English and African American Literature

School/College:  College of Arts and Sciences
Degree(s) Offered: Master of Arts
Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Pauline Uwakweh    Email:  pauwakwe@ncat.edu
Department Chair: Dr. Faye Spencer Maor     Email:  fsmaor@ncat.edu               

The Master's programs in English offer students a wide range of skills and knowledge in the areas of African American Literature, English Education and Teaching. The programs prepare students to pursue graduate studies at the doctoral level in English or Education. They also prepare students for teaching at secondary and college levels. Specifically, the M.A. degree provides students the opportunity to explore critical theories and hone their critical reading, thinking and writing skills. It also offers a solid foundation for those who may choose to seek a Ph.D. in such disciplines as African American, Comparative, and English Literatures as well as African American, Africana, Cultural, Ethnic, Gender, Subaltern and Women’s Studies. 

Additional Admission Requirements

  1. Completion of prerequisite courses for those whose bachelor’s degree is not in English
  2. GRE Test Scores

Program Outcomes:

The objective of the M.A. program in English and African American literature is to provide in-depth training in English Education; English, American and African American literature; folklore and language. The department introduces students to a diverse range of graduate-level work, including critical theory, graduate literary studies, and contemporary practices in grammar and rhetoric. Students' exposure to various genres and works of African American, American and English literatures will provide a substantial foundation for continued study at the doctoral level as well as preparation for various professional and teaching contexts.

 

Degree Requirements

The M.A. in English and African American Literature requires a total of 30 semester hours of coursework.

Subject Core Course(s)

  • ENGL 700 (3 credit hours)
  • ENGL 753 (3 credit hours)
  • ENGL 755 (3 credit hours)

Subject Area(s)

•           African American Literature (12 credit hours)

•           English and American Literature(9 credit hours)

•           Thesis hours(3 credit hours)

Curriculum Guide for M.A. Degree in English and African American Literature

Non-Thesis Option: 30 semester hours required

•           Required: ENGL 700, 753, 755

•           Twelve (12) hrs. from the following: ENGL 631 , 650, 652, , 654, 656, 658, 660, 744, 760, 762, 764, 766

•           Nine (9) hrs. from the following: ENGL 603, 628, 631, 653, 672, , 701, 703, 704, 705, 706, 707, 709, 712, 721, 722, 723, 724, 730, 731, 744

Thesis Option: 30 semester hours required

•           Required: ENGL 700, 753, 755

•           Nine (9) hrs. from the following: ENGL 631, 650, 652, , 654, 656, 658, 660, 744, 760, 762, 764, 766

•           Nine (9) hrs. from the following: ENGL 603, 628, 631, 653, 672, 701, 703, 704, 705, 706, 707, 709, 712, 721, 722, 723, 724, 730, 731, 744

•           Thesis Research: ENGL 775 (3 semester hours)

Courses for Senior Undergraduates and for Graduates

•           ENGL 600 Language Variations in American English

•           ENGL 603 Introduction to Folklore

•           ENGL 626 Children’s Literature

•           ENGL 627 Young Adult Literature

•           ENGL 628 The American Novel

•           ENGL 631 Black Women Writers of Africa and the Diaspora

•           ENGL 650 African American Folklore

•           ENGL 652 African American Drama

•           ENGL 653 Teaching English as a Second Language

•           ENGL 654 African American Novel I

•           ENGL 656 African American Novel II

•           ENGL 658 African American Poetry I

•           ENGL 660 African American Poetry II

•           ENGL 672 Directed Study in English

Graduate Courses: Open Only to Graduate Students

•           ENGL 700 Introduction to Critical Theory

•           ENGL 701 English Renaissance Literature

•           ENGL 703 Seventeenth-Century English Literature

•           ENGL 704 Eighteenth-Century English Literature

•           ENGL 705 Romantic Literature

•           ENGL 706 Victorian Literature

•           ENGL 707 Modern British Fiction

•           ENGL 709 Medieval Literature

•           ENGL 710 Language Arts for Elementary Teachers I

•           ENGL 711 Secondary Education: The Classroom as Clinic

•           ENGL 712 Teaching of Freshman Writing

•           ENGL 721 Major American Writers I

•           ENGL 722 Major American Writers II

•           ENGL 723 Modern American Poetry

•           ENGL 724 American Multi-Cultural Literature

•           ENGL 726 From Pen to Power: Empowerment through Enhancement of Critical Thinking and     Writing Behaviors

•           ENGL 730 Directed Study in English

•           ENGL 731 Technology in Teaching and Research in the Humanities

•           ENGL 744 Postcolonial Novel and Theory

•           ENGL 753 Introduction to Graduate Literary Studies

•           ENGL 754 History and Structure of the English Language

•           ENGL 755 Contemporary Practices in Grammar and Rhetoric

•           ENGL 760 Non-Fiction by African American Writers

•           ENGL 762 Short Fiction by African American Writers

•           ENGL 764 African American Aesthetics

•           ENGL 766 Seminar in African American Literature and Language

•           ENGL 770 Seminar

•           ENGL 775 Thesis Research

Requirements specific to specializations/program options/tracks:

Thesis Option:            

MS: Thesis Option: 39 coursework hours

Comprehensive Exam, if appropriate:       Required

 

Assistantships

Assistantships are offered on a limited basis. Please contact the Graduate Coordinator for further information.

Directory of Faculty

  • Ahmad, Anjail R, Associate Professor , B.A., Agnes Scott College; M.A., New York University; Ph.D.., University of Missouri-Columbia
  • Bonner, Patricia E, Professor, B.A., University of Alabama; M.A., Atlanta University; Ph.D.., University of South Florida
  • Brown, Jane G, Associate Professor, B.A., Converse College; M.A., Vanderbilt University; M.A. and Ph.D.., University of Dallas
  • DePolo, Jason, B.A., Indiana University of Pennsylvania; M.A., North Carolina A&T State University; Ph.D.., Indiana University of Pennsylvania
  • Garren, Samuel B, Professor, B.A., Davidson College; M.A., Ph.D.., Louisiana State University
  • Greene, Michael, Professor, B.A., Duke University; M.A., Ph.D.., Indiana University
  • Kamara, Gibreel M, Associate Professor, B.A., M.A., North Carolina A&T State University; Ed.D., Temple University
  • Kulii, Elon, Professor, B.A., Winston-Salem State University; M.S., North Carolina A&T State University; Ph.D., Indiana University
  • Levy, Michele F, Professor, B.A., George Washington University; M.A. and Ph.D.., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • Maor, Faye S, Professor and Chairperson, B.S., Florida A&M University; M.A., University of Colorado at Boulder; Ph.D.., University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
  • Meyerson, Gregory D, Associate Professor, B.A., Miami University of Ohio; M.A. and Ph.D., Northwestern University
  • Nieman, Valerie, Assistant Professor, B.S., West Virginia University; M.F.A., Queens University of Charlotte
  • Nwankwo, Chimalum, Professor, B.A., University of Nigeria, Nsukka; M.F.A., M.A., and Ph.D.., University of Texas at Austin
  • Parker, Jeffrey D, Associate Professor, B.A., University of  North Carolina at Greensboro; M.A., North Carolina &T State University; Ph.D.., University of South Carolina
Uwakweh, Pauline, Assistant Professor, B.A., University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria; M.A., University of Calabar, Nigeria; Ph.D.., Temple University. 



The Master's programs in English offer students a wide range of skills and knowledge in the areas of African American Literature, English Education and Teaching. The programs prepare students to pursue graduate studies at the doctoral level in English or Education. They also prepare students for teaching at secondary and college levels. Specifically, the M.A. degree provides students the opportunity to explore critical theories and hone their critical reading, thinking and writing skills. It also offers a solid foundation for those who may choose to seek a Ph.D. in such disciplines as African American, Comparative, and English Literatures as well as African American, Africana, Cultural, Ethnic, Gender, Subaltern and Women’s Studies. 

 

 

Additional Admission Requirements 

 

  1. Completion of prerequisite courses for those whose bachelor’s degree is not in English

     

  2. GRE Test Scores

     

  1.  

     

Program Outcomes:  

 

The objective of the M.A. program in English and African American literature is to provide in-depth training in English Education; English, American and African American literature; folklore and language. The department introduces students to a diverse range of graduate-level work, including critical theory, graduate literary studies, and contemporary practices in grammar and rhetoric. Students' exposure to various genres and works of African American, American and English literatures will provide a substantial foundation for continued study at the doctoral level as well as preparation for various professional and teaching contexts.

 

 

 

Degree Requirements  

 

The M.A. in English and African American Literature requires a total of 30 semester hours of coursework.

 

 

 

Subject Core Course(s)  

 

  • ENGL 700 (3 credit hours)

     

  • ENGL 753 (3 credit hours)

     

  • ENGL 755 (3 credit hours)

     

 

 

Subject Area(s)

 

•           African American Literature (12 credit hours)

•           English and American Literature(9 credit hours)

•           Thesis hours(3 credit hours)

 

 

Curriculum Guide for M.A. Degree in English and African American Literature

 

Non-Thesis Option: 30 semester hours required

 

•           Required: ENGL 700, 753, 755

•           Twelve (12) hrs. from the following: ENGL 631 , 650, 652, , 654, 656, 658, 660, 744, 760, 762, 764, 766

•           Nine (9) hrs. from the following: ENGL 603, 628, 631, 653, 672, , 701, 703, 704, 705, 706, 707, 709, 712, 721, 722, 723, 724, 730, 731, 744

Thesis Option: 30 semester hours required

 

•           Required: ENGL 700, 753, 755

•           Nine (9) hrs. from the following: ENGL 631, 650, 652, , 654, 656, 658, 660, 744, 760, 762, 764, 766

•           Nine (9) hrs. from the following: ENGL 603, 628, 631, 653, 672, 701, 703, 704, 705, 706, 707, 709, 712, 721, 722, 723, 724, 730, 731, 744

•           Thesis Research: ENGL 775 (3 semester hours)

 

 

Courses for Senior Undergraduates and for Graduates

 

•           ENGL 600 Language Variations in American English

•           ENGL 603 Introduction to Folklore

•           ENGL 626 Children’s Literature

•           ENGL 627 Young Adult Literature

•           ENGL 628 The American Novel

•           ENGL 631 Black Women Writers of Africa and the Diaspora

•           ENGL 650 African American Folklore

•           ENGL 652 African American Drama

•           ENGL 653 Teaching English as a Second Language

•           ENGL 654 African American Novel I

•           ENGL 656 African American Novel II

•           ENGL 658 African American Poetry I

•           ENGL 660 African American Poetry II

•           ENGL 672 Directed Study in English

 

 

Graduate Courses: Open Only to Graduate Students

 

•           ENGL 700 Introduction to Critical Theory

•           ENGL 701 English Renaissance Literature

•           ENGL 703 Seventeenth-Century English Literature

•           ENGL 704 Eighteenth-Century English Literature

•           ENGL 705 Romantic Literature

•           ENGL 706 Victorian Literature

•           ENGL 707 Modern British Fiction

•           ENGL 709 Medieval Literature

•           ENGL 710 Language Arts for Elementary Teachers I

•           ENGL 711 Secondary Education: The Classroom as Clinic

•           ENGL 712 Teaching of Freshman Writing

•           ENGL 721 Major American Writers I

•           ENGL 722 Major American Writers II

•           ENGL 723 Modern American Poetry

•           ENGL 724 American Multi-Cultural Literature

•           ENGL 726 From Pen to Power: Empowerment through Enhancement of Critical Thinking and     Writing Behaviors

•           ENGL 730 Directed Study in English

•           ENGL 731 Technology in Teaching and Research in the Humanities

•           ENGL 744 Postcolonial Novel and Theory

•           ENGL 753 Introduction to Graduate Literary Studies

•           ENGL 754 History and Structure of the English Language

•           ENGL 755 Contemporary Practices in Grammar and Rhetoric

•           ENGL 760 Non-Fiction by African American Writers

•           ENGL 762 Short Fiction by African American Writers

•           ENGL 764 African American Aesthetics

•           ENGL 766 Seminar in African American Literature and Language

•           ENGL 770 Seminar

•           ENGL 775 Thesis Research

 

 

Requirements specific to specializations/program options/tracks:

 

Thesis Option:            

MS: Thesis Option: 39 coursework hours

 

 

 

Comprehensive Exam, if appropriate:       Required

 

 

Assistantships 

 

Assistantships are offered on a limited basis. Please contact the Graduate Coordinator for further information.

 

 

 

Directory of Faculty

  • Ahmad, Anjail R, Associate Professor , B.A., Agnes Scott College; M.A., New York University; Ph.D.., University of Missouri-Columbia
  • Bonner, Patricia E, Professor, B.A., University of Alabama; M.A., Atlanta University; Ph.D.., University of South Florida
  • Brown, Jane G, Associate Professor, B.A., Converse College; M.A., Vanderbilt University; M.A. and Ph.D.., University of Dallas
  • DePolo, Jason, B.A., Indiana University of Pennsylvania; M.A., North Carolina A&T State University; Ph.D.., Indiana University of Pennsylvania
  • Garren, Samuel B, Professor, B.A., Davidson College; M.A., Ph.D.., Louisiana State University
  • Greene, Michael, Professor, B.A., Duke University; M.A., Ph.D.., Indiana University
  • Kamara, Gibreel M, Associate Professor, B.A., M.A., North Carolina A&T State University; Ed.D., Temple University
  • Kulii, Elon, Professor, B.A., Winston-Salem State University; M.S., North Carolina A&T State University; Ph.D., Indiana University
  • Levy, Michele F, Professor, B.A., George Washington University; M.A. and Ph.D.., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • Maor, Faye S, Professor and Chairperson, B.S., Florida A&M University; M.A., University of Colorado at Boulder; Ph.D.., University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
  • Meyerson, Gregory D, Associate Professor, B.A., Miami University of Ohio; M.A. and Ph.D., Northwestern University
  • Nieman, Valerie, Assistant Professor, B.S., West Virginia University; M.F.A., Queens University of Charlotte
  • Nwankwo, Chimalum, Professor, B.A., University of Nigeria, Nsukka; M.F.A., M.A., and Ph.D.., University of Texas at Austin
  • Parker, Jeffrey D, Associate Professor, B.A., University of  North Carolina at Greensboro; M.A., North Carolina &T State University; Ph.D.., University of South Carolina
  • Uwakweh, Pauline, Assistant Professor, B.A., University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria; M.A., University of Calabar, Nigeria; Ph.D.., Temple University.
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