2014-2015 Graduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]
English Department
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Department Chairperson: Darlene Farabee, Ph.D.
Graduate Program Director: Skip Willman, Ph.D.
Department of English
Dakota Hall, Room 212
414 East Clark Street
Vermillion, SD 57069
Phone: (605) 677-5229
english@usd.edu
www.usd.edu/english
FACULTY
Professor:
Lee Ann Roripaugh, M.F.A., Indiana University. Specialization: Creative Writing (Poetry), 20th-Century American Literature, Asian-American Literature, Contemporary Poetry.
Associate Professors:
John Dudley, Ph.D., Tulane University. Specialization: 19th- and 20th-Century American Literature and Culture, Realism and Naturalism, Gender Studies, African American Literature.
Darlene Farabee, Ph.D., University of Delaware. Specialization: 16th- and 17th-Century British Literature, Shakespeare, Drama and Performance, Early Modern Travel Narratives.
Skip Willman, Ph.D., Indiana University. Specialization: Critical Theory, 20th-Century American Literature.
Assistant Professors:
Paul Formisano, Ph.D., University of New Mexico. Specialization: Rhetoric and Composition, Ecocriticism, American Literature.
Ronald Ganze, Ph.D., University of Oregon. Specialization: Medieval Literature, Film Studies.
Christopher Jenks, Ph.D., Newcastle University. Specialization: English as a Second Language, Second Language Pedagogy, Applied Linguistics.
Natanya Pulley, Ph.D., University of Utah. Specialization: Creative Writing (Fiction and Non-Fiction), Native American Literature, Narrative Theory, Disability Theory.
Sarah Townsend, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley. Specialization: 20th-Century British, Irish, and Anglophone Literature, Postcolonial Theory.
Lecturer:
Duncan Barlow, Ph.D., University of Denver. Specialization: Creative Writing (Fiction, Poetry, and Non-Fiction), Literature.
DEGREE
SPECIALIZATION
Creative Writing
Literature
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
SPECIALIZATION
Literary Studies: Creative
Literary Studies: Critical
Program Description
The Master of Arts in English covers the major periods and concepts in British and American literatures since their inception. The degree offers excellent preparation for further graduate study or for employment in any field that values critical thinking, strong writing skills, and research experience. Students design their own course of study, with coursework distributed across a variety of fields. The three degree options available are: M.A. plan A (thesis); M.A. plan B (non-thesis); and J.D./M.A., in conjunction with the School of Law. Students following Plan A may choose to specialize in either Literature or Creative Writing. Students selecting Plan B may specialize in either Literature or TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages).
The Ph.D. program is built around the English Department’s seminar offerings. The program focuses on literature from 1800 to the present. The available specializations are Literary Studies: Critical and Literary Studies: Creative. Most graduates of the English Ph.D. program pursue careers in higher education.
ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS
MASTER OF ARTS
- Completion of a baccalaureate degree in English or its equivalent is required.
- An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better, based on 4.0 scale, is required.
- Required for students, except those from or who have a baccalaureate degree from an institution in the US, UK, Australia, Canada [except Quebec], Ireland, or New Zealand in which English is the language of instruction: a TOEFL score of at least 105 (Internet-based test), 620 (paper-based test) or 260 (computer test); an IELTS score of at least 7.0; or a PTE score of 70.
- A 10-15 page sample of critical writing on literature or a related topic is required. Applicants for the creative specialization should also submit a brief sample (15-20 pages) of creative writing. Preference is given to applicants who demonstrate the ability to excel in critical thinking and writing and whose academic background suggests significant capability in the study of literature (and creative writing, for applicants to that specialization).
- A statement of purpose is required.
-Subject to departmental approval, those who do not meet all of the criteria above may be admitted on a provisional basis.
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
- Completion of a Master’s degree in English or its equivalent is required.
- An undergraduate and graduate GPA of 3.0 or better, based on 4.0 scale, is required.
- The GRE General test is required. There is no minimum score required; the score is considered along with the other application materials.
- Required for students, except those from or who have a baccalaureate or graduate degree from an institution in the US, UK, Australia, Canada [except Quebec], Ireland, or New Zealand in which English is the language of instruction: a TOEFL score of at least 105 (Internet-based test), 620 (paper-based test) or 260 (computer test); an IELTS score of at least 7.0; or a PTE score of 70.
- A 15-20 page sample of critical writing on literature or a related topic is required. Applicants for the creative specialization must also submit a substantial sample of creative writing (at least 20 pages). Preference is given to applicants who demonstrate the ability to excel in critical thinking and writing and whose academic background suggests significant capability in the study of literature (and creative writing, for applicants to that specialization).
- A statement of purpose is required.
SCHOLARSHIPS
The department’s major source of financial support for graduate students is the Teaching Assistantship, which is normally offered to students accepted into the Ph.D. program and is available on a competitive basis for students in the M.A. program.
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