Mar 29, 2024  
2009-2010 Graduate Catalog 
    
2009-2010 Graduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

English


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Professor Emily Haddad, Chair
Dakota Hall 212
(605) 677-5229

english@usd.edu
http://www.usd.edu/english 
 

Degrees:

MASTER OF ARTS

Specializations:

Literature
Creative Writing
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

Specializations:

Literary Studies: Critical
Literary Studies: Creative

Graduate Faculty

Professors

Brian Bedard, Professor, Ph.D., University of Utah. Specialization: 20th-Century American Literature, Creative Writing (Fiction).

Emily Haddad, Professor, Ph.D., Harvard University. Specialization: 19th-Century British Literature, Modernism, Postcolonial Literature. 

Susan Wolfe, Professor, Ph.D., State University of New York, Stony Brook. Specialization: Linguistics, Gender Studies, Lesbian and Gay Studies.

Associate Professors

Edward Allen, Associate Professor, Ph.D., Ohio University. Specialization: Creative Writing (Fiction),Contemporary Literature.

James Balakier, Associate Professor, Ph.D., Ohio University. Specialization: Renaissance and 18th-Century British Literature, Modernism.

John Dudley, Associate Professor, Ph.D., Tulane University. Specialization: 19th- and 20th-Century American Literature and Culture, Realism and Naturalism, Gender Studies, African American Literature.

Lee Ann Roripaugh, Associate Professor, M.F.A., Indiana University. Specialization: Creative Writing (Poetry), 20th-Century American Literature, Asian-American Literature, Contemporary Poetry.

Dennis Sjolie
, Associate Professor, Ed.D., University of South Dakota. Specialization: ESL, TESOL, Multicultural Communication, Curriculum Development.

Skip Willman, Associate Professor, Ph.D., Indiana University. Specialization: Critical Theory, 20th-Century American Literature.
 

Assistant Professors 

 Jason Berger, Assistant Professor, Ph.D., University of Connecticut, Specialization: Colonial and Antebellum American Literature, American Studies, Critical Theory.

Darlene Farabee, Assistant Professor, Ph.D., University of Delaware. Specialization: 16th-and 17th-Century British Literature, Shakespeare, Drama and Performance, Early Modern Travel Narratives.

Ronald Ganze, Assistant Professor, Ph.D., University of Oregon. Specialization: Medieval Literature, Film Studies. 

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. The three 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. The non–thesis options are specializations in Literature and in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages).

The Ph.D. program is built around the English Department’s seminar offerings, supplemented by independent study courses. The program focuses on literature from 1800 to the present. The available options are Literary Studies: Critical and Literary Studies: Creative.

Admission Requirements

MASTER OF ARTS

  • Completion of a baccalaureate degree in English or its equivalent.
  • An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better based on 4.0 scale is required for full admission.
  • Required for international students, except those whose primary language is English or who have a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in which English is the language of instruction: a TOEFL score of at least 105 (internet-based test), 620 (paper test) or 260 (computer test) or an IELTS score of at least 7.0. There are additional requirements for international students.
  • 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 of creative writing. Preference is given to applicants who demonstrate the ability to excel in critical thinking and writing.
  • A statement of purpose is required.
  • Subject to faculty 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.
  • An undergraduate and graduate GPA of 3.0 or better based on 4.0 scale is required for full admission.
  • The GRE General test is required. There is no minimum score required; the score is considered along with the other application materials.
  • Required for international students, except those whose primary language is English or who have a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in which English is the language of instruction: a TOEFL score of at least 105 (internet-based test), 620 (paper test) or 260 (computer test) or an IELTS score of at least 7.0. There are additional requirements for international students.
  • 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. Preference is given to applicants who demonstrate the ability to excel in critical thinking and writing.
  • 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. Some additional assistance is available in the form of awards to continuing students whose academic performance, creative achievement, or contribution to departmental activities has been outstanding.
 

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