Students beginning the MA program in English in spring, 2011 or fall, 2011 will satisfy the requirements listed below. Students currently in the program may switch to this program or complete their requirements under the (old) program listed below. For further information, please contact Dr. Marlin Blaine, Director of Graduate Studies

The New MA in English

To be inaugurated spring 2011

The M.A. Portfolio and Project in English: Spring 2011
Beginning in spring 2011, the English Department will inaugurate the following changes to our current requirements for the M.A. program in English.  First, the department proposes the regrouping of course requirements into distributional categories that better reflect the various focuses of the profession, particularly the emphases on composition and rhetoric, creative writing, and cultural studies and theory.  The number of units required for the MA will remain at 30.  Second, the new program eliminates the M.A. exam and replaces it with a project portfolio. The project writing course will also oversee the collection of materials for each student’s portfolio.  Because of the additional materials compiled in the portfolio over the course of the student’s graduate program, the focus of the M.A. Project will be narrowed and its length shortened.  This proposed change will be adopted for all M.A. students entering under the 2011 Catalog, but will be available to those students currently in the program who would like to complete the requirements of the new program.  

I.  Graduate Distribution Requirements
The first change to the M.A. program in English involves changing the course requirements.  All classes currently in the Catalog will continue to be offered, but those classes will be distributed among four categories from which students will select at least one course.  They may then choose to specialize, via electives, in one of the fields designated within the M.A. program.  The fields of inquiry identified are the following: 

• Language, Composition and Rhetoric
• Creative Writing
• Cultural Studies/Theory
• Literature

The M.A. in English 30-unit Course of Study will require the following: 
                ENGL 500 Introduction to Graduate Studies (to be taken during the first year)
                1 course each from three of the four categories listed above
                5 electives
                ENGL 595 Project Writing [and Portfolio Preparation] course (to be taken during the final semester)

In addition, students must satisfy a language requirement by taking a 400 level course in Linguistics, taking a 400 level course in a foreign language or literature course, or completing the equivalent of two years of study in a foreign language.  With adviser approval, students may include up to 6 units of 400 level courses on their study plan and up to 3 units of study from a discipline other than English. The requirements have not changed. 

 Areas of Study: 

Language, Composition, and Rhetoric
ENGL 401               Writing as Student and Teacher
ENGL 402               Theories of Response to Written Composition (2)
ENGL 402S             Tutor Supervision (1)
ENGL 510               Rhetorical Criticism and Discourse Analysis
ENGL 525T             Proseminar in Literature, Rhetoric, or Writing (Topics on Rhetoric)

ENGL 575T             Graduate Seminar: Topics in Teaching
ENGL 590               Writing Theory and Practice for Teaching Associates (2)
ENGL 590S             Teaching Associate Supervision (1)
ENGL 591T             Seminar: Topics in Rhetoric and Composition

Creative Writing
ENGL 509T             Creative Writing Workshop (Fiction, Non Fiction, Poetry, or Playwriting)
ENGL 515               Professional Editing and Journal Production
ENGL 525T             Proseminar in Literature, Rhetoric or Writing (Topic: Poetic Form and Theory)
ENGL 404T             Advanced Creative Writing (Fiction, Non Fiction, Poetry, or Playwriting)

Cultural Criticism/Theory
ENGL 491               Traditions of English Literary Criticism
ENGL 492               Modern Critical Theory
ENGL 574T             Graduate Seminar: Special Problems in Literature (same as CPLT 574T)
ENGL 579T             Graduate Seminar: Problems in Criticism (same as CPLT 579T)

Literature
ENGL 525T             Proseminar in Literature, Rhetoric, or Writing (same as CPLT 525T)
ENGL 571T             Graduate Seminar: Major Writers (same as CPLT 571T)
ENGL 572T             Graduate Seminar: Literary Genres (same as CPLT 572T)
ENGL 573T             Graduate Seminar: Cultural Periods (same as CPLT 573T)

II. The Culminating Experience: M.A. Project and Portfolio
In the process of completing their 30-unit course of study, students will complete a Culminating Experience consisting of a Project and a Portfolio.

A. Project/Portfolio Proposal
Based on their interests and in conjunction with their adviser, students will choose a project topic and one of the portfolio options listed below.  Students will submit to the Graduate Studies Committee their project/portfolio proposals the semester prior to their final semester.  The proposal will include a description of their project (see project guidelines below) as well as an explanation of the project’s anticipated relationship to the particular portfolio option that the student has selected.  The project/portfolio proposal must be approved by the Graduate Studies Committee.  The project/portfolio proposal will replace the current project proposal.  A detailed description of each element of the Culminating Experience is offered below. 

B.  Part One:  Project
Description:
With an adviser and in conjunction with ENGL 595, Project Writing, students will complete a minimum 25-30 page project (excluding bibliography and other ancillary materials). The project can emerge from their own professional and personal interests in the discipline, from papers or presentations completed in seminars, or from work that complements the material in their Portfolio.  The project will consist of an intensive exploration of a student’s chosen subject matter resulting in the creation of a professional quality document.  Projects may be written in a variety of genres and may have a critical, pedagogical, or creative emphasis.

Evaluation:
The project will be evaluated by each student’s faculty adviser in conjunction with the instructor in ENGL 595.  Each project will be evaluated for its completeness and quality in relation to the parameters the student has set in the original proposal, the thoroughness of its research (where appropriate), and the extent to which it has been revised and polished in light of the feedback received from the faculty advisor and the instructor in ENGL 595.

C. Part Two:  Portfolio
Based on their interests and in conjunction with their advisor, students will choose one of the options listed below.  Work on the portfolio may begin with course work completed in English 500, Introduction to Graduate Studies in English. Papers written for other graduate seminars may also form the basis of work included in the portfolio.  Contents of the portfolio may be reviewed by the student’s adviser or other faculty members as they are completed; the entire portfolio must be completed and reviewed by a faculty review committee at least two months prior to the end of the student’s final semester in the graduate program.

1. Portfolio Option 1: Academic Professional Development
Description:
This option emphasizes critical practice and research leading to participation in professional conferences and publication. It is especially useful for students wishing to pursue the PhD, but will also benefit those who wish to enhance their skills as academic practitioners at the two-year college or high school levels. The portfolio must include

• CV
• personal statement relating scholarly interests to CSUF graduate course work
• conference paper abstract
• Coneonference paper
• a faculty member’s written review of oral presentation and the conference paper

Evaluation:
A passing portfolio contains the following:
CV

• accurate information that is presented in appropriate academic format
• adequate personal and reference contact information

Personal statement

• a brief discussion of the student’s scholarly interests and how they developed
• a description of graduate career highlights (undergraduate work included where relevant) that includes reference to longer research projects, conference presentations, academic-related work and activities
• a forecast of the student’s future study/research/career goals and the relationship between these goals and the contents of the portfolio

Conference abstract

• student’s contact information, name and location of the off-campus conference, the call for papers, and date the paper was submitted or the conference was attended
• 250-500 word abstract of the paper

Conference paper

• 8-10-page conference paper, not including works cited and other ancillary materials
• a one-paragraph explanation of the relevance of the conference to the student’s interests and its appropriateness for the paper presented

Faculty member’s written review

• a one-paragraph description of the student’s oral presentation
• a one-paragraph description of the strengths of the conference paper


2. Portfolio Option 2:  Pedagogical Development
Description:
This option emphasizes critical practice and research in pedagogy, whether at the secondary or college level. It is especially useful for students currently holding teaching positions, planning to apply for teaching positions, or intending to pursue graduate work in composition/rhetoric. The portfolio must include:

• CV
• personal statement relating pedagogical interests to CSUF graduate course work
• teaching philosophy
• detailed syllabus, lesson plans, ancillary materials, and rationale
• a faculty member’s written review of teaching or tutoring demonstration and syllabus/lesson plans

Evaluation:
A passing portfolio contains the following:

CV

• accurate information that is presented in appropriate academic format
• adequate personal and reference contact information

Personal statement

• a brief discussion of the student’s pedagogical interests and how they developed
• a description of graduate career highlights (undergraduate work included where relevant) that includes reference to longer research projects, conference presentations, academic-related work and activities
• a forecast of the student’s future study/research/career goals and the relationship between these goals and the contents of the portfolio

Teaching Philosophy

• a two-page discussion of the student’s teaching philosophy and adequate illustration of how the philosophy is instantiated in the classroom

               
Syllabus and lesson plans

• a complete, semester-long secondary or college level course syllabus that identifies and describes the course, assigned texts, and weekly schedule
• sample weekly lesson plans and ancillary materials, such as assignments and grading rubrics
• a two-page rationale for the chosen course structure, texts, and assignments

Faculty member’s written review

• a one-paragraph description of a teaching/tutoring demonstration
• a one-paragraph analysis of the strengths of the syllabus and lesson plan


3. Portfolio Option 3: Creative/Professional Writing Development
Description:
This portfolio emphasizes critical study of and practice in various types of professional or creative writing that will help students intending to seek employment in professional or creative writing and editing or preparing for a career in creative writing or professional editing/publishing.  The portfolio must include:

• CV
• personal statement relating creative interests to CSUF graduate course work
• description and analysis of the work completed on a publication at CSUF or in off-campus venues, or in the course of a writing internship
• one piece of writing submitted to a refereed journal
• a faculty member’s written review of student’s written or performed work

Evaluation:
A passing portfolio contains the following:
CV

• accurate information that is presented in appropriate academic format
• adequate personal and reference contact information

Personal statement

• a brief discussion of the student’s creative interests and how they developed
• a description of graduate career highlights (undergraduate work included where relevant) that include reference to completed writings, public readings/presentations, academic-related work and activities
• a forecast of the student’s future study/writing/career goals and the relationship between these goals and the contents of the portfolio

Analysis of Professional Work

• a three-page description and analysis of work completed on a publication (could be extra curricular or from undergraduate experiences), a writing internship completed in English 498, or a discussion of the student’s research on potential publishing venues for the student’s creative work

Journal submission

• Contact information, name of journal, submission guidelines
• one short story, play, creative non-fiction, or poetry selection (three poems or the equivalent) submitted to a refereed off-campus journal

Faculty member’s written review

• a one-paragraph description of student’s professional work experience
• a one-paragraph review of the strengths of the submitted creative writing

Students currently under the Old MA Program may continue with it, or may shift to the new program. 

TWO YEAR TIMELINE FOR MA IN ENGLISH

The following timeline offers a suggested two year path through the MA program.  Keep in mind that the Graduate Adviser has the following year's graduate course offerings by November 1^st so that students can plan their coursework accordingly.  The graduate program website (under construction!) will also offer important information regarding the program.  The following timeline includes suggested courses and also offers advice for each semester.  Keep in mind that the outline below offers general advice.  Students should fine tune their proposed courses of study with the Graduate Adviser.  Throughout your course of study, consider your goals and consult frequently with mentors. 

MA Program Requirements

• Core courses (6 units) 500 (required) and 491, 492, 510, or 579
• Proseminars (12 units) 525
• Seminars (9 units)  509, 571, 572, 573, 574, 575, or 591
• Project (3 units) 595

Suggested Timeline:

First Semester Suggested Courses:

• English 500
• English 525
• English 525
• English 509 or 404

Advice:  During your first semester, take the Introduction to Graduate Studies Course (500), and at least one, if not two proseminars.  If you do not take two proseminars, consider enrolling in a course to satisfy your Analysis of Discourse requirement (510, 579, 491, 492).  Please note if you are interested in creative work:  509 is not offered frequently.  To be eligible to do a creative writing project you need to take two workshops, one of which must be a 509.   

Second Semester Suggested Courses:

• English 510, or  579, 491, 492
• English 525
• English 509, 571, 572, 573, 574, 575, 591

Advice:  During your second semester, in addition to your coursework, you should begin thinking about a project.  By the end of the semester, you should have a focus for your project, and you should also confirm a faculty director for your project.  Also, as you take your proseminar and seminar courses, keep your major texts and notes handy.  They will be useful for you MA exam preparation.  File your study plan with the Graduate Adviser after having completed 12 units, including 2 proseminars (525). 

Over the Summer: 

• Consult with your director
• Develop a research plan for your project
• Begin to research and focus your ideas for the project
• Draft a Project Proposal
• Study for your MA Exams

Note:  You may need to speak with faculty before the summer to develop such a plan, since faculty are not always available over the summer.  Also, since you will be taking your MA exams in the fall, studying over the summer is essential.          

Third Semester Suggested Courses:

• English 525
• English 509, 571, 572, 573, 574, 575, 591
• Declare your intention to take the MA Exams (Due 3^rd week of the semester)
• Turn in your Project Proposal (Due 5^th week of the semester)
• Resubmit Project Proposals (If required. Due 9^th week of the semester)
• Take your MA Exams

Advice:  During your third semester you will finalize and submit your Project Proposal.  You will also take your MA Exams.  Begin drafting your project.  Because you will only have an additional semester to complete the project, it is imperative that you begin writing the project before your last semester. 

Over Winter break:

• Work on your project.

Fourth Semester:

• Project Writing Course 595

Advice:  Writing an MA project will take time, focus, and dedication.  Stay in consultation with your director to insure an effective timeline for the completion of your project.