Students who began MA studies in fall 2005 or spring 2006 and whose catalog term in Patriotweb reflects a fall 2005 or spring 2006 start date should use the following link to access the appropriate advising sheet.
Students who began MA studies in or after fall 2006 should use the following advising sheet.
Literature Advising Sheet 07-08
This program consists of courses in literature (defined to include film, media, folklore, and literary and cultural theory) and a required course in research methods. At least three credits of a student's program must be devoted to a critical theory course (more for the track in Cultural Studies; see below). There is a thesis option of at least six credits. As with all the M.A. in English programs, students must demonstrate that they have achieved an intermediate level of proficiency in a foreign language by the time they are finished with their degree program.
Planning Your Course of Studies
You must complete 30 credit hours of course work in this program. Course work must be distributed as outlined below; courses can qualify in more than one area.
Research (3 credit hours required)
_____701. Literary Scholarship
Theory (3 credit hours required)
One of the following:
_____514. Theories of Comparative Literarture
_____551. Literary Criticism (recommended for students who have had no prior theory)
_____675. Feminist Theory and Criticism
_____676. Introduction to Cultural Studies
_____705. Literary Theory and Criticism; content varies; may be repeated by permission
Literature (24 credit hours required, as defined above; may not include pedagogical, writing, or professional development courses)
______ ______ ______ ______
______ ______ ______ ______
Select from the array of offerings each semester. Some of these are special topics courses which may be taught only once. Many courses are on a two year rotation, some on a one year rotation, though even in these the content may vary from semester to semester. Consult the University Catalog, the English Department Course Description book, and the English Department web site (www.english.gmu.edu) each term to see which courses in literature are offered. Also consult the print version of the catalog for a complete listing of English courses. Note: With the advance permission of the Graduate Director, you may present up to six hours in coursework outside the department, if they reinforce the course of study.
Thesis Option (6 credits)
______ ______
In place of 6 units of literature, you may opt to complete a six-credit thesis; consult your academic advisor on whether this option is suitable for you. This option is recommended for students who have a special scholarly project they wish to develop.
MA Cultural Studies Feeder Track
Students planning to apply to the PhD in Cultural Studies should pursue the MA with a concentration in Literature and make the following modifications to the above requirements:
_____ 3 of the 6 hours in critical theory in English 676: Introduction to Cultural Studies
_____ _____ 6 hours of additional coursework in literary and cultural theory, media, and film studies taken from the following list: 551, 555, 665, 670, 675, 705, 740. ENGL 685 may also qualify, depending on the topic. Please consult your advisor.
____ 3 hours in Cultural Studies 802 (Prerequisites: ENGL 676 and 24 hours of the MA degree)
Language Requirement (intermediate proficiency in a foreign language)
Intermediate proficiency corresponds to George Mason's coursework through the 202 or 209 level. Generally speaking, this level represents 4 consecutive semesters in a given language (e.g. French 101, 102, 201, and 202). You may satisfy this requirement in three ways:
- Confirm that your undergraduate (or continuing education) transcript includes courses corresponding to this level of proficiency.
- If your language proficiency is in a Romance language or German, you can take a proficiency exam administered by the English Department. Contact the Graduate Coordinator, Sarah Kirkpatrick, to schedule the exam. If your proficiency is in another language, contact a local university where this language is taught and arrange to sit for an exam.
- Take courses at George Mason or elsewhere through the intermediate level. Make sure that the intermediate level elsewhere corresponds to that of George Mason.
Please contact your advisor soon after enrolling to determine how you will meet the language proficiency requirement. Once you have made this decision, contact the Graduate Programs Manager at englgrad@gmu.edu, so that we may complete the necessary paperwork.
Transfer of Credit Policies
Up to 12 credit hours of graduate credit earned prior to admission to a master's program may be eligible to be transferred into the program and applied to the degree. This applies to credit earned in GMU's Nondegree program, as well as accredited colleges and universities outside of George Mason. To learn more about the policies governing transfer of credit, please click on Credit Transfer Policies.