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BSU Catalog Home | Graduate English Course Descriptions


English

Department of English
Hagg-Sauer Hall 218-755-2880


Graduate Faculty

Ms. Susan Carol Hauser (Chair; shauser@bemidjistate.edu), Dr. Mark Christensen (Graduate Director; mchristensen@bemidjistate.edu), Dr. Lauren Cobb, Dr. Brian Donovan, Ms. Maureen Gibbon, Dr. Stephen Gurney, Dr. Nancy Michael, Dr. Michael Morgan, Dr. CarolAnn Schlemper, Dr. Susan Scrivner, Dr. Rosalie Weaver


Degrees Offered


Master Of Arts - English

This program addresses the needs of students who desire to deepen their knowledge of literature and writing. It is particularly suitable for students who wish to go on to doctoral work, to pursue professional training of various kinds, or to engage in other creative activities. It is open to students with an undergraduate major in English, a liberal arts background, or a teacher education degree.


Preparation Requirements

Undergraduate course work should include Shakespeare and the general development of English and American literature. The Department of English evaluates applicants and determines if undergraduate or graduate course work, in addition to required work, is necessary to remove deficiencies.

University Requirements

See Section II, Graduate Study for degree requirements.

Course Work Requirements

I. Required Core

The English Language or Linguistics (3 credits): Contact the English Department Chair about this requirement.

ENGL 6277 Problems of Literary Criticism (3 credits)

Select one course in American Literature:
ENGL 6270 Seminar in Literature (American Theme) (3 credits)
ENGL 6680 Interdisciplinary Seminar (American Theme) (3 credits)

Select one course in English Literature:

ENGL 6260 Shakespeare (3 credits)
ENGL 6270 Seminar in Literature (British Theme) (3 credits)
ENGL 6680 Interdisciplinary Seminar (British Theme) (3 credits)

Subtotal 9-12 Credits

II. Required Electives in English

Select with consent of advisor sufficient courses to bring semester credit total, including thesis, to at least 30.

Subtotal 12-15 Credits

III. Research Paper or Thesis Requirement

A. Research Paper or Thesis

An extensive and detailed analysis of an approved topic in the area of English literature, American literature, literary criticism, composition, rhetoric, or other appropriate subject presented in a form suitable for publication. The subject of the thesis must be approved by the advisor and the English graduate committee before the student may begin research.

B. Creative Thesis

The thesis may be a creative project for which a recommendation from the English graduate committee is required. The Creative Thesis is an option for the Master of Arts degree in English only.

Note: See also Section II, Graduate Study, "Candidacy for a Master's Degree."

ENGL 6990 Thesis (6 credits)

Subtotal 6 Credits

Total Semester Credits Required for Degree 30 Credits

Competency Requirement

Foreign Language: A reading knowledge of French, German, Russian, or Spanish is required for the Master of Arts degree. In specific cases other languages may be substituted with the consent of the Graduate Committee of the Department of English. This requirement may be satisfied in either of two ways:

Successful completion (with grade of "B" or better) of the final second-year course for one of the above languages;
or Passing a standardized reading test, second-year level.


Master Of Science - English

This program is intended for certified teachers who wish to further develop their knowledge of literature and writing while at the same time enhancing their skills in teaching English. It is especially suitable for students who want to teach in secondary or middle schools and may also be useful to those who wish to teach in community colleges. It is open to students with an undergraduate major in English, a liberal arts background, or a teacher education degree.


Preparation Requirements

An undergraduate teaching major in English which should include Shakespeare and the general development of English and American literature. The Department of English evaluates applicants and determines if undergraduate or graduate course work, in addition to required work, is necessary to remove deficiencies.

University Requirements

See Section II, Graduate Study for degree requirements.

Course Work Requirements

I. Professional Education Core Requirements

ED 6100 Educational Research (3 credits)
ED 6107 Advanced Educational Psychology (3 credits)
or ED 6108 The Learning Community (3 credits)

Subtotal 6 Credits

II. Required English Core

The English Language or Linguistics (3 credits): Contact the English Department Chair about this requirement.

ENGL 6277 Problems of Literary Criticism (3 credits)

Select one course in American Literature:

ENGL 6270 Seminar in Literature (American theme) (3 credits)
ENGL 6680 Interdisciplinary Seminar (American theme) (3 credits)

Select one course in English Literature:

ENGL 6260 Shakespeare (3 credits)
ENGL 6270 Seminar in Literature (British Theme) (3 credits)
ENGL 6680 Interdisciplinary Seminar (British Theme) (3 credits)

Subtotal 9-12 Credits

III. Required Electives in English

Select with consent of advisor sufficient courses, including thesis or research paper, to bring semester credit total for degree to at least 32.

Subtotal 8-14 Credits

IV. Research/Thesis Requirement

Note: The subject of the research paper or thesis must be approved by the advisor and graduate committee before the student may begin research.

ENGL 6980 Graduate Research Paper (3 credits)
or ENGL 6990 Thesis (3-6 credits)

Subtotal 3-6 Credits

Total Semester Credits Required for Degree 32 Credits

Competency Requirement

Select one of the following:

1. Foreign Language: A reading knowledge of French, German, Russian, or Spanish may be used for the Master of Science degree. In specific cases other languages may be substituted with the consent of the Graduate Committee of the Department of English. This requirement may be satisfied in either of two ways:

Successful completion (with grade of "B" or better) of the final second-year course for one of the above languages;
or Passing a standardized reading test, second-year level.

2. Statistics: Candidates in the Master of Science program may elect to complete the competency requirement by demonstrating a proficiency in a graduate-level course in the computer application of statistics with a grade of "B" or better or by passing a proficiency examination.


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