Graduate Catalog 2012-2013

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Master of Arts in English (MA)

Program Coordinator: Professor Maryann Feola

Building 2S, Room 208

Email: maryann.feola@csi.cuny.edu

Email: englishmasters@csi.cuny.edu

Telephone: 718.982.3666

The program is designed for students who wish to enlarge their knowledge of English and U.S. literature, to improve their critical skills in literature and in writing, and/or to improve their skills as high school teachers of English. It is of interest to recent graduates, to students who wish to resume their education, and to teachers with initial certification who wish to deepen their knowledge of English as they complete the master’s degree.

Two options are offered, one with a concentration in literature and one with a concentration in rhetoric. Students electing the literature option will take at least five courses in literature (ENG 700-level courses); students electing the rhetoric option may take three courses in linguistics or writing (ENG 600-level courses).

For students who are not pursuing teacher certification, 30 credits are required for the degree. For students with initial certification desiring professional certification as high school teachers of English, 34 credits are required for the degree.

English Admission Requirements

1. Bachelor of Arts degree from an accredited institution
2. At least 32 credits of undergraduate courses in English (excluding freshman composition)
3. A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (B) or a grade point average of 3.0 (B) in English courses

The Graduate Record Examination is not required for admission.

Students may be admitted conditionally with the approval of the coordinator of the English MA program; their admission will be reviewed after completion of two courses.

English Degree Requirements

1. A grade point average of 3.0 (B) in all coursework
2. A grade of at least Pass (P) on two approved master’s papers and master’s examination

   Of the 30 credits required for students who are not pursuing professional certification as high school teachers of English, students can pursue the Literature or Rhetoric Option.

   Literature Option: seven courses (28 credits), including at least five courses in literature (700-level courses) that must include at least one course in English literature before 1800.

   Rhetoric Option: seven courses (28 credits), including three in linguistics, writing, or the teaching of writing (6XX). Four courses in literature (7XX), at least one course in English literature before 1800.

   All students must enroll in ENG 892 (2 credits), which concludes with the exit examination.

3. Of the 34 credits required for students who have received initial certification and who desire professional certification as high school teachers of English, seven four-credit courses are chosen from either the Literature or Rhetoric options above, four credits are taken in the Department of Education, and two credits of independent study (ENG 892) are awarded after passing the master’s examination.

   Four credits taken in the Department of Education:

   EDS 692 Advanced Methods of Teaching Secondary School English (3 credits)

   Independent Study in Education (1 credit)

   Students must also take eight credits of English courses linking content and pedagogy
   chosen from the following:

   ENG 686 The Teaching of Writing (4 credits);

   ENG 630 Writing Across the Curriculum (4 credits);

   ENG 682 Modern Grammar (4 credits);

   ENG 683 Sociolinguistics (4 credits);

   ENG 687 Models of Second Language Acquisition (4 credits).

4. Two master’s papers

   The two master’s papers will be course papers. Candidates will choose them in consultation with their instructors and, upon approval, submit them to the coordinator of the English MA Program. The papers will be read by two faculty members and graded Honors, Pass, or Fail. The first paper is to be submitted before enrolling in the fourth course and the second paper before enrolling in the seventh course. Both papers must pass before a student takes the master’s examination. A student may register for ENG 892 after paper one passes and paper two has been accepted.

5. Master’s examination (2 credits)

   The master’s examination is intended to provide candidates an opportunity for further reading and independent study and to test their ability to read, interpret, and synthesize. They will select three of their courses for this examination and will be expected to answer questions with reference to works both assigned in those courses and on the supplementary reading lists provided by their instructors. Candidates with the Rhetoric Option may elect linguistics or writing for two of their three courses.

   The master’s examination is a three-hour written examination and is graded Honors, Pass, or Fail. Credit for two hours of independent study will be awarded upon passing.

6. Honors

   To earn the degree with Honors, a grade point average of 3.5 and grades of Honors on the master’s examination and at least one of the master’s papers are required.

The MA in English at CSI is not a research-oriented degree.

There is no foreign language requirement for the MA in English at CSI. Students planning to continue graduate studies beyond the MA, however, should take note that most doctoral programs in English require a reading knowledge of at least two foreign languages, and The City University Graduate Center requires three, one ancient (Greek or Latin) and two modern.

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