Masters Program

The Master of Arts in English is a broad program of study preparing the students to teach literature effectively at the undergraduate level, to pursue doctoral study, or to practice the profession of letters. The aim is mastery of a whole discipline, not specialization in one aspect of it, and, consequently, study is not confined to literature written in English but embraces a tradition of great works inclusive of Homer, Virgil, Dante, the Greek dramatists, and other Continental writers ancient and modern.

The 30 credit hour Master of Arts degree requires the completion of 24 course hours at the graduate level, demonstrated proficiency in a foreign language, a comprehensive examination, and a thesis (6 credit hours). Competency in this profession of letters is gained in a year or more of intensive study. Although familiarity with the scope of English and American literature is demanded and ability in the scholarly and communicative apparatus is expected, what distinguishes the M.A. program at the University is its concentration on a critical mastery of the "literary tradition"--that living body of great European and American works that provides standards for literary judgment. Before beginning the M.A. thesis the candidate will demonstrate a reading competency in Greek, Latin, French, German, or Italian. The language requirement may be met by completing an upper level language course with a grade of B or better or by passing an examination in translation. Completion of the thesis will most likely extend into the summer.

The Master of English

The Master of English is intended for those who wish to pursue advanced study in English, but who are not especially preparing for a professional career in teaching or research. The degree requires 30 hours of graduate course work in English and the successful completion of a comprehensive examination.

Courses in Literature

5301-5310. Cross-listed Courses. These numbers indicate undergraduate courses taken for graduate credit. Additional work is assigned for graduate students.

5311. Studies in Myth. A consideration of literary renderings of myth with a view to grasping how myths inform particular works of literature. The relations between myth and ritual, cult, religion, philosophy; the persistence of myths from ancient to modern art. Authors frequently treated include Homer, Hesiod, Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Ovid, Virgil, Spenser, Yeats, Joyce, Faulkner, Freud, Eliade, Levi-Strauss, V. Turner.

5312. The English Renaissance. Through study of literature written under the Tudors and Stuarts the course reflects upon artistic accomplishment amid conflicting perspectives upon man and society, the Church, the relation between Christianity and rediscovered classical ideals, an emerging new science. Authors usually read include Erasmus, More, Spenser, Shakespeare, Jonson, Bacon, Webster, Middleton, Sidney, Marlowe, Castiglione, Machiavelli.

5320. Arthurian Romance. An approach to a medieval genre-romance-and a medieval theme- fin' amors-through the study of major literary manifestations of the medieval legend of Arthur. Authors and texts studied may vary, but as a rule special emphasis will be given to the twelfth-century verse romances of Chrtien de Troyes and Sir Thomas Malory's fifteenth-century "reduction" of the legend into English prose.

6351. Directed Readings. A tutorial course arranged between the professor and the student. Prerequisite: Written permission of the Program Director and Graduate Dean.

6377. Special Studies. Courses offered according to student interest and faculty availability.

6V99. Graduate Reading. Registration for this course indicates that the student is involved in studies necessary for the completion of degree requirements. At the end of each Reading course the student must demonstrate progress toward completion of requirements. Master's students are limited to a total of two graduate level non-credit Reading courses. This is a non-credit course. A matriculation fee is required. This fee entitles the student to the use of the library and other basic services.

7678. Thesis Research. A six credit-hour course designed for the student writing the M.A. thesis under the guidance of an appointed thesis director. An approved topic is a prerequisite for registering for Thesis Research. A grade of "T" is assigned for this course which remains until the thesis has been approved.

Descriptions of the following are found under the Institute of Philosophic Studies:

• 6311. The Epic.
• 6315. Classical Rhetorical Theory.
• 6316. Pastoral Poetry.
• 6322. Shakespeare.
• 6332. Spenser
• 6333. Milton.
• 6344. Tragedy/Comedy.
• 6355. Russian Novel.
• 6360. Literary Criticism and Theory.
• 7311. Chaucer.
• 7321. English Romanticism.
• 7322. Victorian Literature.
• 7333. Faulkner.
• 8322. Melville/Hawthorne/James.
• 8333. Dante.
• 8344. Menippean Satire.
• 8355. Augustan Literature.
• 8366. Modern Literature.
• 8388. Southern Literature.
• 8399. Studies in the Novel.

Application for admission to the master's programs in English includes a completed application form, two letters of reference, a statement of purpose, an intellectual autobiography, a sample of academic writing, official transcripts of previous college work, and GRE General Test scores that are not more than three years previous to the date of the application. Ordinarily a B.A. in English is required for admission. Students without the B.A. in English but otherwise qualified may be required to take up to 12 hours of undergraduate credit in English concurrently with their graduate courses.

Click here for the Braniff Graduate School Masters Program page