English

Phone: 703-993-1160
Web: gmu.edu/departments/English

Faculty
Course Work
Related Courses
Undergraduate Programs
Graduate Programs

Faculty

Professors: Bausch, Baxter, L. Brown, Cheuse, D'Andrea (Robinson Professor), Forche, Foster, Goodwin, Hodges, Irvine, Jann, Kelley, Klappert, Lathbury, Nadeau, Pankey, Thaiss
Associate professors: Albanese, Burr, Clark, Foreman, Fuchs, Gallehr, Henry, Holisky, Irving, Jones, Kaplan (chair), Kaufmann, Keaney, Kuebrich, Lowry, Matz, McKenzie, Radner, Rutledge, Tichy, Trafton, Weinberger, Yocom
Assistant professors: Amireh, Eisner, Harvey, Hawk, Reid, Roan, Sample, Shutika, Yadav, Zawacki
Term assistant professors: Anderson, Atkinson, Behmand, Berg, Bondurant, DeNys, Green, King, Koch, Melito, Michals, Miller, Nanian, Nichols, Reding, Samuelian, Saunders, Scott, Taciuch, Thompson, Vogt, Williams, Young
Term instructors: Beach, Matthews, Patterson, Raffel
Adjunct assistant professors: Callanan, Carter, DeFazio, Dreisonstok, Fischer, Fowler, Guss, Humbertson, Jacobs, Jilka, Kuhta, Moody, Pabich, Redondo, Rubin, Wright
Adjunct instructors: Casal, Cooper, Grogan-Barone, Gulshan, Holcomb, Jackson, Johnston, Leeker, McKinney, Scolaro, Surette, Whitlock

Course Work

The English Department offers all course work designated CL, ENGL, and LING in the Course Descriptions chapter of this catalog.

Related Courses

Courses offered by other departments are occasionally cross-listed with English and given the ENGL course designator; such courses may be counted toward the English major.

Undergraduate Programs

English, BA

In addition to the university-wide general education requirements and college-level requirements for the BA degree in CAS, English majors must complete 30 credits (nine courses) in English beyond ENGL 302 with a minimum GPA of 2.00. Students must achieve a GPA of 2.00 in the courses counting toward the English major. The 30 credits are distributed as follows:

6 credits of ENGL 325 Dimensions of Writing and Literature, with a minimum grade of C (2.00).

12 credits in one of the following concentrations (see the English Department for requirements for each concentration):

Contemporary world literature
Creative writing
Cultural studies
Development of modern literature
Drama
Fiction
Film and media studies
Folklore, mythology, and literature
Linguistics
Medieval and renaissance literature
Nonfiction writing and editing
Poetry

12 credits of core courses, distributed as follows:

3 credits in literature before 1800 (may simultaneously satisfy a concentration), satisfied by ENGL 335/336, 400, 401, 402, 404, 405, 431, 440, 443, 450, 471, 472, and 474; and by special topics courses as approved by the department.
3 credits in literature before 1915 (may simultaneously satisfy a concentration), satisfied by courses listed above; by ENGL 368, 370, 406, 407, 423, 425, 436, 452, and 453; and by special topics courses as approved by the department.
3 credits in minority, folkloric, or popular literary and cultural traditions (may simultaneously satisfy a concentration), satisfied by ENGL 333, 334, 349, 350, 368, 369, 370, 371, 372, 439, 491, 492, and 493; and by special topics courses as approved by the department.
3 credits of an elective above ENGL 302

Students should consult with an English Department advisor to learn about ways in which the university-wide general education requirements can also satisfy college-level requirements or the English major. Graduating majors participate in assessment of the degree by preparing a dossier of writing completed in their upper-level courses.

Comparative Literature Emphasis

The Departments of English and Modern and Classical Languages offer a BA in English with an emphasis in compar-ative literature. This program combines the study of literature in English with the study of one or more foreign literatures and with cross-cultural literary study. It requires 10 courses above ENGL 302, distributed as follows:

One introductory course in literary criticism: ENGL 325, FREN 381, or SPAN 311, as appropriate for the student's focus
CL 300 Introduction to Comparative Literature (if offered), or an approved alternative
Two courses in English or American literature
Two courses in a literature other than English or American, either in translation or, for those pursuing foreign language study, with selected readings in the original language
Three courses designated as comparative or world literature courses by the comparative literature committee, and generally selected in consultation with the advisor every semester. Examples are ENGL 350, 431, 436, 437, and 439; various 300-level CLAS courses; FRLN 330 courses; and appropriate special topics courses in ENGL, FREN, GERM, RUSS, SPAN, or other language.
CL 514 Theories of Comparative Literature

Students should consult with their advisor to design a program of study that best suits their particular set of interests and goals.

Writing-Intensive Requirement

The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated as writing intensive in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in English fulfill this requirement by successfully completing ENGL 325.

English in a Double Major

Students interested in designing a double major are encouraged to discuss their plans with their English advisor and the director of undergraduate programs in English.

Honors Program in English

To qualify for graduation with honors, students must complete the honors course sequence, receive a 3.50 GPA in all courses counted toward the major (including honors courses), and have the written work judged of distinguished quality by a faculty committee. Honors courses may simultaneously satisfy concentration and distribution requirements in the major.

Students may satisfy the honors course sequence in several ways:

Students may take two sections of ENGL 414 Honors Seminar and submit the work from both courses for consideration.
Students may take one section of ENGL 414 Honors Seminar and ENGL 415 Honors Thesis Writing Seminar in conjunction with another advanced literature or cultural studies course, submitting only the honors thesis for consideration.
Students in the creative writing concentration may take one section of ENGL 414 Honors Seminar and write a creative honors thesis in ENGL 416 Honors Independent Study, submitting only the honors thesis for consideration.
Students in the nonfiction concentration may take ENGL 416 Honors Independent Study in conjunction with an advanced course in nonfiction writing, and complete a nonfiction thesis as part of ENGL 415 Honors Thesis Writing Seminar, submitting only the honors thesis for consideration.

See the English Department for application procedures and other information.

Accelerated Master's Program in Linguistics

Qualified undergraduates may be admitted to an accelerated master's program and obtain both a BA and an MA in English: linguistics. Students admitted to this program may take selected graduate courses during their senior year, and up to 6 credits of graduate work may be used in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the undergraduate degree. Students admitted into the accelerated master's program must then complete an additional 24 credits to receive the master's degree. All other master's degree requirements must be met.

Academically strong undergraduates may apply for acceptance to the accelerated program after completing 90 credits, and enroll in graduate courses when they have completed LING 326. Two letters of recommendation are required.

Minor in English

A minor in English provides students with a sound introduction to the field of literary studies, and allows them to select a set of courses for the individual interests. Prerequisites for the minor in English are the 6-credit, university-wide general education requirement in literature, and 18 credits above ENGL 302, with a minimum GPA of 2.00. Students must take ENGL 325 (6 credits), three courses in a concentration listed under the English major or three courses that satisfy the core requirements for the major (9 credits), and an elective (3 credits).

The minor must be approved by the English Department undergraduate advisor before graduation. For policies governing all minors, see the Academic Policies chapter of this catalog.

Interdisciplinary Minors

The department coordinates or co-coordinates the interdisciplinary minors in film and media studies, folklore and mythology, and linguistics. See the Interdisciplinary Minors section of this chapter for more information.

Certificate in the Teaching of English as a Second Language (TESL)

The TESL certificate prepares undergraduate students to teach non-native speakers of English in the United States or abroad. It is an 18-credit program that combines linguistic theory, second-language acquisition theory, and ESL teaching methods.

Admission Requirements

Undergraduates interested in the TESL certificate must complete 3 credits of LING course work in the English Department, and apply before they have completed 6 credits of LING course work. Students must apply to the English Department by filling out a Change/Declaration of Academic Program form. This request must be approved by one of the linguistics faculty members. Applicants must also submit a 1,000-word writing sample, a one-page goals statement, and a recent Mason transcript.

The TESL certificate may be pursued concurrently with any undergraduate major. With the approval of an advisor in the major, some courses taken as part of the TESL certificate may apply toward the undergraduate major. Courses taken as part of the TESL certificate and also used to complete the requirements for an undergraduate degree cannot be applied at a later time toward any graduate certificate or degree.

Certificate Requirements

Certificate candidates must complete the following LING courses:

LING 326, 521, 522, 523, 582
One elective (A list of approved electives is available from the English Department.)

Undergraduates in Graduate Courses

The English Department permits qualified undergraduates to enroll in its graduate courses numbered 500 through 599, either for undergraduate or for reserve graduate credit. See the department for details on how to enroll.

Teacher Licensure

Students who wish to become teachers should consult the CEHD chapter and attend an information session early in their undergraduate career. For more information, call 703-993-2892, e-mail gseadmit@gmu.edu, or go to gse.gmu.edu.

Writing Center

The Writing Center offers one-on-one conferencing during all stages of the writing process. Conferences are available free of charge to all Mason students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Writing Center tutors, who are graduate teaching assistants in the English Department, have been trained in current methods of composition instruction. They can help clients overcome writing anxiety, develop organizational and revision skills, and learn useful strategies for editing their own work. Appointments should be made by calling 703-993-1200, or by stopping by the center at Robinson Hall, Room A116, to schedule a session.

Northern Virginia Writing Project

The Northern Virginia Writing Project (NVWP) is an in-service organization dedicated to improving the writing of Northern Virginia students, kindergarten through university level. Each summer, selected teachers attend an intensive five-week institute where they demonstrate successful teaching techniques, study research on the teaching of writing, and write. After the summer institute, these teachers return to their schools, colleges, and universities to lead workshops and in-service seminars for other teachers. NVWP is an affiliate of the National Writing Project and one of the seven sites of the Virginia Writing Project.

Graduate Programs

The Department of English offers graduate programs in the study and practice of writing and literature, as well as course work in related fields such as folklore, film, and cultural studies. The MA in English (30 credits) provides concentrations in literature (including an optional concentration in cultural studies), professional writing and editing, the teaching of writing and literature, and linguistics. The department also offers a terminal degree, the MFA in creative writing (48 credits), with concentrations in fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. In addition, the department offers a certificate in the teaching of English as a second language (TESL, 18 credits) and courses as part of the PhD in education.

English, MA

Admission Requirements

In addition to fulfilling admission requirements for graduate study, applicants must submit one copy of a 1,000-word analytical writing sample, and two letters of recommendation. For those applying in literature, professional writing and editing, and the teaching of writing and literature, the writing sample should be an interpretive paper on a literary text. In addition to the writing sample, applicants must submit a goals statement of no more than 750 words. Applicants for the concentration in professional writing and editing must also submit two copies of a 10- to 15-page portfolio of their nonfiction work such as a technical or business report, essay, term paper, editing project, or any other material reflecting interests and skills in nonfiction writing.

Applicants may submit scores on the GRE when they believe those scores will lead to a clearer presentation of their qualifications. Those with undergraduate majors in disciplines other than English are encouraged to apply, but they may be required to make up deficiencies before entering the program.

Degree Requirements

Students must successfully complete 30 credits in graduate English courses. With the approval of the department, up to 6 graduate credits in courses in related disciplines may be substituted for 6 credits in English. One of the concentrations described below must be completed. Students must also demonstrate foreign language proficiency by course work equivalent to Mason's foreign language 202 or 209, or by passing a translation test administered by the Department of English.

Concentration in Literature

ENGL 701, usually in the first semester of study
3 credits in critical theory chosen from ENGL 514, 551, 675, 676, or 705
15 credits of literature
9 credits of electives
Thesis optional: 6 credits of thesis may substitute for 6 credits of literature

Foreign language proficiency as described in degree requirements above

Track in Cultural Studies

English students planning to apply to the PhD in cultural studies program should pursue the literature concentration of the MA in English and make the following modifications to the above requirements:

6 credits in critical theory, 3 credits of which must be filled by ENGL 676

3 credits in CULT 802

Concentration in Professional Writing and Editing

3 credits in ENGL 501 Introduction to Professional Writing and Editing
3 credits in research methodology, either ENGL 506 or ENGL 701
12 credits in professional courses and nonfiction writing courses
9 credits chosen from designated courses in rhetorical studies, literature and literary theory, linguistics, cultural studies, film and media studies, and folklore
3 credits in ENGL 799 Thesis

Foreign language proficiency as described in the degree requirements above

Concentration in the Teaching of Writing and Literature

ENGL 701 (usually in the first semester of study)
6 credits in writing courses
6 credits of literature
3 credits in linguistics
3 credits in the teaching of writing, and 3 credits in the teaching of literature
3 credits in composition theory: either ENGL 697 or an appropriate section of ENGL 611
3 credits of electives from literature or writing. A thesis may be arranged through the advisor and director of graduate studies in English; this option requires 6 credits, and expands the degree program from 30 to 33 hours

Foreign language proficiency as described in the degree requirements above

Concentration in Linguistics

The linguistics track of the English MA combines courses in linguistics with courses in some related area of language study, such as teaching English as a second language, bilingual education, or foreign language teaching. The course of study is designed to prepare students for teaching in one of these fields, or for doctoral work. The certificate in teaching English as a second language can be earned concurrently. Students pursuing the linguistics track must successfully complete 30 graduate credits, distributed as follows, and demonstrate foreign language proficiency (see above).

Core courses (18 credits): LING 690, 691, 692, 785, 786, 787

Graduate electives (12 credits), chosen in consultation with an advisor, which reflect one or more areas of language study. Electives can be in such areas as linguistics, the teaching of reading or writing, literary criticism, bilingual education, or a foreign language, and may include 6 credits of thesis.

Creative Writing, MFA

This program has three concentrations: poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Students should apply to only one concentration, although a student turned down by one concentration may subsequently apply to another, or to that same concentration in a subsequent year.

Students interested in taking individual courses or in applying at a future date to the MFA program are welcome to apply to take classes as extended studies students. However, extended studies enrollments are allowed only with the permission of the instructor. Regular applicants to the MFA program who are denied admission may not take courses through extended studies. Students interested in taking a course through extended studies should submit a brief letter of introduction and a writing sample to the professor at least one week before the start of classes.

Admission Requirements

In addition to fulfilling admission requirements for graduate study, applicants must submit two letters of recommendation, one copy of a 1,000-word analytical writing sample, and a portfolio of original work. The analytical writing sample may be a paper written for an undergraduate class, or any other work that gives evidence of advanced writing skills. For those applying to the MFA concentration in fiction, the portfolio should consist of up to 50 pages of fiction; at least two complete short stories are preferred. For those applying to the poetry concentration, the portfolio should consist of up to 20 pages of poetry. For those applying to the nonfiction concentration, the portfolio should consist of up to 50 pages of creative nonfiction.

Degree Requirements

Students must successfully complete 48 graduate credits, including the following:

12 credits in literature
12 to 18 credits of writing seminars in one genre, including Form of Poetry, Form of Fiction, or Forms of Nonfiction, and at least 3 credits of Advanced Workshop (ENGL 750, 751, or 752).
3 to 9 credits in other genres
6 credits in thesis. Only with permission of the thesis committee may thesis credits be taken in the summer term.
Up to 9 credits of electives chosen in consultation with the writing program faculty
ENGL 699 Workshop in English (1 credit)

For MFA students in the nonfiction concentration, 3 credits of ENGL 506. (Students should enroll in ENGL 506 the first semester it is offered after they enter the program.)

With the approval of MFA faculty and the program director, the number of credits required for an MFA may be reduced by a maximum of 18 credits on the basis of graduate course work before admission.

Students in poetry must pass a written MFA exam based on the authors they have chosen. The authors are selected in collaboration with the writing faculty any time after completing 12 credits of course work and before completing 32 credits. The exam must be completed at least one semester before the student registers for the final 3 credits of thesis.

Students in fiction and nonfiction must pass an MFA exam or complete an MFA project. Students who elect to take the MFA exam select, after the completion of 18 credits and with the approval of their faculty advisors, a list of authors and an area of emphasis (for example, the European novel). Students who elect to complete an MFA project (such as editing an anthology) must carry out the project under the direction of a faculty member, and may register for ENGL 798 to do this requirement. ENGL 798 may not be used to fulfill the literature requirement or as thesis preparation. The exam or project must be completed at least one semester before the student registers for the final 3 credits of thesis.

Students who have not completed the equivalent of Mason's foreign language 202 or 209 must do so or demonstrate proficiency by passing a translation test administered by the English Department.

Certificate in Teaching English as Second Language (TESL)

The TESL certificate prepares students to teach non-native speakers of English in the United States or abroad. Certificate courses fulfill, in part, requirements for an endorsement in English as a second language to the Virginia state teaching credential. Students who want to earn this endorsement should consult with an advisor.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must be admitted to graduate study, or approved for graduate course enrollment through extended studies. Students who initially enroll in the certificate program through extended studies must apply for admission to the graduate program no later than the second semester of study. When formal admission to graduate study is sought, applicants must submit one copy of an analytical writing sample of approximately 1,000 words, a goals statement, and two letters of recommendation.

The certificate may be pursued concurrently with any of several degree programs offered through the Graduate School of Education, the English Department, and the Modern and Classical Languages Department. Part of the course work toward the certificate may be applied toward degrees in those departments. Students enrolled in another graduate degree program who want to work for the certificate must apply to the English Department for admission into the certificate program.

Certificate Requirements

Students must complete the following series of graduate English courses, earning a grade of 3.00 or better in each.

LING 520, 521, 522, 523, and 582 (LING 507 may be substituted for LING 521.)
One elective

Certificate in Professional Writing and Editing

This certificate provides graduate students with course work in nonfiction writing in specific genres, current writing practices and theories of writing in organizational settings, research methods in professional writing, and nonfiction literature.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must submit an analytical writing sample of at least 1,000 words, a goals statement, two letters of recommendation, and a portfolio of writing or editing. Applicants must be currently admitted to a graduate degree program or approved for enrollment through extended studies. Because only 6 credits earned as an extended studies student may be applied to the certificate, students who initially take courses through extended studies should apply for admission before completing 6 credits of course work. Completion of course work is not in itself a guarantee of admission to the certificate program.

The certificate may be pursued concurrently with any of several degree programs in English and elsewhere in CAS. Part of the course work toward the certificate may be applied to those degrees.

Certificate Requirements

Certificate candidates must complete 18 credits of English graduate courses, earning a grade of B– or better in each, distributed as follows:

One course in editing or publications writing: ENGL 503 or 505
One course in writing in organizational settings: ENGL 504 or 612
One course in nonfiction writing: ENGL 565, 611, 613, or 616
One course in nonfiction literature. Each year, the English Department designates sections that fulfill this requirement from among ENGL 513, 660, and 685.
One course in research: ENGL 506 or 701
One elective chosen from any of the courses listed in the above bullets.