Campuses:
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Twin Cities Campus
English M.A.English Language & Literature
College of Liberal Arts
Link to a list of faculty for this program.
Contact Information
Department of English Language and Literature, Lind Hall, 207 Church Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612-625-3882; fax: 612-624-8228).
Email:
gradeng@umn.edu
Website: https://cla.umn.edu/english
Along with the program-specific requirements listed below, please read the
General Information section of
this
website for requirements that apply to all major fields.
Over the past 20 years, the field of English studies has changed dramatically from a discipline concerned with studying the literary works produced by English speakers in Britain and the United States to encompass writings in English from around the globe. The concerns of literary scholars have broadened to include not only textual analyses but also cultural, social, political, and economic contexts. The field of literature itself now encompasses not only the traditional genres of poetry, prose (fiction and belles-lettres), and drama, but also extra-literary discourses: popular culture, film, television, legal documents, conduct books, and manifestos. The Department of English has been in the forefront of interdisciplinary projects, thanks to the efforts of a faculty committed to research in American studies, medieval studies, feminist studies, film studies, and cultural studies. At the same time, the department maintains the core concerns of the discipline—the traditional study of the literatures and languages in English—as well as develops writers for the present and future through the master of fine arts in creative writing degree. The department is engaged in two simultaneous projects: to preserve the core curriculum and to re-imagine its future shape.
The department offers a master of arts in English language and literature. The MA offers training in the areas of literary history, literary theory and interpretation, language, linguistics, rhetoric, and composition. Students in the MA can develop specific concentrations through consultation with the director of graduate studies.
Course requirements for the MA program are broadly defined, allowing the student to shape a personal program of study. The English program encourages and supports interdisciplinary work.
Program Delivery
Prerequisites for Admission
The preferred undergraduate GPA for admittance to the program
is 3.50.
Other requirements to be completed before admission:
A minimum of four courses in English, three of which must be at the upper-division level, is required for degree program admission. The courses should be widely distributed.
Special Application Requirements:
Required admission materials include three letters of recommendation; a short essay explaining scholarly, professional, and personal goals and reason(s) for choosing the University of Minnesota; and a writing sample, such as a course paper. Candidates for all degrees are admitted fall semester only; all materials must be received by December 1st.
International applicants must submit score(s) from one of the following tests:
Key to test
abbreviations
(TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB).
For an online application or for more information about graduate education admissions, see the
General Information section of this
website.
Program Requirements
Plan B: Plan B requires
24
major credits and
6
credits outside the major.
The final exam is oral.
A capstone project is required.
Capstone Project:The Plan B project is made up of three Plan B papers. Each is a tightly argued essay of about 5,000 words, usually a reworking of a paper done originally for a course.
This program may be completed with a minor.
Use of 4xxx courses toward program requirements is permitted under certain conditions with adviser approval.
Language Requirement: A reading knowledge of one language.
A minimum GPA of 3.00
is required for students to remain in good standing.
Required Course (3 credits)
Take the following course:
ENGL 5001 - Ph.D. Colloquium: Introduction to Literary Theory and Literary Studies in the Modern University
(3.0 cr)
Major Electives (21 credits)
Select two areas of emphasis to be defined in consultation with the director of graduate studies. One emphasis must comprise at least 12 credits and the other at least 9 credits, chosen in consultation with the advisor and director of graduate studies.
ENGL 5020 - Studies in Narrative
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 5040 - Theories of Film
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 5090 - Readings in Special Subjects
(1.0-4.0 cr)
ENGL 5110 - Medieval Literatures and Cultures: Intro to Medieval Studies
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 5121 - Readings in Early Modern Literature and Culture
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 5140 - Readings in 18th Century Literature and Culture
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 5150 - Readings in 19th-Century Literature and Culture
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 5170 - Readings in 20th-Century Literature and Culture
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 5300 - Readings in American Minority Literature
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 5501 - Origins of Cultural Studies
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 5510 - Readings in Criticism and Theory
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 5593 - The African-American Novel
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 5701 - Great River Review
(4.0 cr)
ENGL 5790 - Topics in Rhetoric, Composition, and Language
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 5805 - Writing for Publication
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 5992 - Directed Readings, Study, or Research
(1.0-3.0 cr)
ENGL 8090 - Seminar in Special Subjects
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 8110 - Seminar: Medieval Literature and Culture
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 8120 - Seminar in Early Modern Literature and Culture
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 8140 - Seminar in 18th Century Literature and Culture
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 8150 - Seminar in Shakespeare
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 8170 - Seminar in 19th-Century British Literature and Culture
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 8180 - Seminar in 20th-Century British Literature and Culture
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 8190 - Seminar in 20th-Century Anglophone Literatures and Cultures
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 8200 - Seminar in American Literature
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 8290 - Topics, Figures, and Themes in American Literature
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 8300 - Seminar in American Minority Literature
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 8400 - Seminar in Post-Colonial Literature, Culture, and Theory
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 8510 - Studies in Criticism and Theory
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 8520 - Seminar: Cultural Theory and Practice
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 8530 - Seminar in Feminist Criticism
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 8600 - Seminar in Language, Rhetoric, Literacy, and Composition
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 8610 - Seminar in Language and Discourse Studies
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 8992 - Directed Reading in Language, Literature, Culture, Rhetoric, Composition, or Creative Writing
(1.0-9.0 cr)
Outside Coursework (6 credits)
Select 6 credits outside the major from the following, in consultation with the director of graduate studies:
AFRO 5866 - The Civil Rights and Black Power Movement, 1954-1984
(3.0 cr)
AMIN 5402 - American Indians and the Cinema
[AH, DSJ]
(3.0 cr)
CI 5404 - Multicultural Literature for Children and Adolescents
(3.0 cr)
CI 8400 - Special Topics in Children's and Young Adult Literature
(1.0-6.0 cr)
GER 5xxx
GWSS 8260 - Seminar: Race, Representation and Resistance
(3.0 cr)
GWSS 8270 - Seminar: Theories of Body
(3.0 cr)
HIST 5xxx
SCAN 5xxx
TH 5xxx
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Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 6.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 1.0 -4.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | EngL 3110/EngL 5110 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | EngL 3300/EngL 3300H/EngL 5300 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CL 5401/CSDS 5401/CSCL 5401/En |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Afro 3593/Afro 5593/EngL 3593/ |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | EngL 4701/ 5701/EngW 5701 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 1.0 -3.0 [max 45.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 -9.0 [max 15.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Afro 3866/Afro 5866/Hist 3856 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | AmIn 3402/AmIn 5402 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 1.0 -6.0 [max 6.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 6.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 6.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |