English

Robert H. Brinkmeyer

Department Chair

333 Kimpel Hall

479-575-4301

E-mail: brinkm@uark.edu

M. Keith Booker

Director of Graduate Studies

333 Kimpel Hall

479-575-4301

E-mail: English@cavern.uark.edu

Web: http://www.uark.edu/depts/english/

• Distinguished Professor Guilds
• Professors Booker, Brinkmeyer, Burris, Candido, Cochran,
     DuVal, Giles, Heffernan, Montgomery, Quinn, Sherman, Talburt
• Associate Professors Adams (C.), Hays, Jimoh, Kahf,
     Marren, Slattery, Stephens
• Assistant Professors Adams (R.), Armstrong, Cohen, McCombs
• Adjunct Assistant Professor McCray
• Writer in Residence Gilchrist

Degrees Conferred:

M.A., Ph.D. (ENGL)
M.F.A. in Creative Writing (CRWR) (See Creative Writing)

Areas of Concentration: Master of Arts – history and criticism of literature in English; Master of Fine Arts – drama, fiction, poetry; Doctor of Philosophy – Medieval, Renaissance to 1660, Restoration and eighteenth century, nineteenth century, twentieth century; American literature to 1900, twentieth-century American literature; linguistics; and criticism.

Prerequisites to Degree Program: The following materials must be submitted to the Director of Graduate Studies, Department of English, by applicants to the M.A. and Ph.D. programs:

1. Application for Admission to Graduate Study in English. The form is available from the Director of Graduate Studies.

2. Graduate Record Examination scores on the Aptitude Test (verbal and quantitative) for applicants to the M.A. and Ph.D. programs. GRE score on the Advanced Test in Literature also required for applicants to the Ph.D. program.

3. Scores on other standardized tests, if available. TOEFL scores if applicable.

4. Complete transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work.

5. Three letters of recommendation from former teachers, supervisors, or employers.

6. A writing sample, preferably a piece of literary criticism.

Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree: In addition to the general requirements of the Graduate School, the department stipulates that the following conditions be met:

1. Each master’s candidate must present 30 hours of course work or 24 hours of course work and a thesis. Master’s candidates intending to enter the Ph.D. program are required to choose the thesis option. The pedagogy course required of all teaching assistants will not count toward the 30 hours of course and/or thesis work. A maximum of one three-hour course at the 4000-level may be taken for credit; an additional three-hour course at the 4000-level may be taken for credit with permission of the Director of Graduate Studies. Each candidate must satisfy the department’s course distribution requirement by taking the following courses:

a. At least one three-hour course in critical theory or a course having a large theoretical component.

b. At least two three-hour courses, in two of the following three areas: Medieval Literature and Culture; Renaissance Literature and Culture; Restoration and Eighteenth-Century British Literature and Culture.

c. At least three three-hour courses, in at least three of the following five areas (at least one course must be in British literature and at least one course must be in American literature): Nineteenth-Century British Literature and Culture; Twentieth-Century British Literature and Culture; American Literature and Culture before 1900; Twentieth Century American Literature and Culture; World Literature and Culture in English.

d. At least two seminars (which may overlap the above requirements).

2. Each master’s candidate must demonstrate a reading knowledge of a language other than English that is relevant to the study of literature in English. French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Ancient Greek, and Latin are the normally acceptable choices to meet the foreign language requirement, although other languages may be used with the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies. This requirement should be met as early as possible in the student’s program of study, and in no case later than one week prior to the end of classes in the semester in which the student intends to graduate. (For details about how this requirement may be satisfied, see section two under “Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy degree,” below.)

3. Each master’s candidate must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.33 for the total number of hours presented for the degree. The grade point will be determined on the following scale: A, 4.00; A-, 3.66; B+, 3.33; B, 3.00; etc. The plus and minus ratings are recorded on the student’s records in the Department of English only and do not appear on the official records in the Registrar’s Office.

4. Each master’s candidate must pass a comprehensive examination (non-thesis option) or a formal thesis defense.

Requirements for the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing: For a description of the requirements for the M.F.A. in creative writing, see page 74.

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree: In addition to the general requirements of the Graduate School, the department stipulates that these requirements be met:

1. A student who begins doctoral study with an M.A. from another university or with an M.F.A. must take any courses required for the M.A. here which were not taken elsewhere, but these deficiency courses may, with the consent of the student’s adviser, count toward the 24-hour course requirements.

2. Each doctoral candidate is required to demonstrate a reading knowledge of at least one language other than English that is relevant to the study of literature in English. French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Ancient Greek, and Latin are the normally acceptable choices to meet the foreign language requirement, although other languages may be used with the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies. Doctoral candidates can meet this requirement by documenting that they have met a foreign language requirement at the University of Arkansas or another accredited M.A. program. This requirement should be met as early as possible in the student’s program of study, preferably before registration for doctoral dissertation hours. Students who elect the medieval period as the field of specialization must also demonstrate a reading knowledge of Latin, Old English, and Middle English.

   For either the M.A. or Ph.D. degree, reading knowledge must be demonstrated in one of the following ways:

a. The student passes a test of reading knowledge as administered through the Department of Foreign Languages and Literature or by a member of the faculty of another department in the University who is competent to assess reading knowledge in the given language. The Department of Foreign Languages administers testing either in conjunction with Ph.D. reading courses (course number 3063) in French, German, Latin, or Spanish; or through individual examinations. Students wishing to be examined in a foreign language should contact the Department of Foreign Languages well before the test to familiarize themselves with the different requirements of each language program.

b. The student presents evidence of having completed the equivalent of one semester of graduate or upper-level undergraduate study in foreign language (in the given language) with a grade of “B” or above at an accredited college or university.

c. The student documents that the language in question is his/her native language and that he/she has native fluency in the language.

3. By the time they take the candidacy examinations, students must have completed the Graduate School residence requirement and the departmental course requirements or be registered for courses, which, if passed, will complete these requirements.

4. To strengthen and support a field of specialization, each student may take up to six hours of graduate course work in other departments. Subject to the approval of the student’s adviser, these hours will count toward the 24-hour course requirement for the degree.

5. Students in the doctoral program are required to complete 24 semester hours of course work for graduate credit beyond the M.A. degree. This work must include at least one course in critical theory and at least four seminar courses, at least one of which must be in the field of specialization.

6. With the consent of the Graduate Studies Committee, students will declare a field of specialization. This declaration will be made prior to the completion of the candidate’s first year of doctoral studies; it must be made before arranging to take the written candidacy examinations. The field of specialization may be a period (Medieval, Renaissance to 1660, Restoration and Eighteenth-Century British, Nineteenth-Century British, Twentieth-Century British, American to 1900, Twentieth-Century American) or an area (Southern Literature and Culture, World Literature and Culture in English, American Multiculturalism, Gender Studies, Film and Media Studies, Literary Criticism and Theory, Popular Culture and Popular Genres, and Literary History). In conjunction with their committee and with the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies, students may propose additional fields if their particular projects do not fit within any of the suggested areas.

7. Students must notify the Director of Graduate Studies in the department of their intention to take the candidacy examinations a month before the end of the term preceding the date of the examinations, which will be scheduled by the student in consultation with the committees administering the examinations. At the time they take the candidacy examinations, students must have a grade-point average of 3.50 for courses taken beyond the master’s degree. The grade point will be on the following scale: A, 4.00; A-, 3.66; B+, 3.33; B, 3.00; etc. The plus and minus ratings are recorded on the student’s record in the Department of English only and do not appear on the official record in the Registrar’s Office.

8. Each student must pass the following candidacy examinations:

a. A take-home written examination in the field of specialization.

b. A three-hour oral examination on a specific topic within the student’s broad field, approved jointly by the student and the exam committee. Students may retake only once any examination they fail.

9. Upon successfully completing the candidacy exams, each student must submit a dissertation proposal to be discussed and approved in a formal meeting with the student’s dissertation committee.

10. Within the time limits specified by the Graduate School, each student must submit a dissertation acceptable to the student’s dissertation committee.

11. Each student must pass a dissertation defense administered by the student’s dissertation committee.

Secondary Emphasis in Rhetoric and Composition: Students earning the Doctor of Philosophy in English or the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing may choose Rhetoric and Composition as a field of secondary emphasis. Students who choose this option are required to do the following:

1. Take ENGL 5003 Composition Pedagogy, ENGL 5973 or 6973 Topics in Rhetoric and Composition, and ENGL 4003 English Language and Composition for Teachers or COMM 5303 Classical Rhetoric.

2. Teach five different writing courses offered by the English Department.

3. Pass a one-hour oral examination in the area.

ENGL4003 English Language and Composition for Teachers (FA)  Subject matter and methods of approach for the teaching of composition in high school.

ENGL4053 Introduction to Literary Theory (IR)  A historical survey of literary theory from Plato onwards.

ENGL4073 Film Writing Workshop (IR)  A workshop in writing the screenplay with close attention given to student manuscripts and adaptations. Prerequisite: advanced standing.

ENGL4303 Introduction to Shakespeare (FA, SP, SU)  (Formerly ENGL 3653) Extensive reading in Shakespeare’s comedies, histories, tragedies, and nondramatic poetry.

ENGL4533 Studies in Literature and Gender (IR)  The study of a special topic involving literature and gender. Content varies. May be repeated.

ENGL4543 Studies in Literature and Multiculturalism (IR)  The study of literature and multiculturalism, with attention to particular themes, genres, authors, literary movements, historical moments, or other organizing principles. At least one major paper will be required. Content varies. May be repeated.

ENGL4563 Topics in Major Authors (IR)  The concentrated study of works by one or more major authors. At least one major paper will be required. Content varies. May be repeated.

ENGL4603 Special Studies (IR)  Concentrated study of a specific topical area related to literature and culture but not otherwise encompassed by the curriculum. Content varies. May be repeated.

ENGL5003 Composition Pedagogy (FA)  Introduction to teaching college composition. Designed for graduate assistants at the University of Arkansas.

ENGL5013 Creative Writing Workshop (IR)  

ENGL5023 Writing Workshop: Fiction (IR)  

ENGL5033 Writing Workshop: Poetry (IR)  

ENGL5043 Translation Workshop (IR)  Problems of translation and the role of the translator as both scholar and creative writer; involves primarily the discussion in workshop of the translations of poetry, drama, and fiction done by the students, some emphasis upon comparative studies of existing translations of well-known works. Primary material will vary. May be repeated for 15 hours. Prerequisite: reading knowledge of a foreign language.

ENGL5063 Internship in Publishing (IR)  Practical experience and instruction in copyediting and stylistics, promotional copywriting, and production. Conducted at the University of Arkansas Press and designed for students who plan careers in publishing. May be repeated for 6 hours.

ENGL507V Creative Non-Fiction Workshop (1-3) (IR)  The theory and practice of the “New Journalism” with a study of its antecedents and special attention to the use of “fictional” techniques and narrator point of view to make more vivid the account of real people and real events.

ENGL5083 Professing Literature (IR)  An introduction to the profession of literary scholarship and the teaching of literature at the college level.

ENGL510V Readings in English and American Literature (1-6) (IR)  Open to Honors candidates and graduate students. May be repeated.

ENGL5143 English Teachers’ Workshop: Literature (IR)  Primarily for high school teachers of English. Review of principles of literary criticism, literary movements; intensive study of representation works from each genre.

ENGL5173 Studies in Medieval Literature and Culture (IR)  Subject matter changes depending on student interest and faculty expertise. May be repeated. May be repeated for 12 hours.

ENGL5183 The Structure of Present English (SP)  Structural analysis of the language.

ENGL5203 Introduction to Graduate Studies (IR)  Students learn to carry out and report on literary research. Practical assignments introduce them to the reference collections, professional journals, and microform texts with which scholars work. Meanwhile, advanced explication and composition exercises work on perfecting the students’ control over the design and style of the articles they write.

ENGL5223 Studies in Renaissance Literature and Culture (IR)  Subject matter changes depending on student interest and faculty expertise. May be repeated. May be repeated for 12 hours.

ENGL5233 Form and Theory of Translation (IR)  An examination of the principal challenges that confront translators of literature, including the recreation of style, dialect, ambiguities, and formal poetry; vertical translation; translation where multiple manuscripts exist; and the question of how literal a translation should be.

ENGL5243 Special Topics (IR)  Designed to cover subject matter not offered in other courses. May be repeated.

ENGL5263 Form and Theory of Fiction: I (IR)  Such aspects of the genre as scene, transition, character, and conflict. Discussion is limited to the novel.

ENGL5273 Form and Theory of Poetry: I (IR)  An examination of perception, diction, form, irony, resolution, and the critical theories of the major writers on poetry, such as Dryden, Coleridge, and Arnold.

ENGL5283 Form and Theory of Fiction: II (IR)  Second part of the study of the techniques of fiction. Discussion is limited to the short story. Prerequisite: ENGL 5263.

ENGL5293 Form and Theory of Poetry: II (IR)  Second part of the study of the techniques of poetry; independent study of a poet or a problem in writing or criticism of poetry. Prerequisite: ENGL 5273.

ENGL5303 Seminar in Restoration and Eighteenth-Century British Literature a nd Culture (IR)  Subject matter changes depending on student interest and faculty expertise. May be repeated. May be repeated for 12 hours.

ENGL5313 Introduction to Literary Theory (IR)  An advanced introductory survey of a number of theoretical approaches to literature.

ENGL5403 Studies in Nineteenth-Century British Literature and Culture (IR)  Subject matter changes depending on student interest and faculty expertise. May be repeated. May be repeated for 12 hours.

ENGL5603 World Literature and Culture in English (IR)  Subject matter changes depending on student interest and faculty expertise. May be repeated. May be repeated for 12 hours.

ENGL5623 The Bible as Literature (IR)  The several translations of the Bible; its qualities as great literature; its influence upon literature in English; types of literary forms.

ENGL5633 English Drama from Its Beginning to 1642 (IR)  Early forms, Tudor drama, Shakespeare’s contemporaries, and Stuart drama to the closing of the theatres.

ENGL5653 Shakespeare: Plays and Poems (IR)  

ENGL569V Seminar in Film Studies (1-9) (IR)  Research, discussion; papers on a variety of film genres and areas including the new American film, the science-fiction film, directors, film comedy, the experimental film, criticism, the film musical. (Same as COMM 569)

ENGL5703 Studies in American Literature and Culture Before 1900 (IR)  Subject matter changes depending on student interest and faculty expertise. May be repeated. May be repeated for 12 hours.

ENGL5723 Studies in Literature and Culture of the American South (IR)  Subject matter changes depending on student interest and faculty expertise. May be repeated. May be repeated for 12 hours.

ENGL5803 Studies in Twentieth-Century American Literature and Culture (IR)  Subject matter changes depending on student interest and faculty expertise. May be repeated. May be repeated for 12 hours.

ENGL5903 Studies in Twentieth-Century British Literature and Culture (IR)  Subject matter changes depending on student interest and faculty expertise. May be repeated. May be repeated for 12 hours.

ENGL5923 Film and Media Studies (IR)  Subject matter changes depending on student interest and faculty expertise. May be repeated. May be repeated for 12 hours.

ENGL5933 Studies in Popular Culture and Popular Genres (IR)  Subject matter changes depending on student interest and faculty expertise. May be repeated. May be repeated for 12 hours.

ENGL5943 Studies in Criticism and Literary Theory (IR)  Subject matter changes depending on student interest and faculty expertise. May be repeated. May be repeated for 12 hours.

ENGL5953 Studies in Literary History (IR)  Subject matter changes depending on student interest and faculty expertise. May be repeated. May be repeated for 12 hours.

ENGL5973 Studies in Rhetoric and Composition (IR)  Subject matter changes depending on student interest and faculty expertise. May be repeated. May be repeated for 12 hours.

ENGL6113 Seminar in Medieval Literature and Culture (IR)  Subject matter changes depending on student interest and faculty expertise. May be repeated. May be repeated for 12 hours.

ENGL6193 The Development of English (FA)  Intensive course in the fundamentals of linguistic study and their application to the history of English from prehistoric times to the present.

ENGL6203 Seminar in Renaissance Literature and Culture (IR)  Subject matter changes depending on student interest and faculty expertise. May be repeated. May be repeated for 12 hours.

ENGL6243 Seminar in Special Topics (IR)  Subject matter changes depending on student interest and faculty expertise. May be repeated. May be repeated for 12 hours.

ENGL6443 Seminar in Nineteenth-Century British Literature and Culture (IR)  Subject matter changes depending on student interest and faculty expertise. May be repeated. May be repeated for 12 hours.

ENGL6513 Seminar in Twentieth-Century British Literature and Culture (IR)  Subject matter changes depending on student interest and faculty expertise. May be repeated. May be repeated for 12 hours.

ENGL6613 Seminar in World Literature and Culture in English (IR)  Subject matter changes depending on student interest and faculty expertise. May be repeated. May be repeated for 12 hours.

ENGL6713 Seminar in Restoration and Eighteenth-Century British Literature a nd Culture (IR)  Subject matter changes depending on student interest and faculty expertise. May be repeated. May be repeated for 12 hours.

ENGL6723 Seminar in American Literature and Culture Before 1900 (IR)  Subject matter changes depending on student interest and faculty expertise. May be repeated. May be repeated for 12 hours.

ENGL6733 Seminar in Literature and Culture of the American South (IR)  Subject matter changes depending on student interest and faculty expertise. May be repeated. May be repeated for 12 hours.

ENGL6803 Seminar in Twentieth-Century American Literature and Culture (IR)  Subject matter changes depending on student interest and faculty expertise. May be repeated. May be repeated for 12 hours.

ENGL6933 Seminar in Popular Culture and Popular Genres (IR)  Subject matter changes depending on student interest and faculty expertise. May be repeated. May be repeated for 12 hours.

ENGL6943 Seminar in Literary Theory (IR)  Subject matter changes depending on student interest and faculty expertise. May be repeated. May be repeated for 12 hours.

ENGL6953 Seminar in Literary History (IR)  Subject matter changes depending on student interest and faculty expertise. May be repeated. May be repeated for 12 hours.

ENGL6973 Seminar in Rhetoric and Composition (IR)  Subject matter changes depending on student interest and faculty expertise. May be repeated. May be repeated for 12 hours.

ENGL698V Master’s Thesis (1-6) (FA, SP, SU)  

ENGL699V Master of Fine Arts Thesis (1-6) (FA, SP, SU)  

ENGL700V Doctoral Dissertation (1-18) (FA, SP, SU)