English Department

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Department Chairperson: Darlene Farabee, Ph.D.
Graduate Program Coordinator: Lisa Ann Robertson, Ph.D.

Department of English
212 Dakota Hall
414 East Clark Street
Vermillion, SD 57069
Phone: 605-677-5229
english@usd.edu
www.usd.edu/arts-and-sciences/english

FACULTY

Professors:

John Dudley, Ph.D., Tulane University. Specialization: 19th- and 20th-Century American Literature and Culture, Realism and Naturalism, African American Literature, Race and Gender Studies.
Lee Ann Roripaugh, M.F.A., Indiana University. Specialization: Creative Writing (Poetry), 20th- and 21st-Century American Poetry, Asian-American Literature, Queer Theory.

Associate Professors:

Darlene Farabee, Ph.D., University of Delaware. Specialization: 16th- and 17th-Century British Literature, Shakespeare, Drama, Early Modern Travel Narratives, Performance Theory.
Paul Formisano, Ph.D., University of New Mexico. Specialization: Rhetoric and Composition, Ecocriticism, American Literature.
Skip Willman, Ph.D., Indiana University. Specialization: Critical Theory, 20th-Century American Literature, Marxist and Lacanian Theory.

Assistant Professors:

Prentiss Clark, Ph.D., State University of New York, Buffalo.  Specialization: 18th- and 19th-Century American Literature, Scholarly History, Literature and Philosophy. 
Benjamin Hagen, Ph.D., University of Rhode Island. Specialization: 20th and 21st Century British/Anglophone Literature, Philosophy, Pedagogy, Affect, Age Studies.
Leah McCormack, Ph.D., University of Cincinnati. Specialization: Creative Writing (Fiction and Creative Non-Fiction), Magical Realism, Trauma Studies.
Lisa Ann Robertson, Ph.D., University of Alberta. Specialization: 18th- and 19th-Century British Literature, Theories of Mind and Imagination, Cognitive Theory.

Instructor:

Kenneth Green, M.A., University of South Dakota. Specialzation: Writing Pedagogy, Professional Writing.

Lecturer:

Duncan Barlow, Ph.D., University of Denver. Specialization: Creative Writing (Fiction, Poetry, and Non-Fiction), Literature of the Absurd, Critical Theory.

Writer in Residence:

Pete Dexter, B.A., University of South Dakota. Specialization: Creative Writing (Fiction, Screenwriting)

DEGREE

Master of Arts  
Accelerated Master of Arts, Plan B only  

SPECIALIZATION

Creative Writing
Literature

Doctor of Philosophy  

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 Literature.

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.

MASTER OF ARTS ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

1. Completed Graduate Application form found at: https://www.usd.edu/graduate-school/apply-now and a non-refundable application fee of $35.
2. Official transcript(s) verifying receipt of an undergraduate degree and previous graduate credit (in English or with English translation) must accompany an application. Official transcript of all academic work at the undergraduate and graduate levels are required for international students. The USD Graduate School and/or academic units retain the right to require credential evaluations from organizations, such as Educational Credential Evaluators/World Education Services (ECE/WES), for a student if such an evaluation is deemed necessary.
3. Completion of a baccalaureate degree in English or its equivalent is required.  A minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 on conferred degree and/or graduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better, based on a 4.0 scale, on all graduate coursework is required for full admission. Each graduate program may admit students on provisional status per university policy.
4. Applicants with degrees from countries other than the United States: Applicants who have obtained an undergraduate or graduate degree from a regionally accredited American college or university or from an accredited institution in the following English-speaking countries: United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Canada (Excluding Quebec), Australia, and New Zealand are not required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score. For all other applicants, 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.
5. Applicants are required to submit a statement of purpose.

Additional Program Admission Requirements:

6. 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).
7. Three (3) professional letters of recommendation are required.

Subject to departmental approval, those who do not meet all of the criteria above may be admitted on a provisional basis.

Application Deadline:

• Fall Start
  • Priority Deadline: February 1
  • Final Deadline: Three weeks before the start of the semester
• Spring Start
  • Final Deadline: Four weeks before the start of the semester

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

1. Completed Graduate Application form found at: https://www.usd.edu/graduate-school/apply-now and a non-refundable application fee of $35.
2. Official transcript(s) verifying receipt of an undergraduate degree and previous graduate credit (in English or with English translation) must accompany an application. Official transcript of all academic work at the undergraduate and graduate levels are required for international students. The USD Graduate School and/or academic units retain the right to require credential evaluations from organizations, such as Educational Credential Evaluators/World Education Services (ECE/WES), for a student if such an evaluation is deemed necessary.
3. Completion of a Master’s degree in English or its equivalent is required.  A minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 on conferred degree and/or graduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better, based on a 4.0 scale, on all graduate coursework is required for full admission. Each graduate program may admit students on provisional status per university policy.
4. Applicants with degrees from countries other than the United States: Applicants who have obtained an undergraduate or graduate degree from a regionally accredited American college or university or from an accredited institution in the following English-speaking countries: United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Canada (Excluding Quebec), Australia, and New Zealand are not required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score. For all other applicants, 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.
5. Applicants are required to submit a statement of purpose.

Additional Program Admission Requirements:

6. 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).
7. Three (3) professional letters of recommendation are required.

Subject to departmental approval, those who do not meet all of the criteria above may be admitted on a provisional basis.

Application Deadline:

• Fall Start
  • Priority Deadline: January 15
  • Final Deadline: May 15

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.

Programs

• English (M.A.)
• English (M.A., J.D.)
• English (Ph.D.)

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