Students in graduate-level English classes study the implications of texts.
Students who wish to teach English or delve deeper into English literature studies should consider pursuing a master's degree in English. In these programs, you will have the opportunity to explore topics within the English field, from literary history to creative writing. You may also choose to focus your studies on a specific topic, such as the texts written during a historical period or the texts that originate from a particular region. Whatever the focus you decide to pursue, you will need to take classes that fall into a few basic categories to earn your degree.
Literature
English students must have an in-depth understanding of the texts that have made an impact on our society, so they must complete courses in literature that cover topics from Shakespeare's plays to modern-day novels. You will study the rise of particular genres in literature, such as British romantic literature and women's fiction. You will also gain a deeper knowledge of major authors. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign students, for instance, have the opportunity to study how Jane Austen influenced gender perceptions in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
Writing
English master's degree candidates must also have a strong grasp on the art of writing. Rather than studying other authors' literature, students are expected to create and evaluate their own work in writing courses. At New York University, students can take a workshop in poetry course, where they must craft one original poem per week. A workshop in fiction course is also available, and students in this course are expected to write short stories and novels and study readings on dialogue, characterization and point of view.
Language and Linguistics
Classes in language and linguistics will help you gain a better understanding of the history of the English language and the relationship between language and literature. You will study how the English language evolved from the middle ages to the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries to today. Also covered in these courses is new language formation and how social or political influences shaped the English language.
Pedagogy
If you are interested in teaching English, take a pedagogy class while completing your master's program. Classes in this category are available in many master's programs and explore theories of teach writing. You will learn critique students' writing and create lesson plans and assignments. There are several different types of courses within the pedagogy category; for instance, students at the University of Maine can take courses in rhetorical theory, teaching college composition and theories of composition.
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