论文选择

A master's thesis 用英语 should be a work of 50 or more pages demonstrating competent and substantial research coupled with an innovative approach to the subject matter. The thesis committee should be comprised of three faculty members, two from the Department of 英语 (one of whom serves as thesis advisor / thesis committee chair) and one faculty member from outside the department who serves as third reader. Submission of the written thesis is followed by an oral defense.

Students choosing the thesis option must complete a minimum of 36 hours of coursework (including 6 hours of thesis credit). Deadlines for submitting the thesis vary each semester and are set by the 研究生 School.

  1. It is recommended that students complete a minimum of approximately 21 credit hours by the start of the semester in which they wish to register for thesis hours. A student’s academic preparedness for beginning the thesis, 然而, is ultimately at the discretion of the thesis advisor / chair.
  2. No later than the drop deadline of the semester immediately prior to the term in which the student plans to defend the thesis, he or she must submit a formal proposal to the 研究生 Coordinator and 研究生 Studies Committee outlining the nature and scope of the project. 提案必须包括以下内容:
    • Copy of the Thesis Committee Appointment Form with all required signatures
    • 工作名称
    • Six-page minimum overview of the project describing the background/critical context of the topic area and working thesis
    • 工作参考书目
    • Timeline for completion of the project including the number of credits left to be completed before thesis hours begin and number of courses left to take to complete the degree, 如果适用的话

3. Upon receipt and review of the completed proposal by the 研究生 Studies Committee, the 研究生 Coordinator will forward a memo to the department head indicating that the student has been approved to register for thesis hours.

Sample Timelines for Completing 学位要求 and Thesis within Two Years: actual timelines may vary and are subject to approval by the thesis chair.

示例时间轴一: 论文时间只在最后一个学期

项(s) 目标

Semesters one through three (Fall I, Spring I, Summer)
  • 完成最多27小时的课程.
  • 确定主题区域.
  • 组建论文委员会.
  • 向注册主任提交毕业生申请.
第四学期(秋季第二学期)
  • 完成任何剩余的课程作业.
  • Submit thesis proposal by drop day of current semester.
  • Register for thesis hours for ensuing semester.
第五学期(春季第二学期)
  • 开始论文时间.
  • Defend thesis no later than two weeks prior to submission deadline set by 研究生 School.

示例时间线II: 论文时间占最后两个学期

项(s) 目标
Semesters one through three (Fall I, Spring I, Summer)
  • 完成至少21小时的课程.
  • 确定主题区域.
  • 组建论文委员会.
  • 向注册主任提交毕业生申请.
  • Submit thesis proposal by drop day of semester three (Summer).
第四学期(秋季第二学期)
  • 开始论文时间.
  • 完成任何剩余的课程作业.
第五学期(春季第二学期)
  • 完成论文学时.
  • 完成任何剩余的课程作业.
  • Defend thesis no later than two weeks prior to submission deadline set by 研究生 School.

非论文选择:综合考试

Students following this option must complete 36 hours of coursework, in addition to completing the foreign language requirement. The examination should be taken during the final semester of coursework.

综合考试:

在任何一条轨道上, students will develop in consultation with their committee a reading list representative of a currently recognized sub­field or specialty in their specific area of emphasis. This list should consist of no fewer than 20 secondary sources (articles and/or book chapters), excluding material that students have already studied in their classes.

Students will then take a three-­hour written examination over the reading list as well as undergo a follow-up oral examination over the written test and their coursework.

只在文学上强调, the list should consist of no fewer than six primary sources and should seek depth of coverage in no fewer than two recognized periods in British and/or American literature. Committee chairs should ensure the list the list is coherent and meets the above requirements.

只在文学上强调, the exam must contain at least three questions or question categories as described below:

  • One question or category must cover breadth of knowledge in the field or area.
  • One question or category must require in-­depth discussion of a particular work or perspective using key facts, 概念, 或上下文.
  • One question or category must require the ability to employ one or more theoretical and/or pedagogical perspectives.

Finally, question categories can provide options.

Students who plan to take the Comprehensive Examination in either area of emphasis may take up to three credits of exam reading hours (ENGL 8995). Students should submit a formal request to the 研究生 Coordinator briefly outlining the scope of the exam and must include with the request the reading list assigned to them by their exam committee chair as well as a copy of the committee appointment form including all required signatures. The three credits of reading hours can count toward the 36 hours of coursework required for the degree.