Graduate Program
MASTER OF ARTS
Concentration in Poetry and Poetics
The M.A. in English with a concentration in Poetry and Poetics
allows students to pursue a focused study of poetry and poetics
emphasizing theoretical approaches within an overall context
of historical survey. Students in this concentration take an
annual “Topics in Poetics” course and choose from
a variety of other course offerings in British and American poetry.
The intensive study of a single topic is afforded through the
thesis option.
Poetry and Poetics faculty include Paul Bauschatz (Medieval,
Linguistics), Laura Cowan (Modernism), Tony Brinkley (Romanticism,
Critical Theory), Steve Evans (Poetry and Poetics, Critical Theory),
Benjamin Friedlander (Poetry and Poetics, American Literature),
Burt Hatlen (Renaissance, Modernism), Linne Mooney (Medieval)
and Ken Norris (Canadian Poetry). Visiting Professor Robert Creeley
co-teaches an intensive seminar in the fall semester.
The English Department's New Writing Series is an integral part
of the concentration and offers a lively schedule of readings
throughout the year. Recent visitors have included Amiri Baraka,
Steve Benson, Bill Berkson, Lee Ann Brown, Jeff Clark, Clark
Coolidge, Jayne Cortez, Robert Creeley, Kevin Davies, Rachel
Blau DuPlessis, Theodore Enslin, Elaine Equi, Rob Fitterman,
Kathleen Fraser, Peter Gizzi, Damon Krukowski, Joanne Kyger,
Gary Lawless, Bernadette Mayer, Laura Moriarty, Eileen Myles,
Alice Notley, Julie Patton, Pat Ranzoni, Rod Smith, Brian Kim
Stefans, Lorenzo Thomas and Jay Wright. Complete schedules of
previous years' New Writing Series can be found here.
Along with their course work, students have an opportunity to
contribute editorial assistance to the publications of the National
Poetry Foundation.
Concentration Requirements
Admission Requirements
Applicants normally are expected to have at least a 3.0 grade-point
average in English from an accredited institution and a verbal
score of 600 or more on the Graduate Record Examination. The
GRE Subject Test in Literature in English is recommended but
not required. Candidates who did not major in English as undergraduates
are considered for admission, but may be required to complete
up to 39 hours for the degree, depending on the level of the
preparation or GRE Subject Test score. Applicatns should submit
a 10-20 page writing sample of literary analysis. those wishing
to be considered for Teaching Assistantships should also include
a statement about their philosophy of teaching and their teaching
experience, if any. Intermediate proficiency in a second language
is a requirement for admission that may, at the discretion of
the admissions committee, be completed within the first year
of study.
Degree Requirements
The M.A. in English with a Concentration in Poetry and Poetics
is a 30-hour degree. Students take 12 hours in poetry and/or
theory courses and 18 hours in other courses. Graduate Teaching
Assistants in the department take ENG 693: Teaching College Composition
during their first semester of teaching. A six-hour comprehensive
written examination, graded "Pass" or "Fail," is
required of all M.A. candidates. Based on the department's M.A.
Reading List, the written examination is offered twice each year,
in spring and fall. All candidates do a one-hour defense of their
thesis.
For financial aid information, please click here.
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