MA Program Overview - Track A and Track B Requirements

Program Overview Dr. Ayelet Ben-Yishai MA Advisor September 2019

The Thesis Track (Track A) program requires 32 semester hours of course work and a thesis paper and is normatively 3 years long. Thesis Track students must complete 8 courses in the English Department, as follows: 1 required course: Approaches to Research in English Literature 7MA courses, in two of which they must submit a seminar paper. Seminar papers can only be submitted in MA seminar courses (not in BA seminars) In addition thesis track students must complete one year of study in a modern European or classical foreign language or demonstrate equivalent competence.

The Exam Track (Track B) program requires 36 semester hours of course work and a comprehensive examination and is normatively 2 years long. Exam Track students must complete 9 courses in the English Department, as follows: 1 required course: Approaches to Research in English Literature 8 MA courses, in two of which they must submit a seminar paper. Seminar papers can only be submitted in MA seminar courses (not in BA seminars)

In addition, all MA students must Attend at least 4 lectures offered in the Department Seminar in each of the first two years.

Semester A Complete 8-12 credits (including Approaches) Semester B Complete 16-24 credits Year 1 Any required prerequisites (Theory) Foreign Language Sem A or FL exemption (thesis track) Foreign Language Sem B or FL exemption (thesis track) Year 2 Complete 24-32 credits Decide on Thesis/Exam track secure advisor Complete 32-36 credits Prepare for thesis/exam see next slide

Thesis Finalize topic with advisor Exam Finalize topic with advisor, prepare lists by June (During summer) Study for exam Take exam in late October Year 2 Sem B Write thesis proposal By end of October Y2 Proposal approved Year 3 By end of October Y3 Thesis writing Thesis submitted

Completing 16 credits (4 courses, not including Approaches) with a grade point average of 86 or above. A grade of 85 (or more) on an MA seminar paper. Securing the consent of an advisor. Meeting with MA advisor. Bring transcripts with you. Register with Department administrator (Sharon).

An advisor can be any lecturer or professor in the department. An advisor should be someone who specializes in your chosen topic and with whom you have a good rapport. Approach the advisor as early as possible and ask for their consent to be your advisor in this process. For exam track: notify the MA advisor and the department coordinator in writing once the lecturer has agreed to be your advisor. Make sure that you set clear goals and expectations and especially deadlines with your advisor.

The list will be determined by the advisor, in consultation with the student. The list will usually focus on one genre in one time period though comparative, cross-period, single-author, or genre lists may be approved. The student will usually have had at least one course on this subject. Pick something that you like! The list is comprised of 2 lists: Primary texts equivalent of 12 book-length works Secondary texts critical/theoretical books and articles equivalent of 15 articles. List can include texts previously studied in courses, but should also contain some new ones.

Total of 4-6 hours (depending on advisors instructions) Spread over 2 days, usually within one week. (Mador Bchinot administers the exam and sets the dates) The advisor can determine what material (books, notes) are allowed in the exam. Make sure you determine this before you begin studying. Student is entitled to aMoed B only in the case of failure. Each part of the exam is usually made up of two to three essay questions. The questions can be either about the primary texts or about the secondary texts/ theory, but at least some (if not all) must show an ability to combine primary / secondary texts. The advisor will write the exam so that the student will have a reasonable choice of questions to answer.

The exam will be graded by the students advisor and another (anonymous) lecturer in the department (or, in some cases, outside the department), as determined by the MA committee. Criteria for exam evaluation Full response to the question (~25%) Thorough knowledge of primary texts (~20%) Knowledge of secondary texts and theoretical terminology (~20%) Formulating an argument & supporting evidence (~25%) English mechanics and style (~10%)

An extended research project, usually consisting of an analysis of more than one text. 60-80pp (equivalent of 3-4 seminar papers). Graded by advisor and second (anonymous) reader, as determined by the MA committee.

(length ~10pp) Title Research question Preliminary hypothesis Brief Literature review (state of the field) Preliminary Criticism Theory Primary texts - Short description & Rationale Methodology / Justification Chapter Breakdown Outline or short description Example of analysis Works cited / Preliminary Bibliography

Ask the MA advisor: Office hours: Sundays 13:30-14:30 Room 1602A By email: abenyishai@univ.haifa.ac.il Ask Sharon in the Department Office