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Program Mission Statement

Focusing on the analysis and appreciation of literary texts, ÀÏ°ÄÃÅ×ÊÁÏ's Master's Program in English provides students the opportunity to develop their analytic, interpretative, and writing abilities; offers English teachers the chance to explore new pedagogical strategies; gives aspiring writers opportunities to develop; and helps prepare students who intend to pursue the Ph.D. in English.

We expect students

• To know literary traditions; literary genres, modes, and types; and methodological and theoretical approaches to literature and culture
• To read critically: to inventory the formal elements of a text, summarize plot and story, and identify motifs and ideas; and to develop an interpretive analysis of character, content, form, and interrelationships between thematic, rhetorical, and contextual elements
• To research responsibly: to make use of bibliographical resources (library-based and electronic); to negotiate critical and theoretical perspectives; and to integrate scholarly resources into the students' own critical approaches
• To write well: to use conventions of critical and scholarly writing; to engage with published knowledge about a literary text or field through writing; and to write clearly and felicitously.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able:

Knowledge of Literature of Discipline (req)

Sees (makes) connections across disciplines, perspectives

1. Independently creates wholes out of multiple parts (synthesizes) or draws conclusions by combining examples, facts, or theories from more than one field of study or perspective.
2. Independently connects examples, facts, or theories from more than one field of study or perspective.
3. When prompted, connects examples, facts, or theories from more than one field of study or perspective.
4. When prompted, presents examples, facts, or theories from more than one field of study or perspective.

Independent Research/ Professional Practice (req)

Adapts and applies skills, abilities, theories, or methodologies gained in one situation to new situations.

1. Adapts and applies, independently, skills, abilities, theories, or methodologies gained in one situation to new situations to solve difficult problems or explore complex issues in original ways.
2. Adapts and applies skills, abilities, theories, or methodologies gained in one situation to new situations to solve problems or explore issues.
3. Uses skills, abilities, theories, or methodologies gained in one situation in a new situation to contribute to understanding of problems or issues.
4. Uses, in a basic way, skills, abilities, theories, or methodologies gained in one situation in a new situation.

Assessment Approaches

The Program will use both in-class assignment-based and portfolio evaluation. Instructors and/or the Graduate Coordinator will use rubrics to evaluate specific outcomes that are tied to assignments within period based courses in American and British literature for students who are graduating within that assessment year. Additionally, some learning outcomes will be assessed by the Graduate Coordinator through rubrics that are linked to essays that each graduate student submits during the year of graduation.