Mar 28, 2024  
2015-2016 Graduate Catalog 
    
2015-2016 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

English Literature, MA


Master of Arts English (Literature)

 The MA in English (literature) offers a rigorous, individualized program of advanced study of literature in English. Students choose from an array of courses and select a thesis/project or exam option. Although allowed flexibility in their course of study, students are required to complete courses in British, American, and world literatures, as well as literary and critical theory. Students enter the program to further their understanding of literature, to strengthen their teaching qualifications, to broaden their writing experiences, or to prepare for doctoral work.
 

Admission Requirements
In addition to the university regulations concerning admission to graduate degree programs, students applying to the MA in English (literature) Program must also submit a writing sample of 5-10 pages directly to the English department. The writing sample must include the student’s name, birth date and student ID number for identification. The GRE general test is also required for applicants to the MA in English (literature) Program.
 

General Requirements
of the Program

Students will complete a thesis/project or comprehensive examination. Students in each option take a minimum of 48 credits. At least 30 credits must be at the graduate level in English. Up to 15 credits may be taken in approved courses at the 400 level in English. Up to 10 credits may be taken in approved courses offered outside the English department.
 

Thesis/Project Option
Students who choose the thesis/project option may complete a research thesis or a creative writing project. Students completing a creative writing project must take two 400-level creative writing courses, at least one in the genre of their proposed creative writing project. To prepare for and complete their thesis/project, students must take English 588 and 6 credits of English 700 with the chair of their thesis/project committee. In all cases, students will create in conjunction with a three-member faculty thesis/project committee an analytical introduction and a reading list for their thesis/project that includes both texts central to their thesis/project and texts that contextualize their thesis/project within their chosen field of study. After completing their thesis/project, students must pass an oral exam administered by the committee over the thesis/project introduction and reading list.
 

Exam Option
Students who choose the exam option create, in conjunction with a three-member faculty exam committee, an individualized reading list of the material covered in that student’s coursework, and must pass a comprehensive written examination developed by the committee over that material. To prepare for and complete this exam, they will take three credits of English 596, Individual Study, with the chair of their exam committee.

Complete one of the following two options:


Thesis /Project Option


  • Approved Electives (Includes two 400-level creative writing courses for creative writing projects) Credits: (15)

Exam Option


  • Approved Electives Credits: (20)

Total Credits: 48


English Department Graduate Information


College of Arts and Humanities
Ellensburg
Language and Literature Bldg., room 423
Mail Stop 7558
509-963-1546
Fax: 509-963-1561
www.cwu.edu/english
    See the website for how these programs may be used for educational and career purposes.

Faculty and Staff
Chair
George Drake, PhD

Professors
Laila Abdalla, PhD, English Medieval and Renaissance literature
Liahna Armstrong, PhD, American literature, popular culture, film
Patricia Callaghan, DA, rhetoric, world literature, English education
Toni Culjak, PhD, American, world and multicultural literature, film
Bobby Cummings, PhD, rhetoric, English education, computer composition
George Drake, PhD, British literature, literary theory
Loretta Gray, PhD, applied linguistics, composition, TESOL
Charles Xingzhong Li, PhD, linguistics, TESOL, linguistic approaches to literature
Teresa Martin, PhD, English education, women’s literature
Steven Olson, PhD, American literature, film
Paulus Pimomo, PhD, British literature, post-colonial studies
Christopher Schedler, PhD, American and multicultural literature
Christine Sutphin, PhD, Victorian literature, English novel, women’s literature
Katharine Whitcomb, MFA, creative writing

Associate Professor
Lisa Norris, MFA, creative writing

Assistant Professor
Joshua Welsh, PhD, rhetoric, scientific and technical communication

Emeritus Professors
Philip B. Garrison, MA, non-fiction, poetry writing, world, and Chicano literature
Karen Gookin, MA, general education, technical writing
Mark W. Halperin, MFA, poetry writing, folk literature, modern poetry
Virginia Mack, PhD, general education, Irish literature
Joseph Powell, MFA, creative writing, modern poetry
Gerald J. Stacy, PhD, English Renaissance literature
John L. Vifian, PhD 18th century literature, English novel

Senior Lecturers
Stephanie Dringenberg, MA
Ruthi Erdman, MA
Lila Harper, PhD
Karen Hull, MA
Marisa Humphrey, MA
Joseph Johnson, MA
Kevin Leaverton, MA
Robert Schnelle, MA

Lecturers
Melissa Brouwer, MA
Xavier Cavazos, MFA
Mindie Dieu, PhD
Shari Foster, MA
Eugene R. Hutchins, MA
Melissa Johnson, MA
Anne Joiner, MA (Des Moines)
Matthew Martinson, MA
Amanda Ross, MA
Travis Smith, MA

Staff
Vickie Winegar, secretary supervisor
Jo Richards, office assistant III



Department Information
The English department offers two options for the master of arts degree: master of arts, English (literature) and master of arts, English (TESOL - teaching English to speakers of other languages).

College of Arts and Humanities Information


Administration and Organization

Dean
Stacey Robertson, PhD (Hebeler Hall, room 202)

Interim Associate Dean
Katharine Whitcomb, PhD (Hebeler Hall, room 202)

Mail Stop 7518
509-963-1858
Fax: 509-963-1851
www.cwu.edu/arts/

Overview
The College of Arts and Humanities (CAH) is comprised of 12 departments and programs, which represent the disciplines of the arts and humanities. All of the departments and some of the programs of CAH offer undergraduate degrees as well as minors which supplement other degree programs. Five departments offer Master’s degrees. In addition to its role in providing degree programs, CAH is responsible for many of the course offerings of the general education programs as well as extensive service coursework for the entire university. The college also plays a major role in Central’s teacher education programs, offering bachelors and master’s degrees for students preparing to be secondary teachers and providing coursework in educational foundations and discipline-specific methods for teacher education majors. Building on a legacy of teaching excellence, college faculty are engaged in research, creative activities and service, involving students in the scholarship and practical applications of their various academic specializations, while making important contributions to the intellectual tradition and to society at large. There are no special requirements for admission to the college, but some departments have requirements that are described under the respective department and program headings in the catalog.

Mission
The College of Arts and Humanities advances knowledge, promotes intellectual inquiry, and cultivates creative endeavor among students and faculty through teaching informed by scholarship, creative activity, and public and professional involvement. We are committed to helping students develop intellectual and practical skills for responsible citizenship and the challenges of contemporary life in a global society. The college offers disciplinary and interdisciplinary programs of the highest quality, acts as a steward of the foundational disciplines upon which all inquiry is based, and serves as a cultural center for arts and humanities for the university and the region.

Vision
The College of Arts and Humanities will be recognized as a distinguished learning community known regionally for scholarly and creative excellence, innovative, and rigorous foundational liberal arts education, and undergraduate and graduate programs that are outstanding and unique in the state.

Departments and Programs
Africana and Black Studies Program: Bobby Cummings, PhD (Michaelsen Hall, room 104)
Art: Gregg Schlanger, MFA (Randall Hall, room 100)
Asia/Pacific Studies Program: Jeffrey Dippman, PhD (Language and Literature Bldg., room 337C)
Communication: Marji Morgan, PhD (Bouillon Hall, room 232A)
English: George Drake, PhD (Language and Literature Bldg., room 423)
Film and Video Studies Program: Liahna Armstrong, PhD  and Jon Ward (Bouillon Hall, room 225)
History: Jason Knirck, PhD (Language and Literature Bldg., room 100)
Latino and Latin American Studies Program: Stella Moreno, PhD (Language and Literature Bldg., room 102J)
Music: Todd Shiver, DMA (Jerilyn S. McIntyre Music Building, room 144)
Philosophy and Religious Studies: Matthew Altman, PhD (Language and Literature Bldg., room 337)
Theatre Arts: Scott Robinson, MFA (McConnell Hall, room 106)
World Languages: Laila Abdalla, PhD (Language and Literature Bldg., room 102)