Introduction to Graduate Studies in English

Understand the formal, historical, and social contexts of texts and be able to compose close readings of texts reflecting those approaches.

Recognize and be able to apply a variety of scholarly fields in English Studies, such as literary study, rhetoric, poetics, narrative, pedagogy, cultural and media studies, and textual scholarship.

Develop critical thinking and writing skills in their analyses of texts through classroom discussions as well as writing assignments.

Integrate critical, theoretical knowledge and reflective practice in a variety of forms and in a variety of contexts, including oral presentations, collaborative workshops, and academic writing; demonstrate ability to move between abstract ideas and material examples, such as through application or practice.

Utilize research methods in order to formulate and sustain an academic argument in writing as well as in oral presentations; practice elements of a thesis proposal: research question development, definition of key terms, research/bibliography design reflecting strategies of inquiry, analytical integration of concepts and quotations into written work, evaluation of sources.

Write and speak persuasively in a variety of genres and demonstrating awareness of genre.

Conduct independent research on literary scholarship via online databases including MLA and JSTOR.