ERIC CARL LINK, PhD  
Chair
Room 467, Patterson Hall
(901) 678-2651

VERNER D. MITCHELL, PhD
Coordinator of Graduate Studies
(901) 678-1448

E-mail: ego@memphis.edu
http://cas.memphis.edu/english
http://cas.memphis.edu/english/graduate.htm

I. The Department of English offers programs of study leading to the Master of Arts degree, the Master of Fine Arts degree, and the Doctor of Philosophy degree. Entering students will consult with a departmental advisor to plan their course of study. Students in the MA program will choose one concentration from the five offered: Composition Studies, Language and Linguistics, Literature, Professional Writing, or English as a Second Language. Students in the PhD program will choose one of four concentrations: Composition Studies, Professional Writing, Applied Linguistics, or Textual Studies.

Program objectives are: (1) development of skills to engage in original research or original creative writing for publication or for positions in education or industry; (2) development of advanced competencies in teaching language or literature and presentation of works to others; and (3) understanding and contributing to contemporary issues and debates in the chosen concentration.

 All graduate students must comply with the general requirements of the Graduate School (see Admissions Regulations, Academic Regulations, and Minimum Degree Requirements) as well as the program requirements of the degree being pursued.

II. MA in English Degree Program

A. Admission

1. An overall minimum grade point average of 3.00 at the undergraduate level is expected.
2. A satisfactory score on the Graduate Record Examination; typically a score of 450 on the verbal section is competitive.
3. An official undergraduate and if applicable graduate transcript to Graduate Admissions.

B. Program Prerequisites

An undergraduate degree with a major in English. A student who does not have an undergraduate major in English or appropriate background may be required to complete a maximum of 12 upper division hours in English with a grade of B or higher in each course.

C. Program Requirements

1. a. Students in Literature, ESL, or Linguistics must complete a total of thirty (30) semester hours of course work plus a three-hour thesis, or a total of thirty-three (33) semester hours of course work. All students must complete a four-hour comprehensive written examination.
   b. Students in Professional Writing must complete a required four-hour comprehensive exam and produce either a thesis or project or portfolio. The exam must be passed before the student can register for thesis hours.
2. Students in ESL or Linguistics must complete two graduate courses (six semester hours) outside their area of concentration. All other students must complete two graduate courses (six semester hours) in literature, excluding ENGL 7100.
3. Students must complete the following minimum course work, beyond the requirement in section 2, in at least one of these concentrations:
   1. Composition Studies—18 hours;
      1. MA students pursing an emphasis in Composition Studies must complete a 9-hour core consisting of ENGL 7/8003, 7/8801, and 7/8822.
   2. Language and Linguistics—18 hours including ENGL 7511 or equivalent graduate or undergraduate introduction to linguistics approved by student's advisor;
   3. Professional Writing—18 hours
      1. The Professional Writing concentration requires a 3-hour thesis, project, or portfolio.
      2. Professional Writing students will complete their 18 hours as follows: 7806 and 7809, and four courses selected from the following: 7805, 7807, 7808, 7810, 7816, 7818, and 7862.
   4. Literature—18 hours, including 7000 (excluding 7100); Students must take at least one literature course from before 1800 and one literature course from after 1800, and at least one Literary Theory class, which may be chosen from any designated theory class, including 7/8477, 7/8478, 7/8701, 7/8702, and 7/8480. All students must take a four-hour written comprehensive examination. For a comprehensive course listing, see the English Graduate website: http://cas.memphis.edu/english/graduate.htm. Literature students should take ENGL 7000 in the first year of graduate study.
   5. English as a Second Language—18 hours, including ENGL 7531.

NOTE: Courses numbered 7004, 7005, 7006, 7812, and 7813 require approval of the Chair of the Department and Coordinator of Graduate Studies in order to be applied toward any concentration.

4. Students in Composition Studies will take a written comprehensive exam and complete either a thesis or professional portfolio. Students should contact the English Graduate Office for examination format and dates.
5. Reading knowledge of a foreign language for students in Literature and Linguistics. Proficiency may be demonstrated in a variety of ways (inquire in English Graduate Office for options). Students intending to pursue a PhD are advised to develop a reading competency in at least one of the following: French, German, Latin, or Greek.
6. Thesis (ENGL 7996) Optional, except for the concentration in Professional Writing. NOTE: Students electing to write a thesis should familiarize themselves with the Thesis/Dissertation Preparation Guide before starting to write.
7. An average of 3.00 in all graduate English courses.
8. Each graduate teaching assistant in the Department of English must enroll in English 7003-8003 before or concurrent with first teaching assignment.

D. Retention Requirements

Students who are on academic probation for two consecutive semesters will not be allowed to continue in the program.

Upon entering the MA program, a student chooses an advisor in his or her concentration. The advisor will monitor the student's progress toward completion of the degree. Each semester the Graduate Studies Committee will examine the academic progress of all students for retention in the program.

If a student receives either two C's, one D, or one F grade in any English graduate level course, that student will be subject to review and could be dismissed from the program. In order to remain in good standing, all graduate students must maintain a 3.0 average in English Department courses.

III. MFA in Creative Writing Degree Program

The Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing provides studies in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, along with a variety of options for either a studio degree in Creative Writing, or a degree combining work in either the Department of English or other departments in which course work, or independent study, seems particularly pertinent to the student's creative thesis. A book-length thesis of publishable quality is required; it will be directed by a member of the MFA faculty. The MFA requires 48 graduate semester hours, with a 3.00 grade point average in all graduate courses.

A. Admission

1. An overall minimum grade point average of 2.75 at the undergraduate level.
2. An official undergraduate and if applicable graduate transcript sent to Graduate Admissions.
3. A portfolio of published or unpublished writing samples in the applicant's chosen genre (at least 20-25 pages of fiction, 10 poems, or 25 pages of nonfiction), demonstrating a potential for development to a professional standard of writing, should be submitted to the English Graduate Office along with a cover letter and two letters of recommendation. The writing sample will be evaluated by a committee of MFA faculty. The committee will recommend admission of those applicants with the highest demonstrated talent.
4. Baccalaureate degree in English or if baccalaureate is in another field, twelve (12) semester hours in upper division literature or creative writing courses with a minimum grade point average of 2.75 in these courses.
5. Graduate Record General Examination (typically a score of 450 on the verbal section is competitive).
6. Deadlines: for best consideration apply by January 15 for the following fall semester admission and October 15 for following spring semester. Applications may be considered later but prospective students applying by those dates have first priority.

B. MA Credit

Any applicant who holds an MA degree in English may apply up to a maximum of twenty-four (24) semester hours in English earned for that degree toward the MFA degree, with the approval of the graduate coordinator. A student's advisor will insure that the combination of MA credits and courses taken in the program has appropriate breadth. Credit previously earned at another institution must be presented for evaluation not later than the end of the student’s second semester of enrollment.

C. Program Requirements

All students must fulfill the 48-hour degree requirement from the Core Requirements in section 1 in combination with one area of specialization under the Additional Requirements in section 2: the Studio Option, the Literary Studies Option, The Creative/Professional Option, or the Cross-Disciplinary Option.

1. Core Requirements
   1. Writing Workshops and Forms Courses—A total of six courses, of at least 3 hours each, required:
      four courses from 7601, 7602, 7603, 7605, 7606, and 7607, at least 3 of which must be in chosen genre;
      one forms class (7470, 7471, or 7472) in chosen genre;
      and one cross-genre course: (7470, 7471, 7601, or 7602 for poets), (7472 or 7603 for fiction writers and creative nonfiction writers).
   2. Creative Writing Colloquium ENGL 7900. At least two sections of 7900 must be taken, each for at least 3 hours.
   3. Thesis (ENGL 7996), three (3) semester hours. NOTE: Students should familiarize themselves with the Thesis/Dissertation Preparation Guide before starting to write.
   4. A Comprehensive Exam based on a reading list formed by the student and the student's thesis director.
   5. Oral review of thesis.

NOTE: Although it is not a core requirement for the degree, all students receiving a Teaching Assistantship must take ENGL 7003 either before they become a teaching assistant or during their first semester of teaching. It is included as an alternative course in each of the options for additional requirements below.

2. Additional Requirements: 7 courses, of at least 3 hours each, chosen from one of the following options:
   1. Studio Option: twenty-one (21) hours chosen from the following:
      7470, 7471, 7472, 7475, 7485, 7601, 7602, 7603, 7604, 7605, 7606, and 7607.
      Students may take, as an alternative to replace up to 3 of these courses, an equivalent number of other courses (of 3 hours or more each) from other disciplines within the Department of English (this includes ENGL 7003, which is a requirement if the student receives a Teaching Assistantship).
   2. Literary Studies Option: twenty-one (21) hours made up of the following:
      at least 9 hours of Literature Courses (selected from ENGL 7000, 7020-39 (literature or criticism topics and approval of the Director of Creative Writing and the Coordinator of Graduate Studies), 7211, 7230, 7232, 7233, 7242, 7244, 7254, 7256, 7264, 7265, 7276, 7278, 7280, 7291, 7292, 7293, 7323, 7324, 7327, 7328, 7391, 7392, 7393, 7411, 7412, 7441, 7442, 7451, 7452, 7462, 7464, 7465, 7466, 7467, 7468, 7473, 7474, 7476, 7477, 7478, 7479, 7480, 7481, 7701, 7702);
      at least 3 hours of Theory of Writing and English Language/Linguistics Courses (selected from ENGL 7020-29, 7003, 7501, 7511 through 7517, 7531 through 7537, 7590, 7801, 7802, 7803, 7805, and 7810);
      up to 6 hours of ENGL 7475 Literary Editing;
      up to 6 hours of ENGL 7485 Literary Arts Programming;
      up to 9 hours of Forms Courses: ENGL 7470, 7471, 7472.
   3. Creative/Professional Writing Option: twenty-one (21) hours selected from the following:
      Professional Writing Courses (7013, 7014, 7805, 7806, 7807, 7808, 7809, 7810, 7816, 7818, 7862, and 7890);
      ENGL 7003;
      up to 6 hours each of Literary Editing or Arts Programming Courses (ENGL 7475, 7485);
      up to 6 hours of internship, ENGL 7811. NOTE: all internships must be pre-approved by the coordinator of the Creative Writing program along with another professor in the student’s primary genre.
   4. Cross-Disciplinary Option: twenty-one (21) hours selected from the following:
      up to 3 English graduate courses from any discipline (includes ENGL 7003);
      and at least 12 hours of graduate courses from another department: Art, History, Journalism, Theater, Foreign Languages, or other department in which course work, or independent study, seems particularly pertinent to the student’s creative thesis.
      Up to 9 of the 21 hours may be fulfilled by independent study in another department and/or internship hours, but all cross-disciplinary courses/independent studies/internships must be pre-approved by the coordinator of the Creative Writing program along with another professor in the student’s primary genre. Internships must be of a nature that will allow the student to participate in research that will form the basis of the student’s thesis.
      Note: Although taking all 12 hours of the cross-disciplinary minimum in only one other department is not required, it is recommended that the student focus primarily on one area or else have a clear rationale for fulfilling the 12-hour minimum in more than one cross-disciplinary area.

D. Retention Requirements

Upon entering the MFA program, a student chooses an advisor in his or her concentration. The advisor will monitor the student's progress toward completion of the degree. Each semester the Graduate Studies Committee will examine the academic progress of all students for retention in the program. If a student receives either two C's, one D, or one F grade in any English graduate level course, that student will be subject to review and could be dismissed from the program. In order to remain in good standing, all graduate students must maintain a 3.0 average in all courses. Students who are on academic probation for two consecutive semesters will not be allowed to continue in the program.

IV. PhD in English: Writing and Language Studies Degree Program

The PhD in English is designed to prepare scholars in widely recognized fields of English, as well as to prepare advanced writing specialists in the fields of business and industry. The structure of the program provides for four related concentrations (Composition Studies, Professional Writing, Applied Linguistics, Textual Studies) that offer students the professional flexibility that comes with competencies acquired through preparation in a broadly integrative discipline.

A. Admission

The following are required for admission to the PhD program in English for all applicants, whether applying with a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

1. Fulfillment of University requirements for admission to the Graduate School.
2. Official undergraduate and graduate transcript(s) sent to Graduate Admissions.
3. Successful candidates’ GRE verbal scores typically range between 550 and 700. In addition, international students for whom English is not their first language typically submit a score of 575 or above on paper (or computer equivalent) on the TOEFL exam.
4. A bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited college or university in the United States, usually with a major or a strong minor in English, or the equivalent of one of these degrees in another country.
5. Minimum undergraduate and graduate grade point average of 3.25 is expected.
6. Evidence of competence in writing in English as evidenced by a statement of purpose and a sample of the applicant’s best work.
7. Two letters of recommendation, preferably from college/university professors of English or comparable disciplines.
8. Program Admission: We normally evaluate applicants for the PhD program once each year in January for admission in the Fall semester. Although the Graduate Studies Committee may consider the application of a promising student at other times, January 15 is the deadline by which we must receive all the application materials of anyone who wishes to be considered for an assistantship for the following academic year.

B. Retention Requirements

Upon entering the PhD program, a student chooses an advisor in his or her concentration. The advisor will monitor the student’s progress towards completion of the degree. Each semester, the Graduate Studies Committee will examine the academic progress of all students for retention in the program. If a student receives either two C's, one D, or one F grade in any English graduate level course, that student will be subject to review and could be dismissed from the program. In order to remain in good standing, all graduate students must maintain a 3.0 average in English Department courses. Students who are on academic probation for two consecutive semesters will not be allowed to continue in the program.

C. Graduation Requirements

1. General Requirements
   1. A minimum of 72 hours of graduate credit beyond the bachelor’s degree is required. At least 60 hours of credit must be equivalent to 7000-level coursework or higher.
   2. Students entering the PhD program without a master’s degree may count up to 33 hours of graduate credit toward the 72 hours needed for the PhD. Only graduate hours that were not used for a previous graduate degree and that do not exceed university time restrictions can be transferred. Credit previously earned at another institution must be presented for evaluation not later than the end of the student’s second semester of enrollment.
   3. Master’s level courses will be examined on an individual basis for applicability to the program. Students with a master’s degree must complete at least 39 hours of graduate coursework beyond that master’s degree.
   4. No more than 9 hours granted for dissertation work may be used to attain the required 72 hours for the PhD.
2. Residency Requirements. The student must complete two successive terms full-time (excluding summer sessions) to fulfill residency requirements.
3. Core Requirements. Students must take a core of 12 hours in textual studies; 6 hours in linguistics; 6 hours in composition studies or professional writing; and 3 hours in English Studies Colloquium.
   1. PhD students pursuing an emphasis in Composition Studies must complete a 12-hour core consisting of ENGL 7/8003, 78801, 7/8806, and 7/8822.
4. Concentration Requirements (beyond Core Requirements)
   1. Composition Studies—21 hours in composition studies.
   2. Professional Writing—21 hours in professional writing.
   3. Applied Linguistics—21 hours in linguistics or ESL.
   4. Textual Studies—9 hours in theory/methodology, and an additional 12 hours in textual studies. The following courses will count as theory/methodology:
      • ENGL 8477 Textuality: History, Culture, Form
      • ENGL 8478 Textuality and Identity
      • ENGL 8480 Cultural Theories
      • ENGL 8701 History of Criticism & Theory
      • ENGL 8702 Contemporary Criticism & Theory
5. Electives Fifteen (15) hours approved by the advisory committee; six (6) may be taken outside the department.
6. Examination Requirements
   1. Qualifying Examinations—Students entering without a master’s degree in English or 30 hours of appropriate graduate work, as determined by the Graduate Coordinator, must take a qualifying examination the semester after accumulating 30 hours of graduate work through graduate transfer credit and/or graduate courses completed at The University of Memphis. Qualifying examinations are designed to ascertain that the range of knowledge is appropriate at this level. These written exams will be tailored to the individual student’s course of study. The Graduate Coordinator will appoint an appropriate committee with expertise in the course of study. The qualifying exams are equivalent to the MA comprehensive exams. The MA comprehensive exams test the student's course work; however, the MA comprehensive exams in Composition Studies and Professional Writing also include a reading list. Examinations are graded high pass, pass, or fail. Students who pass the exam will be allowed to advance to doctoral-level study. However, a student who fails one section of the qualifying examination will be given one opportunity during the same semester or not later than the following semester to retake that section with a different question. A student who fails more than one exam question will be given an opportunity to take a different exam no later than the following semester.
   2. Comprehensive Examinations—After completing the rest of their required courses, after satisfying their language and/or research requirement, and before they begin writing their dissertations, students must pass comprehensive examinations in accordance with concentration guidelines. The student must first form a comprehensive exam committee. The Ph.D. comprehensive exam committee for both the written and oral exams will consist of a minimum of four faculty members. The student will choose an advisor from his / her concentration who will be the chair of the committee. In consultation with the advisor, the student will choose two other members from the concentration and at least one faculty member from outside the concentration.
      There will be three written comprehensive exams and one oral exam.
      1. One four-hour proctored written exam will cover the Ph.D. student’s concentration. The objective of this exam is to demonstrate that the student has a command of 75-100 seminal texts, in his or her concentration, that are not, for the most part, included in the reading list for exam # 2. This list will be determined by each committee.
      2. A second proctored four-hour written exam will allow students to demonstrate that they have enough background / reading knowledge to qualify them to teach upper division and graduate courses in the student’s chosen area of specialization within the concentration. This area will be determined by the student in conjunction with his or her committee. The student will develop the reading list in conjunction with his or her advisor and / or committee, and the reading list for this portion of this exam will consist of between 50-75 texts (i.e., books, book chapters, and / or articles).
      3. A third written exam, a take-home exam, must consist of 3,500-5,000 words that test the student’s command of his or her knowledge of his or her proposed dissertation area. The objective of this exam is for the student to demonstrate that he or she has enough background / reading knowledge and an ability to write a sophisticated essay concerning a literature review of the student’s prospective dissertation area. This essay will cite at least 20-25 texts. The take-home exam should take no more than seven (7) days to complete.
         To allow time to study for the exams, students should take their first written exam within two semesters after completing all Ph.D. coursework (including the foreign language requirements). Students could then take one exam per week over three weeks. A student will have a maximum of two months to complete all of the comprehensive exams.
      4. After the written exams have been completed and graded, there will be a two-hour oral exam based upon the written exams.
      5. A student who fails one section of the comprehensive examination will be given one opportunity during the same semester or not later than the following semester to retake that section. A student who fails more than one section of the exam will be given an opportunity to take a different exam (with all new questions) no later than the following semester. A student who fails the second comprehensive exam will be dismissed from the program.
7. Language Requirements
   1. Students in Applied Linguistics and Textual Studies must demonstrate a reading knowledge of two foreign languages or fluency in one foreign language. Appropriate languages must be approved by the student's advisor and the graduate coordinator as relevant to the student's course of study.
   2. Students in Composition and Professional Writing must demonstrate competency with two research tools or analytic specialities, both of which must be directly relevant to the individual student's dissertation work and projected short-term professional goals. These tools or analytical specialities include a demonstrated level of competency in two foreign languages, fluency in one foreign language, or competency in one foreign language plus mastery of qualitative, quantitative, or historical research methodologies, or demonstrated competency with appropriate computer programs. See "Options for Fulfilling the Foreign Language Requirement," available from the department.
8. Dissertation Requirements
   1. Advisory Committee—The student is responsible for choosing an advisory committee composed of at least four members of the graduate faculty best qualified to help him or her conduct research for the dissertation. If the student’s research requires expertise in a discipline outside the Department of English, the student, in consultation with his or her advisory committee chair, may ask up to one faculty member outside the Department of English to be part of the committee.
   2. Research Proposal—When the student has passed the comprehensive examinations and has done extensive preliminary research, he or she must present and defend a research proposal before the advisory committee. That defense will be open to the entire academic community. The student must give a copy of the proposal to all committee members at least two weeks before the scheduled meeting. The advisory committee must approve the proposal before the student may proceed with the dissertation. NOTE: Students should familiarize themselves with the Thesis/Dissertation Preparation Guide before starting to write.
   3. Defense—The dissertation committee will schedule a defense of the completed dissertation. Both the chair of the advisory committee and the candidate must ensure adequate consultation with members of the dissertation committee well in advance of the defense date.

VI. Certificate Program in Teaching English as a Second/Foreign Language (TESL/TEFL)

The TESL/TEFL Graduate Certificate provides training to those interested in teaching English as a Second/ Foreign Language. The certificate is given for to those who complete the practical preparation needed to teach English both within and outside the United States to post-secondary students and adults. The specific courses for the certificate include the specific knowledge and skills specified for ESL teachers and identified by TESOL, Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Inc. Students have the option of completing the program on-line.

Note: The Certificate in Teaching of English as a Second/Foreign Language is not a program to prepare K-12 ESL teachers. Pre-service and in-service teachers seeking an ESL certificate and an add-on endorsement in ESL for K-12 should contact the College of Education for details.

A. Admission Requirements

1. Applicants should hold either an MA degree in any field or a BA degree in any field with a GPA of at least 2.75.
2. International students must have a TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based), or 79 (internet-based).
3. Applicants must submit a one-page personal statement and two letters of recommendation to the English Department.
4. Since 12 credit hours in the certificate program may also count toward the MA degree, it is expected that many fully-admitted students will earn the certificate on their way to the MA degree. Certificate students wishing to earn the MA must make formal application for the master's program following all guidelines specified by the English Department and the University.

B. Program Requirements

1. The certificate program requires completion of fifteen (15) semester credit hours.
2. Twelve (12) credit hours must be met by satisfactory completion of the following core courses:
   1. ENGL 7531 Theory and History of ESL (3 hours)
   2. ENGL 7532 Principles of Skills Assessment (3 hours)
   3. ENGL 7535 ESL Grammar (3 hours)
   4. ENGL 7530 Field Experience and Practicum in ESL (3 hours)
3. Three (3) elective hours may be selected from:
   1. ENGL 7533 Method/Techniques of ESL in K-12 (3 hours)
   2. ENGL 7536 Issues in Second Language Writing (3 hours)
   3. ENGL 7537 Issues in Second Language Reading (3 hours)
   4. ENGL 7538 Cultural Issues in ESL (3 hours)
   5. ENGL 6533 Issues and Techniques in English as a Foreign Language (3 hours)
4. Note: Those also seeking ESL add-on endorsement must complete ENGL 7533 and ENGL 7538. Praxis II for ESL is also required for the add-on endorsement.

C. Retention Requirements
Same as retention policies applicable to Department of English graduate degree programs.

D. Graduation Requirements
Relatively early in the semester in which they intend to graduate, certificate candidates must file an Intent to Graduate Card with the Graduate School and a Candidacy form with the Graduate Coordinator for English.

VII. Certificate Program in African American Literature

The African American Literature certificate provides training to students interested in teaching African American Literature. The goal of the training is to 1) provide students with the preparation they need to teach African American Literature, and 2) give official recognition of preparation to help students qualify for jobs both within and outside the United States.

A. Admission Requirements

1. Students eligible to take courses as non-degree seeking students at the University of Memphis can complete the certificate requirements.
2. Applicants should send a letter of intent and two letters of recommendation to the Department of English Graduate Office. Applicants need to apply to both the University of Memphis Graduate School and the Department of English Graduate Office.
3. An overall minimum grade point average of 2.75 in English or a related area is recommended at the undergraduate level.
4. Since six hours from the certificate program may count toward the M.A. or M.F.A. degrees, it is expected that many already-admitted students will earn the certificate on their way to the M.A. or M.F.A. degree. Such students wishing to earn the Certificate must notify the Department of English Graduate Coordinator in writing.

B. Program Requirements

1. The certificate program requires completion of fifteen (15) semester credit hours.
2. Twelve (12) credit hours must be met by satisfactory completion of any four (4) of the following core courses:
   1. ENGL 7325 African American Literature, 1930-1960 (3 hours)
   2. ENGL 7326 African American Literature of Memphis and the Mid-South (3 hours)
   3. ENGL 7327 Studies in Form and Genre: African American Literature (3 hours)
   4. ENGL 7328 Studies in Major Authors: African American Literature (3 hours)
   5. ENGL 7329 African American Literature, Beginnings to 1850 (3 hours)
   6. ENGL 7330 African American Literature, 1850-1900 (3 hours)
   7. ENGL 7331 Frederick Douglass (3 hours)
   8. ENGL 7332 Literature of the African Diaspora (3 hours)
   9. ENGL 7333 Amiri Baraka (3 hours)
   10. ENGL 7334 The Black Arts Movement (3 hours)
   11. ENGL 7335 African American Literature, 1989-Present (3 hours)
   12. ENGL 7336 African American Literary Theory (3 hours)
   13. ENGL 7465 African American Literature 1960 to 1988 (3 hours)
   14. ENGL 7468 Literature of the Harlem Renaissance (3 hours)
   15. ENGL 7469 African American Women Writers (3 hours)
3. Three (3) elective hours may be selected from one of the following courses, provided it has an African American Literature component:
   1. ENGL 7323 American Literature to 1865 (3 hours)
   2. ENGL 7324 American Literature, 1865-1914 (3 hours)
   3. ENGL 7391 Modern American Novel (3 hours)
   4. ENGL 7392 American Poetry (3 hours)
   5. ENGL 7393 American Drama (3 hours)
   6. ENGL 7464 Contemporary American Literature (3 hours)

C. Retention Requirements
Same as retention policies applicable to Department of English graduate degree programs.

D. Graduation Requirements
Relatively early in the semester in which they intend to graduate, certificate candidates must file an Intent to Graduate Card with the Graduate School and a Candidacy form with the Graduate Coordinator for English.

ENGLISH (ENGL)

†6500. Language Skills for Internationals. (3). Will not count towards a degree.

6533. Issues and Techniques in English as a Foreign Language. (3). Skills, background, and approaches needed to teach English outside the United States.

7000-8000. Literary Research. (3). Various approaches to literary scholarship and research methodology; introduction to professional standards, bibliographical methods, and procedures of scholarship and criticism. NOTE: This course is required for Literature majors and should be taken in the first year of graduate study.

7001-8001. Language and Composition. (3). Studies in the craft of composition, with focus upon sound editorial practice and the writing and analysis of the varieties of expository prose.

7003-8003. Theory and Practice in Teaching Composition. (3). Designed for graduate assistants teaching English 1101. Emphasis on the ways and techniques of teaching rudiments of English composition on college level. Required of and restricted to graduate teaching assistants.

†7004-8004. Internship for Graduate Teaching Assistants. (3). Supervision of and consultation with English teaching assistants. PREREQUISITES: ENGL 7003 or equivalent plus appointment as graduate teaching assistant in English. Will not count towards a degree.

†7005-8005. Reading for Comprehensives. (3). Arranged on an individual basis for English graduate students only. PREREQUISITE: Student must have completed required course work toward degree or be in the last semester of required course work. Will not count towards a degree.

†7006-8006. The English Profession. (3). Presentations relating to the profession of college teaching, including methods and means of research and publication in different fields of English. Will not count towards a degree.

†7007-8007. Teaching Skills for Graduate Assistants. (3). Overview and practical demonstrations of the art of teaching for graduate assistants. May be repeated for a maximum of 12 credit hours. Will not count towards a degree.

7012-8012. Seminar in Health Communication. (3). (Same as COMM 7012-8012). Examines current issues in health communication research, including patient-provider relationships, new technologies and health promotion, and health organizations. May be repeated for a maximum of 9 credit hours.

7013-8013. Workshop for Health Care Writing. (3). Textual and contextual analysis of the kinds of writing produced for expert audiences in the healthcare industry and the academic research community; practice in writing documents such as technical proposals, clinical research reports, FDA documentation, and papers for publication.

7014-8014. Workshop for Public Health Care Writing. (3). Theoretical understanding and skill-based practice in communicating healthcare information (patient education materials, public health care information, patient instructions) to a generally non-expert audience; rhetorical and analytical tools for shaping the information; practical skills for managing group projects and processes; and the opportunity to develop them in a workshop setting.

7020-49–8020-49. Special Topics in English. (3). Topics are announced in online course listings.

‡7100-8100. Independent Study. (1-3). Focuses on a selected topic dealing with language study or a literary form, theme, figure, or movement. Topic chosen by student and approved by student's advisor and Department Chair. Can be used only as an elective.

7211-8211. Medieval Literature. (3).

7230-8230. Chaucer. (3).

7232-8232. Shakespeare's Tragedies. (3).

7233-8233. Shakespeare's Comedies and Histories. (3).

7242-8242. English Renaissance Literature. (3).

7244-8244. Elizabethan and Jacobean Drama. (3).

7254-8254. English Literature of the Seventeenth Century. (3).

7256-8256. Milton. (3).

7264-8264. English Poetry and Prose, 1660-1800. (3).

7265-8265. Eighteenth Century British Novel. (3).

7276-8276. English Literature of the Romantic Period. (3).

7278-8278. Victorian Literature. (3).

7280-8280. Nineteenth Century British Novel. (3).

7291-8291. Modern British Novel. (3).

7292-8292. Modern British Poetry. (3).

7293-8293. Modern British Drama. (3).

7323-8323. American Literature to 1865. (3).

7324-8324. American Literature, 1865-1914. (3).

7325-8325. African American Literature, 1930-1960. (3). Focuses on the rise of African American modernism and its role in the development of protest literature of the 1960s; locates texts in multiple literary traditions, but concentrates on their relation to traditions of African American and Anglo-American writing.

7326-8326. African American Literature of Memphis and the Mid-South. (3). Focuses on the rise of African American literature from the cultural matrix that became Memphis, a gathering point and crossroads for African American writers of all genres from 1867 Reconstructionist writings to the present southern Hip Hop Writers movement.

7327-8327. Studies in Form and Genre: African American Literature. (3). Examination of the development of an African American literary genre such as African American poetry, the slave narrative, or the African American novel. Through study of both primary and secondary texts, students will gain an understanding of the historical context in which a specific African American literary genre emerged, as well as become conversant in the critical discussions in which these literary forms are defined and theorized. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours when topic changes.

7328-8328. Studies in Major Authors: African American Literature. (3). Study of the works of selected writers or cultural figures, as well as examination of scholarship framing the author’s career. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours when topic changes.

7329-8329. African American Literature, Beginnings to 1850 (3). Survey of African American literature from the Colonial Period to 1850.

7330-8330. African American Literature, 1850 to 1900 (3). Survey of African American literature from 1850-1900.

7331-8331. Frederick Douglass (3). Study of Frederick Douglass, including his slave narratives, autobiographies, letters, short fiction, and public speeches.

7332-8332. Literatures of the African Diaspora (3). Examination of literatures of the African diaspora outside of the U.S. May include Anglophone literatures, as well as literatures taught in translation. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours when topic changes.

7333-8333. Amiri Baraka (3). Study of the work of Amiri Baraka (LeRoi Jones), including poetry, drama, fiction, theory, music criticism, and autobiography.

7334-8334. The Black Arts Movement (3). Survey of Black Arts Movement, which encompassed the years 1960-1975 (approximately). May include study of novels, poems, plays, theoretical texts, and the visual arts, as well as examination of the community and cultural contexts within which these works were produced.

7335-8335. African American Literature, 1989 to the Present (3). Survey of African American writing from 1989 to the present, situated in relation to recent developments in theory and other arts as well as contemporary cultural and political contexts.

7336-8336. African American Literary Theory (3). Examination of the critical movements in African American literary theory from 1900 to present.

7350-8350. Rhetorical Theory. (3) (Same as COMM 7350-8350). History of rhetoric from the sophists through the present; includes readings from Isocrates, Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, Augustine, Erasmus, Ramus, Campbell, Blair, John Q. Adams, and others.

7371-8371. Rhetorical Criticism. (3). (Same as COMM 7371-8371). Examines principal modes of contemporary rhetorical analysis. May be repeated for a maximum of 9 credit hours.

7391-8391. Modern American Novel. (3).

7392-8392. Modern American Poetry. (3).

7393-8393. Modern American Drama. (3).

7411-8411. European Literature to the Renaissance. (3).

7412-8412. European Literature since the Renaissance. (3).

7432-8432. Quantitative Research Methods. (3). (Same as COMM 7432-8432). Survey of quantitative research in communication; practical experience in collecting and analyzing quantitative information.

7441-8441. European Fiction. (3). Movements and writers important to development of Continental Europe in the late eighteenth century to present.

7442-8442. Modern European Drama. (3).

7451-8451. Women and Literature. (3). Literature and criticism by and about women.

7452-8452. Biography: Process and Text. (3).

7462-8462. Contemporary British and/or Commonwealth Literature. (3). Authors, works, genres, and literary styles in development of contemporary British and Commonwealth literatures.

7464-8464. Contemporary American Literature. (3). Authors, works, genres, and literary styles in development of contemporary American literature.

7465-8465. African American Literature 1960 to 1988. (3). Major African American writers and movements from the 1960s up to 1988.

7466-8466. Contemporary World Literatures in Translation. (3). Contemporary non-English fiction in translation, primarily from non-Western European cultures; focus on major movements and writers.

7468-8468. Literature of the Harlem Renaissance. (3). Examination of poetry, prose, and drama from the period known as the "Harlem Renaissance" within the context of space, place, and geography.

7469-8469. African American Women Writers. (3). Examines the variety of ways black women writers have reclaimed the creative power of agency, emphasizing areas of difference as well as continuity within the African American literary tradition; combines considerations of context, both historical and political, with rigorous textual and theoretical analyses.

7470-8470. Forms of Creative Nonfiction. (3). Creative nonfiction with attention to historical roots and contemporary theory and practice. May be repeated up to 6 hours with change of topic/course content and approval of Program Coordinator.

7471-8471. Forms of Fiction. (3). A study of how fiction works through analyzing the short story, the novella, and the novel with attention to historical developments. May be repeated up to 6 hours with change of topic/course content and approval of Program Coordinator.

7472-8472. Forms of Poetry. (3). A study of meters, forms, and types of poetry in English with attention to the principal traditions and critical ideas associated with the writing of verse in English. May be repeated up to 6 hours with change of topic/course content and approval of Program Coordinator.

7473-8473. Verbal/Visual Texts. (3). May be repeated up to 6 hours with change of topic.

7474-8474. Cultural Texts. (3). May be repeated up to 6 hours with change of topic.

7475-8475. Literary Publishing. (3). Development of skills involved in editing, producing, and marketing a literary magazine; further training in the skills of publishing the student’s own literary texts. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours with change in course content. PREREQUISITE: Permission of instructor.

7476-8476. Modern Popular and Literary Tradition. (3). Examination of issues (e.g. gender, nationalism, punishment) as they are represented in the texts of high and low culture beginning in the modern period, emphasizing how such representation challenges the distinction between high and low culture. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours.

7477-8477. Textuality: History, Culture, Form. (3). Historical examination of ways in which texts are produced. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours.

7478-8478. Textuality and Identity. (3). Relationship between textuality and social groups. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours.

7479-8479. Studies in Cultural Figures. (3). Examination of selected writers or cultural figures with emphasis on biography, bibliography, and the shape of the writer’s or figure’s career. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours.

7480-8480. Cultural Theories. (3). Advanced social, political, and cultural theories that structure the understanding of cultural texts. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours.

7481-8481. Early Popular and Literary Traditions. (3). Examination of the relationship of texts of both high and low culture up to the modern period. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours.

7485-8485. Literary Arts Programming. (3). Development of skills involved in planning and administering community arts events and organizations; further training in the skills of author interviewing and book reviewing. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours. PREREQUISITE: Permission of instructor.

7501-8501. History of the English Language. (3).

7511-8511. Introduction to Modern English. (3). An introduction to the nature of language with emphasis on basic principles of English phonology and morphology with special attention to syntax; emphasis on collecting and handling of linguistic data for research purposes.

7512-8512. English Syntax. (3). Study of structures of Modern English from perspective of various contemporary theories to see how form and meaning are integrally related; emphasis on methods of investigating questions that need to be asked in exploring new territory.

7513-8513. Dialectology. (3). Dialects and varieties of American English; emphasis on methods of analyzing data and techniques of eliciting responses to gain information about word forms, syntax, and pronunciation; social implications.

7514-8514. Sociolinguistics. (3). Language use in relation to social interaction and power structures; inequality in varied environments; appraisal of methodologies used in gathering and analyzing data.

7515-8515. Language and Literature. (3). Application of linguistic theory to analysis of literature, nature of literary language, and linguistic options open to writers.

7516-8516. Phonetics and Phonology. (3). Articulatory and linguistic phonetics, phonetic transcription, suprasegmental phonology, overview of English phonology, and information on teaching English pronunciation to speakers of other languages.

7517-8517. Studies in Discourse Analysis. (3). Examination of the tools and methods used by various subdisciplines of English (linguistics, rhetoric, and literature) to analyze forms of discourse, including legal, medical, scientific, technical, business, literary, academic, and oral texts.

†7530-8530. Field Experience and Practicum in ESL. (3, 6). Experience in observing and teaching, peer teaching, and work with an English as a Second Language (ESL) specialist.

7531-8531. Theory and History of ESL. (3). Survey of relation of linguistic principles to second language acquisition.

7532-8532. Principles of Skills Assessment in ESL. (3). Application of theories of teaching second language skills with emphasis on testing in a second language.

7533-8533. Methods and Techniques of ESL in K-12. (3). Techniques and resources for working with children and adolescents for whom English is a second language.

7534-8534. Second Language Acquisition, Bilingualism, and Bidialectalism. (3). Theories of second language acquisition, development of second language proficiency, and research in bilingualism.

7535-8535. ESL Grammar. (3). Grammatical systems and strategies of Modern English; analysis of English structures that tend to cause difficulty for ESL/SESD speakers.

7536-8536. Issues in Second Language Writing. (3). Emphasis on research in second language writing, especially the role of psychological, social, and cultural influences on learning to write in a second language.

7537-8537. Issues in Second Language Reading. (3). Emphasis on how non-native speakers of English learn to read in English, the effect of context and culture on L2 reading, and culturally related responses to reading and literacy traditions.

7538-8538. Cultural Issues in English as a Second Language. (3). Impact of culture on non-English language background speakers as well as the particular aspects of U.S. culture and traditions needed for successful acculturation.

7590-8590. Applied and Theoretical Linguistics. (3). Intensive study of specialized areas in English linguistics. Maybe repeated up to 9 hours with change of topic.

7601-8601. Creative Nonfiction Workshop. (3). Emphasis on examination and discussion of creative nonfiction written by students. May be repeated 10 times for a maximum of 30 credit hours. PREREQUISITE: Permission of instructor.

7602-8602. Fiction Workshop. (3). Emphasis on the examination and the discussion of fiction written by students. May be repeated 10 times for a maximum of 30 credit hours. PREREQUISITE: Permission of instructor.

7603-8603. Poetry Workshop. (3). Emphasis on the examination and the discussion of poetry written by students. May be repeated 10 times for a maximum of 30 credit hours. PREREQUISITE: Permission of instructor.

7604-8604. Creative Writing Workshops Abroad. (3). Emphasis on examination and discussion of fiction, poetry, or creative nonfiction written by students. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours with change of genre. PREREQUISITE: permission of instructor.

7605-8605. Advanced Fiction Workshop. (3). Designed for candidates in MFA program in Creative Writing who have shown particular excellence in ENGL 7602. May be repeated 10 times for a maximum of 30 credit hours. PREREQUISITE: ENGL 7602.

7606-8606. Advanced Creative Non-Fiction Workshop. (3). Designed for candidates in MFA program in Creative Writing who have shown particular excellence in ENGL 7601. May be repeated for a maximum of 9 credit hours. PREREQUISITE: ENGL 7601.

7607-8607. Advanced Poetry Workshop. (3). Designed for candidates in MFA program in Creative Writing who have shown particular excellence in ENGL 7603. May be repeated for a maximum of 9 credit hours. PREREQUISITE: ENGL 7603.

7621-8621. Seminar in Argumentation. (3). (Same as COMM 7621-8621). Examines historical and contemporary argumentation theories and how those theories are incorporated into the teaching of oral argumentation and composition.

7701-8701. History of Criticism and Theory. (3). History of literary criticism and theory, classical to modern.

7702-8702. Contemporary Criticism and Theory. (3). Examination of major movements in contemporary literary criticism and theory.

7801-8801. History of Composition. (3). Focuses on history of composition as a discipline of its own; examines rise of teaching of composition from 18th century Scottish universities to the present and/or history of development of theoretical approaches toward teaching composition.

7805-8805. Foundations of Technical Writing. (3). Introduction to fields of scientific, and corporate writing; relevant theories in the fields, including classical rhetoric, modern discourse theory, cognitive psychology, and semiotics; extensive practice in writing and analyzing technical documents

7806-8806. Research Methods in Technical Writing. (3). Bibliographic techniques and an introduction to empirical methodologies for the study of the writing process and the testing of written documents.

7807-8807. Workshop: Government and Corporate Writing. (3). Textual and contextual analysis of the kinds of writing produced most often in government, law, and business; practice in writing correspondence reports, briefs, manuals, and proposals.

7808-8808. Workshop: Scientific and Technical Writing. (3). Textual and contextual analysis of the kinds of writing produced most often in industry and the academic research community; practice in writing documents such as technical proposals, reports, computer documentation, and papers for publication.

7809-8809. Technical Editing. (3). Current practices in editing and publication in the field of technical communication; topics include copy-editing, substantive editing, author-editor relations, and the production practice.

7810-8810. Document Design. (3). Theory of visual and written communication, focusing on the problem of how to integrate graphics and written text; practice in design and desktop publishing.

‡7811-8811. Internship in Professional Writing. (3). Assigned on the basis of qualifications and availability, student does a semester's work in technical, scientific, legal, government, or business writing and provides an extensive report and analysis. NOTE: Students who are on academic probation will not be allowed to register for this course. PREREQUISITE: ENGL 7/8805 and ENGL 7/8809

7812-8812. Memphis Urban Writing Institute I. (3). (Same as ICL 7304-8304). Intensive study of writing research, current writing practices, and issues and trends related to K-12 writing instruction. Will not count towards a degree.

7813-8813. Memphis Urban Writing Institute II. (3). (Same as ICL 7305-8305). Prepares K-12 teachers to improve their own writing practices and assume a leadership role in writing instruction in their schools. Will not count towards a degree.

7815-8815. Seminar in the History of Rhetoric. (3). Examines different periods and issues of rhetorical history each semester. One semester will consider Greek rhetoric (beginnings through the New Testament); another will consider Latin rhetoric (Cicero through the Renaissance); a third will cover Scottish, British, and American rhetoric. May be repeated for a maximum of 9 credit hours when topic changes.

7816-8816. Seminar in Theorists in Professional Writing. (3). A study of the works of major modern writing theorists in areas such as document design, collaboration, science, persuasion, editing, and writing process.

7817-8817. Seminar in Composition Theorists. (3). Readings from and study of major modern theorists in invention, argumentation, literacy, writing, and discourse.

7818-8818. Collaborative Writing. (3). Theoretical and research-based focus on managing and developing collaborative writing projects and processes.

7819-8819. Rhetoric of Science. (3). (Same as COMM 7819-8819). Examines the traditional equation of science with knowledge and the process by which historically based case studies of science writing and studies of technology can yield insight into the rhetorical dimensions of science.

7820-8820. Topics in Rhetoric. (3). (Same as COMM 7820-8820). Topical seminar devoted to an important aspect of the history, theory, or criticism of rhetoric. May be repeated for a maximum of 9 credit hours when topics change.

7822-8822. Contemporary Composition Theory. (3). Examines relationship between rhetorical and composition theory and contemporary philosophy, especially poststructuralism, neo-pragmatism, and hermeneutics.

7823-8823. Topics in Composition. (3). Topics can include invention, the writing process, writing assessment, style, and writing program administration. May be repeated for a maximum of 9 credit hours when topics change.

7862-8862. Writing Technical Manuals. (3). Focus on theories of manual writing, including minimal and cognitive approaches, with discussion of learning strategies and usability studies.

7890-8890. Topics in Technical Writing. (3). Intensive study of specialized areas in technical writing. May be repeated for a maximum of 9 credit hours when topics change.

7900. Creative Writing Colloquium. (3). A course in the preparation for the MFA thesis and the MFA comprehensive exam. NOTE: May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours, but only three hours with any one professor may be applied toward the degree; recommended to be taken in the last semester of regular course work and first semester of thesis work.

†7996. Thesis. (1-6).A prospectus for the thesis must be approved by the student's advisor and the department chair before the student registers for this course. The completed thesis must be approved by at least two readers. NOTE: Students in Professional Writing must pass their comprehensive examination before registering for thesis hours and have the option of writing or producing a project or portfolio.

† 7997. Portfolio. (3). A course for MA students in Professional Writing who choose to produce a project or portfolio instead of a thesis. Before registering for the course, students must pass their comprehensive examination and have a prospectus for the portfolio or project approved by their advisor and the coordinator of graduate studies.

8900. English Studies Colloquium. (3). Defines and compares the history, research methodologies, and current issues of each of the concentrations in the doctoral program to provide integrative understanding of the discipline, and guide the student toward preparing and defending the dissertation proposal. NOTE: Student must pass PhD comprehensive exam before taking this course.

†9000. Dissertation. (1-9). No more than 9 hours may be applied toward the degree.

†Grades of S, U, or IP will be given.
‡Grades of A-F, or IP will be given.