Masters of Arts in English

Area of Emphasis: Writing Studies

Writing Studies provides students with coursework in theories and practices of writing, and representative research in the fields of composition and writing studies. Attention is paid to writing processes in various contexts, from the classroom to non-academic settings. In this study of written discourse as intellectual, social, creative, and educational practice, we ask: what is it that writers do when they write, how does writing ability develop, and how does writing function politically?

We study writing process, language, and making of meaning; rhetorical theory, learning theory, and empirical research in composition; theory, intellectual practice, and the social construction of knowledge--and the implications of all these for writers and teachers. Central to this theoretical work is students’ development of their own writing through seminars in autobiography, poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction. The faculty include composition researchers and theorists as well as writers of poetry, fiction and non-fiction.

For further information, contact Professor Emily Isaacs at Isaacse@mail.montclair.edu.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE IN ENGLISH

With emphasis on Writing Studies

1. Core courses (9 semester hours)

   ENGL 605 Seminar in Literary Research: to be taken near the beginning of the program.	3 credits
   ENLT 514 Theoretical Approaches to Literature	3 credits
   ENGL 698 Master’s Thesis: to be taken at the end of the program. (See Partial Listing of Writing Studies Theses.)	3 credits

2. Four courses in Writing Studies

   See course descriptions.

   12 credits

3. Electives

   Any ENGL, ENLT, or ENWR graduate courses not used to fulfill requirements in “B.” Six credits may be taken outside the English Department with prior permission of the English graduate program coordinator.

   12 credits

For further information please see the English Department or the Graduate Catalog.