English–M.A.

English (30 cr)

A. Core Requirements (9 cr)

ENG 502 - Theories of Teaching Composition credit: 3
ENG 537 - Ethnicity and Cultural Difference in Literature credit: 3
ENG 566 - Literary Criticism credit: 3

B. Electives (15 cr)

Alternative combinations of these elective courses are acceptable, with the permission of the Graduate Director. One elective maybe chosen (with permission of the English Graduate Director) from graduate courses taught by another department.

Select two TEXT courses - 6 credits

Select two CONTEXT courses - 6 credits

Select one THEORIES course - 3 credit

C. Culminating Tracks (6 cr)

Candidates choose one of the following three tracks:

Two three-hour teaching internships, each in a different undergraduate English course; each requiring a researched written commentary on the work of the semester.
Six hours combining course work and independent study, chosen under advisement to strengthen the student’s knowledge of literature and language, followed by a culminating examination.
MA Thesis

Elective Course Offerings

TEXT Courses
ENG 519 - Shakespeare’s Development credit: 3
ENG 521 - 18th-Century English Novel credit: 3
ENG 522 - 19th-Century English Novel credit: 3
ENG 523 - 20th-Century British Novel credit: 3
ENG 525 - Chaucer credit: 3
ENG 526 - Early English Drama: City Comedy and Revenge Tragedy credit: 3
ENG 528 - Milton credit: 3
ENG 540 - Modern American Drama credit: 3
ENG 542 - The 19th Century American Novel credit: 3
ENG 551 - American Poetry Since 1945 credit: 3
ENG 563 - Studies in Short Fiction credit: 3
CONTEXT Courses
ENG 510 - Literature of Medieval England credit: 3
ENG 512 - 17th Century Prose and Poetry credit: 3
ENG 515 - British Romantic Writers credit: 3
ENG 531 - American Romanticism credit: 3
ENG 532 - American Realism and Naturalism credit: 3
ENG 533 - 20th Century American Literature credit: 3
ENG 557 - Black Women Writers credit: 3
ENG 560 - Literature in a Global Context credit: 3
ENG 570 - Women in Literature credit: 3
ENG 580 - Narratives of Identity credit: 3
ENG 567 - Literature and Psychology credit: 3
ENG 571 - Postmodernism credit: 3
ENG 573 - Theories of Language credit: 3
ENG 575 - Theories of Diverse Sexuality credit: 3
ENG 581 - Narrative Theory credit: 3
ENG 586 - The Cinema credit: 3
ENG 587 - Business Literature credit: 3
ENG 627 - Shakespeare and Interpretive Theories credit: 3
ENG 643 - Critical Response/Critical Reputation: William Faulkner credit: 3

Culminating Track / Special Track Courses

ENG 595 - Specialized Studies credit: 3
ENG 599 - Independent Study credit: 3
ENG 630 - American Writers credit: 3
ENG 650 - Special Topics in Fiction credit: 3
ENG 670 - European and Colonial Writers credit: 3
ENG 690 - Internship in College Teaching credit: 3
ENG 691 - Literature credit: 3
ENG 695 - Thesis credit: 6
ENG 699 - Reading for Examination credit:

Additional Requirements

Upon starting course work, each student should make an appointment to meet with the English Department Director of Graduate Studies for the purpose of orientation and advising, etc. The student must maintain a “B” average in course work. Students may not begin their culminating track (Part C) without a “B” average or better.

Foreign Languages: There is no longer a foreign language requirement for the MA at Oswego. However, students interested in post-secondary teaching and others who are contemplating further study of literature, language, and theory at PhD-granting institutions are encouraged to continue acquiring skills in at least one foreign language.

Students should begin the process of choosing their culminating tracks no later than the completion of 12 hours of credit, in order to make satisfactory arrangements with faculty members and to receive adequate advice from the graduate faculty as well as the graduate director.

Arrangements for teaching internships, including a draft course contract signed by student and prospective faculty member, should be filed with the English Department Graduate Director by the middle of the semester preceding that in which the internship will take place.

Those electing the option to strengthen their knowledge will need to describe and justify their plans at least two semesters before their scheduled examination takes place, in order that reading lists, course work, and examination topics can be prepared.

Students electing to write a thesis will need to file an application with the English Department Graduate Director, with topic, preliminary bibliography, and requested readers at least two semesters before anticipated completion. Each thesis will have a faculty director and two outside readers, one of whom may (with agreement by the Graduate Committee) be a member of the graduate faculty outside the English Department.

Note: English graduate courses will normally be offered during Fall and Spring semesters in evenings or very late afternoons. Summer offerings may be presented during the day or in the evening. It is anticipated that most students will take 12 hours of credit each academic year because of pressures of their employment elsewhere. Normal progress toward the degree will, then, take a little more than two years, with one course taken each semester and two during the summer sessions, but individual variations from this pattern are, of course, to be expected.