Learning Objectives

The program offers traditional scholarship in English and American literatures, world literatures written in English, theory, composition and cultural studies.  It combines these areas of inquiry with a particular emphasis on pedagogical training and research to prepare candidates for teaching these areas in four- and two-year colleges as well as secondary schools.  The program combines these areas of inquiry, allowing candidates to emphasize pedagogical training and research to prepare them for teaching in two- and four-year colleges as well as in secondary schools. 

The program will prepare graduates to:

Demonstrate a highly developed knowledge of leading theoretical and critical methodologies

  • Execute original analyses of various theoretical and critical concepts, schools in formal papers and oral presentations.
  • Apply theory to literary and cultural texts in formal papers and oral presentations.
  • Conduct research in composition theory.

Demonstrate development of a personal teaching philosophy that recognizes the history and current state of the profession ofpteaching English.

  • Conduct research in the history of English studies.
  • Present a teaching philosophy in the context of the history of the Profession in formal papers and oral presentations.
  • Develop a portfolio of syllabi, assignments, presentations, and teaching plans.

Demonstrate a general knowledge of the historical contexts for the study of literary and cultural texts.

  • Conduct original research regarding the historical conditions of literary texts and present the findings in formal papers and oral presentations.
  • Apply theoretical and critical methods to issues of literary history and present the findings in formal papers and oral presentations.
  • Evaluate texts by means of historically grounded aesthetic standards.

Articulate and develop relevant contexts for the study of literature beyond historical contexts and periods.

  • Demonstrate awareness of the relation of American and English literature to globalization and material culture.
  • Demonstrate the relation of literary texts and methods to those of other disciplines.
  • Produce creative work that illustrates an appreciation of the process of writing literary texts.

Demonstrate an expertise in three areas of English Studies.

  • Compile comprehensive and up-to-date reading lists of primary, as well as secondary and tertiary materials.
  • Write answers to a range of questions in comprehensive exams.

Demonstrate professional expertise as a researcher.

  • Contribute to the profession of English Studies by conducting original research and scholarship in a book-length dissertation.