MA in English
Overview
Curriculum
Course Descriptions
The Master of Arts in English at Notre Dame of Maryland University is a 30-credit comprehensive curriculum designed to provide students with the content and methodologies required to become better teachers of English at the secondary level and to prepare students for doctoral-level work in English.
The curriculum focuses on breadth of content, providing broad surveys of English, American and world literature while also requiring a depth of knowledge in literary research, history and interpretation. Students will hone their critical thinking and writing skills as they master the concepts and theories central to the study of literature. The program, while comprehensive in scope, is distinctive in its emphasis on gender: Notre Dame's mission focuses on women's ability to transform the world through education, and all courses in this program include literature by women and issues of women in literature.
The program is designed primarily for working adults who choose to pursue the degree part-time. Therefore courses are offered in a sequence, with one course taught per semester (one evening weekly in fall and spring and two evenings weekly during each of the two summer sessions), providing for completion of coursework and comprehensive exams within three years.
The course of study for the Master of Arts in English requires ten courses (3 credits each) in literary research methods, literary theory, literary movements and topics seminars. Students take one required core course in research and theory, which will provide students with the skills needed to do graduate-level work in reading and writing literary criticism. Students also complete eight additional courses; the courses in literary movements provide breadth in literary history; the topics courses provide depth in a particular significant area. Students may transfer up to two graduate courses from another accredited English graduate program, at the discretion of the English Graduate Council.
The program culminates in a comprehensive exam, which students will take at the end of their three years of coursework. A reading list will be provided. The exam may be taken only twice, and the student must pass it in order to earn the master's degree.
Program of Study
Curriculum
Required Core Courses
ENG-501 Research Methodologies of Literary Criticism (3)
ENG-508 Contemporary Literary Theory (3)
Literary Movements Courses
ENG-518 Medievalism (3)
ENG-519 Renaissance and Neoclassicism (3)
ENG-528 Romanticism (3)
ENG-529 Realism and Victorianism (3)
ENG-538 Modernism and Postmodernism (3)
ENG-547 New Woman Literature (3)
Topics Seminars and Other Courses
ENG-507 Pedagogy of Creative Writing (3)
ENG-511 Topics in Literature (3)
ENG-527 London Theatre Tour (3)
ENG-548 Classical World Literature (3)
ENG-549 Modern World Literature (3)
ENG-551 Literary Utopias (3)
ENG-558 Multicultural American Literature (3)
Course Descriptions
ENG-501 Research Methodologies Of Literary Criticism
ENG-507 The Pedagogy Of Creative Writing
ENG-508 Contemporary Literary Theory
ENG-518 Medievalism
ENG-519 Renaissance And Neoclassicism
ENG-527 London Theatre Tour
ENG-528 Romanticism
ENG-529 Realism And Victorianism
ENG-538 Modernism And Postmodernism
ENG 547 “New Woman” Literature
ENG-548 Classical World Literature
ENG-549 Modern World Literature
ENG-551 Literary Utopias
ENG-558 Multicultural American Literature