• The instructor will assemble a group of texts that will allow students to meet the objectives and specifications of the course. No specific texts are required.

• Study of a specific theme, critical approach, and/or concept that transcends boundaries established by the other 6000-level offerings in the program.  Typical offerings may include Transatlantic Influences in Modernist Literature, Literature of Migration and Settlement, and Theory and Praxis of Creative Writing.  May be repeated for credit as topic varies.
• A further specific description pertaining to this section of the course may be added.

Graduate Course Goals

• Students will engage in serious independent reading and research on a literary, writing, or theory topic.
• Students will participate in seminar discussion and present their own research and reading to the class.
• Students will refine their skills in literary analysis and/or specific critical approaches.
• Students will appreciate the cultural, social, historical, and economic influences that contribute to the creation of literary artifacts.
• Students will recognize the implications and applications of the ideas and methods of the seminar and will reveal their understanding by demonstrating both oral and written facility in applying the seminar material to the critical analysis of literary and cultural texts.
• Students will be capable of conducting independent and meaningful course-related research and synthesizing it in the form of a correctly documented research paper prepared according to current professional standards.

Graduate Program Goals

• This course prepares students to complete successfully the comprehensive oral examination that is required for all M.A. degree candidates.
• This course provides students with literary, historical, and critical contexts related to texts on the department's required reading list.
• Oral presentations in the course strengthen students' presentation skills and prepare them further for the oral comprehensive examination which is required for the M.A. degree.
• Gaining further knowledge of texts in this area strengthens students' content area knowledge, prepares them for taking nationally recognized standardized examinations (such as the advanced GRE subject examination in English), and further prepares them for careers in teaching, writing, and business or advanced graduate-level study.

• To be determined by instructor.

• To be determined by instructor.

• Departmental plagiarism policies
• Other policy statements specific to this class should be included on the syllabus.
• A detailed calendar of readings and assignments should be made available to the class at the first class meeting. A copy should be posted electronically and kept on file in the English department office.
• Students should be expected to come to class, prepared and able to participate.
• MLA style should be emphasized and required on out-of-class essays.