Department of English and Modern Languages
Chairperson: Michael Hobbs
Graduate Faculty: Richard Black, Wayne Chandler, Ashley Davis, Eric Dickey, Melissa Elston, John Gallaher, Robin Gallaher, Joseph Haughey, Michael Hobbs, Jeffrey Loomis, Ildiko Olasz, Beth Richards, Jenny Rytting, Richard Sonnenmoser, Christopher Strelluf
Department Telephone: (660) 562-1265
Program Description and Mission
The M.A. in English and M.S.Ed. in English programs are designed to reflect the breadth and depth of the field. Most classes are designated by broad umbrella topics with specific changes in content each trimester, so that the classes may be retaken. The flexible content of the classes offers students both the variety of texts and topics and the intensity of concentration that are appropriate to advanced students. It also allows the flexibility to incorporate current theories and trends into the curriculum.
The 500-level literature courses are designated by the traditional geographical, historical and genre boundaries. These courses require that students become proficient at reading, writing and researching literary texts from a variety of times and places. The Advanced Creative Writing umbrella course is offered with changing emphasis and genre.
The 600-level seminar classes are organized conceptually rather than by historical or geographic boundaries, requiring advanced students to focus on issues of genre, on particular literary themes or theories, or on the close study of specific figures and groups. These provide concentrated study at the Master’s level and good preparation for more advanced study, if students choose to pursue it.
In addition to literary study and creative writing, the department offers courses that focus on language theory and/or writing pedagogy. Pedagogy classes offer both theoretical study and guided practical experience in teaching college composition.
Portfolio Assessment
Early in the penultimate trimester of the English M.A. or M.S.Ed. program, the student will elect a group of three faculty members to serve as an advisory and assessment committee, designating one of them to serve as chair. During or before the final trimester, the degree candidate will submit the portfolio to the committee for approval. Once the portfolio contents are approved, the committee chair will schedule a date for the oral defense of the portfolio. A failing portfolio may be revised and resubmitted one time only.
Program Admission Requirements
Admission requirements are:
- Compliance with all of the eligibility requirements as set forth in this catalog
- Acceptance to graduate study by the Dean of the Graduate School
- Completion of a four-year undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university with an undergraduate grade point average of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale.
- Minimum scores in at least the 50th percentile on the Verbal and Analytical Writing portions of the Graduate Record Exam.
Applicants who do not meet the minimum GPA or the minimum GRE test score requirements may be accepted on the condition that they maintain a 3.00 GPA for the first nine hours of graduate study.
Applicants who do not major or minor in English as undergraduates will be required to enroll in at least one of four undergraduate surveys of English or American literature and to pass the class with a minimum grade of “C”.