative, lyric, and drama.

This program is designed for working adults who come from many diverse backgrounds; it does not require an undergraduate degree in English.  All required courses are offered in the evenings and enrollment is guaranteed.  Students generally take between two and one-half and five years to complete the degree.

The program's integral link with the annual Creative Writers' Series, sponsored by the English Department, enables students to interact with noted and diverse authors and scholars. Students interested in creative writing and publishing may also wish to become involved in the production of the University's literary journal, The Bohemian. Other programs sponsored by the Department of English include the Seminar in Humanities and the Teaching English as a Second Language Certificate Program (TESL) .

Program Requirements

The MA-English program requires 30 semester units, not including the undergraduate foundation courses that vary with each individual's preparation. Students must have fulfilled all prerequisite requirements before advancement to candidacy (completion of 15 units). Graduate core courses are required of all students enrolled in the program. These six units are usually taken during the first year and one half of study. The remaining 24 units are taken in an area of emphasis, which may be in either Literature or Creative Writing.

Genre courses permit intensive study of narrative, lyric, and drama. Content of the Period Course varies, but usually concentrates on British poetry or prose. Elective courses include undergraduate upper-division language, literature, theory, composition, creative writing, and teaching apprenticeship or assistantship courses.

Students complete a Thesis or Creative Writing Project for six units.

Prerequisites	Units
1 Undergraduate Lower-Division Composition Course	3
1 Undergraduate Upper-Division Composition Course	3
2 Undergraduate Upper-Division Literature Courses	6
Core Courses	Units
EN203 Seminar in Literature	3
EN205 Language: Theory and Practice	3
Total	6
Genre Courses	Units
EN213 Narrative	3
EN214 Lyric	3
EN215 Narrative	3
Literature Emphasis
2 Core Courses	6
2 Genre Courses	6
4 Elective Courses	12
Thesis	6
Total	30
Creative Writing Emphasis	Units
2 Core Courses	6
2 Genre Courses	6
Electives/Creative Writing Courses	12
Writing Project	6
Total	30

Course Descriptions

EN202 Writing: Theory and Practice (3)
Investigates current writing theory and practice in various forms of writing, including fiction, article writing, and technical writing, with an emphasis on process and methodology.

EN203 Seminar in Literature (3)
This is a methods and content course, involving reading of critical texts in conjunction with primary texts. Students entertain alternative interpretations of the selected literary works.

EN204 Linguistics and Semiotics (3)
Introduces the study of linguistics and semiotics with emphasis on application to literary analysis. Topics include: gender differences in language and communication, semantics, pragmatics, sociolinguistics, ethnolinguistics, the brain and language, cognitive psychology, discourse theory and text analysis, and semiotics.

EN205 Language: Theory and Practice (3)

Investigates current writing theory and practice in various forms of writing, with an emphasis on process and methodology.  Introduces the study of linguistics and stylistics with an emphasis on application to literary analysis.

EN213 Narrative (3)
Gives an advanced study of major forms of narrative (epic, romance, novel, short story) from antiquity to the present, with emphasis on theoretical understanding of the genre. Students evaluate selected literary masterpieces in terms of classical and contemporary critical approaches. May be repeated for credit.

EN214 Lyric (3)
Focuses on study and critical assessment of lyric poetry with emphasis on the works of major poets who have contributed to the development of the genre in English.

EN215 Drama (3)
Focuses on an understanding and appreciation of the dramatic genre, from its origins to the present, with special attention given to the development of British and American traditions.

EN216 Period Course (3)
The Period Course is an extensive study of major works representing the thematic and stylistic characteristics of primary developmental periods in the British and American literary canons. The content of the course varies from year to year depending on student and faculty interest and choice. In the past, the course has addressed the medieval, Renaissance, Romantic, early modern, post modern, and contemporary periods of literature.

EN240 Graduate Creative Writing Workshop (3)

Designed to inspire as well as challenge, the workshop is the backbone of this multi-genre creative writing course.  Every week students have the opportunity to have their work carefully critiqued.  This feedback, supplemented with discussions about craft and with selected readings, will enable students to bring their writing to the next level.  Individual projects are encouraged; a portfolio of completed work is required at the end of the semester.

EN241A Advanced Fiction and Nonfiction Writing (3)
Focus on advanced composition of fiction and nonfiction texts with emphasis on work-shopping works in progress. Attention is paid to the formal elements of audience, structure, diction, logical development, character, point of view, and stylistic detail.

EN295 Special Topics (3)
Content varies as students' needs and interest require. Content may include approaches to expository, technical, and creative writing, or focus on specific authors or literary movements. Students should contact the English Department to learn the exact scheduling and content of this offering.

EN298A Thesis: Directed Research (3)
EN298B Thesis: Directed Writing (3)
Student writes an original, in-depth study in an area of his or her discipline using primary sources when available, demonstrating an awareness of the latest developments in the area, and presenting thorough research. Alternatively, a student may develop a creative project in poetry, narrative, playwriting, or other areas. The student consults regularly with a faculty member serving as a mentor.

EN349P Community-Based Pedagogy/Teaching Assistantship (3)
Students in this class have the opportunity to work as teaching assistants in a variety of settings inluding community college classrooms, juvenile detention facilities, and the women's jail. Each student works in the classroom with a mentor teacher for three hours per week. In addition, Community-Based Pedagogy will meet twice per month to enable students to share their experiences, role play, get support, and discuss assigned readings from the field of pedagogy.

EN349T Teaching Apprenticeship (3)
Supervised experience in college teaching in the Writing Center or in a lower-division or upper-division literature course at NDNU or a local community college is available.

EN592 Seminar in the Humanities (3)
Cross-listed with EN192. See English (UG) listings for course description.

Admission Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in any field from an accredited four-year college or university
• A cumulative grade-point average of 2.5 or better
• Two academic and/or professional letters of recommendation
• Completion of at least two undergraduate courses in each area of writing and literature
• Representative writing sample of 500 to 1000 words in length

For further information contact the Master of Arts in English Office at (650) 508-3730 or jberger@ndnu.edu.