Master of Arts English

Lead Faculty: Dr. Janet Ann Baker

The Master of Arts in English provides a balanced and comprehensive program of graduate study in literature and writing. The program is ideal for teachers who desire a content M.A. beyond the credential. It is also excellent preparation for doctoral studies in English, teaching in the two-year college, or other careers requiring a high degree of literacy.

The curriculum offers a balanced coverage of major approaches to literature, including theoretical, historical, comparative, thematic, multicultural, and genre studies. It provides students with the tools and skills to produce literary scholarship of professional quality and to participate in the ongoing scholarly discussions of issues in the field of literary study.

Program Outcomes
By the end of this program, students shall have the tools and skills to produce literary scholarship of professional quality and to participate in the ongoing scholarly discussions of issues in the field of literary study.
 
Specifically, by the end of this program, students will be able to:

• Research and apply relevant criticism in sustained analyses and interpretations of specific works of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry.
• Evaluate the relevance and validity of different theoretical approaches (e.g., historicist, biographical, etc.) to the understanding of specific works of literature.
• Engage in informed critical discussion, both oral and written, of theoretical issues pertaining to the study of literature.
• Synthesize current theory and practice in the study of American multicultural literature.
• Evaluate the complexities of canon formation.
• Engage in informed critical discussion, both oral and written, of the works and criticism of a specific literary period or movement.
• Participate in rigorous critiques of the scholarly works of others.
• Revise and expand a scholarly paper to submit for publication in a scholarly or literary journal.

Writing Across the Curriculum:
The University's Writing Across the Curriculum program offers opportunities for students to participate in meaningful projects that will enhance their career development. These projects include editing and producing the student literary journal, The GNU and working on the WHACK, the Writing Across the Curriculum Newsletter. Contact Vicki Martineau, Director of Writing Across the Curriculum, at vmartine@nu.edu, for additional information.

In addition, various departmental faculty have opportunities for students to assist them with teaching, scholarly projects, or other activities and students can receive valuable experience and mentoring from working with them. Contact individual faculty members for information.

Requirements

Degree Requirements (10 courses; 45 quarter units):
To receive the Master of Arts in English, students must complete at least 45 quarter units. A total of 4.5 quarter units of graduate credit may be granted for equivalent graduate work completed at another institution, as it applies to this degree and provided the units were not used in earning another advanced degree. Students should refer to the General Catalog section on graduate admission requirements for specific information regarding admission and evaluation.

Program Core Requirements (6 courses; 27 quarter units):
ENG 600 - Seminar in Literary Theory
ENG 610 - Seminar in Multicultural Literature of North America
ENG 620A - Seminar in a Literary Period or Movement I (if not used to fulfill another program requirement)
or
ENG 620B - Seminar in a Literary Period or Movement II (if not used to fulfill another program requirement)
ENG 640 - Seminar in Poetry
ENG 690A - Seminar in a Major Author I (if not used to fulfill another program requirement)
or
ENG 690B - Seminar in a Major Author II (if not used to fulfill another program requirement)
ENG 699 - English Capstone course (Prerequisite: All other program requirements must be completed before enrolling in this course. Exceptions may be made if student is within two courses of program completion, only with the approval of the Program Director.)

Program Electives (4 courses; 18 quarter units)
Select from the following list of courses:

ENG 620A or ENG 620B - Seminar in a Literary Period or Movement I or II (if not used to fulfill another program requirement)
MCW 620: Writing Internship
MCW 630 - Seminar in Fiction
MCW 650 - Seminar in Creative Non-Fiction
ENG 655: Composition Pedagogy
ENG 660 - Seminar in Literary Hypermedia
ENG 665 - Film Theory
ENG 666 - Film History: The Silents
ENG 667 - Film History: American Film
ENG 668 - Film Genre Studies
ENG 669 - World Film
ENG 670 - Seminar in Comparative Literary Studies
ENG 690A or ENG 690B - Seminar in a Major Author I or II (if not used to fulfill another program requirement)
ENG 680A - Seminar in a Theme I
ENG 680B - Seminar in a Theme II
ENG 685 - Great Directors: American
ENG 686 - Great Directors: International

Program Information

• Send to a Friend

Online Education

This program is available online.

Program Locations

• Camarillo Campus
• Costa Mesa Campus
• La Mesa Campus
• Los Angeles Campus
• Sacramento Campus
• South Bay Campus
• Spectrum Business Park Campus
• Technology and Health Sciences Center

Related Downloads

• Career Information