English

College of Humanities
Dean: Paul Sherwin

Department of English Language and Literature
HUM 289
415-338-2264
Chair: Stephen E. Arkin

Program Coordinators and Undergraduate Advisers:
Composition—Sugie Goen, Deborah Swanson
ESL—Lisa Heyer
Language Studies—Rachelle Waksler, Troi Carleton
Literature—Loretta Stec

Graduate Coordinators:
Composition—Jan Gregory
Linguistics—Rachelle Waksler
Literature—William Christmas
TESOL—May Shih

Faculty

Professors—Arkin, Breen, Brogan, Brown, Chan, J., Doub, Earthman, Gillotte, Green, Gretton, Jain, Keroes, Kohn, Krasny, Langton, Lucas, Lyles, McKay, Middlebrook, Peel, Porter, Renaker, Scovel, Shih, Sommers, Swanson, Tuma, Voloshin, Waksler, Weinstein, Weltner, Whalley, Zimmerman

Associate Professors—Avery, Carleton, Christmas, Kwok, Nakayama, Stec, Schoerke

Assistant Professors—Goen, Lockey, Paulson, Roberge

Programs

B.A. in English: Concentration in Individual Major
B.A. in English: Concentration in Language Studies
B.A. in English: Concentration in Literature
Minor in English and American Literature
Minor in English Language Studies
M.A. in English: Concentration in Composition
M.A. in English: Concentration in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
M.A. in English: Concentration in Linguistics
M.A. in English: Concentration in Literature
Certificate in Teaching of Composition
Certificate in Teaching Post-Secondary Reading

Program Scope

The B.A. in English typically includes introductory course work in the study of language, the principles of critical investigation and critical writing, and the various methods of literary and/or language study. The requirements for each concentration are intended to make each student familiar with one of the principal areas of English studies, and to show how other areas of English studies can illuminate his or her area of concentration.

The M.A. in English with Concentration in Composition addresses the need for professionalization of writing instruction, drawing on recent research into the composing process and into the unique characteristics of written English. The concentration emphasizes theory, research, and practice in the teaching of writing at advanced secondary, community college, and college levels. It builds upon a pioneering program designed to train teachers of composition at San Francisco State and provides professional preparation for writing teachers and supervisors, and a rigorous scholarly foundation for students preparing for doctoral work in composition or adult literacy.

The Master of Arts in English with Concentration in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages is offered as a result of a local, national, and international demand for persons prepared to perform various services in English as a foreign or second language. This concentration includes work in literature and foreign languages, with optional electives in education and the social sciences, as well as specialized work at an advanced level in linguistics and language teaching. The concentration provides training for teachers and a suitable background for supervisors and others responsible for the preparation of materials and courses of study in English as a foreign or second language. Completion of the M.A. with a concentration in TESOL may not fulfill the requirements for teacher credentialing in the State of California; some California credentials may require additional course work and/or examinations.

The M.A. in English with Concentration in Linguistics provides students with a solid grounding in the tools of language analysis. The course offerings in contemporary linguistic theory cover a broad spectrum of the levels of linguistic structure: phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, discourse analysis, psycholinguistics, and sociolinguistics. The program provides background for teachers of English at the secondary and community college levels, for other specialists in education, and for those who wish to pursue more advanced studies. Since the program allows considerable choice in course work beyond a basic set of core requirements, the student in consultation with an adviser can plan a program to suit individual interests and career requirements.

The M.A. in English with Concentration in Literature develops professional skills, ensures breadth of knowledge, and provides opportunities for specialization. Broader relationships are studied in the survey, period, and genre courses; narrower, deeper investigations are undertaken in the seminars. The thesis explores critical possibilities well beyond the range of the seminar paper. It measures the candidate's ability to isolate and thoroughly examine a particular literary problem, theme, or idea.

The Certificate in the Teaching of Composition has been designed as a quick, economical means of attaining proficiency in the teaching of composition at senior high school, community college, college, and adult levels. It is aimed at both experienced and aspirant teachers who wish to study the practice of teaching composition without the theoretical and research background obtained in the M.A. in English: Concentration in Composition.

The Certificate in the Teaching of Post-Secondary Reading enables prospective and already practicing post-secondary teachers to attain proficiency in the teaching of reading at community college, college, and adult levels. Requirements for teaching reading in the community colleges (Assembly Bill 1725) specify that new instructors must possess a master's degree in education with a specialization in reading, or a master's in English or TESOL with additional certification in the teaching of reading.

Career Outlook

The English major can lead to a career in teaching as well as in professional fields such as law, publishing, information science, and business.

Students completing the M.A. in Composition typically either go on to doctoral work with a view to teaching at a four-year institution or enter the community-college job market. At the university level, specialists in composition and rhetoric are in increasing demand as researchers and directors of undergraduate writing programs. Two-year colleges are increasingly recognizing the need for professional training in the teaching of composition and are hiring accordingly.

The Master of Arts with Concentration in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages prepares students specifically to teach English to non-native speakers of the language. Most graduates of the program become TESOL classroom teachers in adult education classes, public schools, intensive language programs, and colleges either in the United States or foreign countries. Others choose jobs in related areas such as program administration, curriculum design, materials writing, and teacher training.

The Master of Arts in Linguistics prepares students for a variety of teaching and research positions in which the emphasis is on the structure of language. Graduates of the program may teach English language or writing, work in the fields of speech production or speech recognition, or go on to further study in linguistics or related disciplines.

While the M.A. in Literature is specifically designed to prepare a student for a career in teaching literature in community colleges or high schools in the U.S. or overseas, it has a far broader application. Any career requiring communication, research or analytic skills, literacy, a careful scholarly approach and a broad understanding of human values may use this program as a base. Those include publishing, editing, media, journalism, technical writing, government service, law, and administrative or research work in business or industry.

The Certificate in the Teaching of Composition prepares students for teaching composition at the advanced secondary, community college, and college levels. Many students in M.A. programs other than composition take the certificate as a means of preparing themselves for teaching positions in two-year colleges, recognizing that other degree concentrations in English may not make them sufficiently marketable. In addition a number of two-year college and high school English teachers take the courses to develop their expertise in composition.

The Certificate in Teaching Post-Secondary Reading enables prospective and already practicing post-secondary teachers to develop their ability to meet specific individual professional needs in the area of basic literacy and reading instruction. This certificate prepares students for teaching positions in the community colleges and community agencies where specialized background and techniques are necessary.

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN ENGLISH

General Information

Students who are considering teaching in the secondary schools should see a departmental credential adviser before planning their program. Specific courses and an assessment of competencies are required for admission to the Secondary Education Credential program. Students should also contact the Student Services Office in HSS 244, (415) 338-7038, regarding teaching credential information.

English majors are required to complete a 39-unit program consisting of fifteen units of core requirements and additional requirements in an area of concentration.

English courses normally earn three units of credit. However, some courses which fulfill requirements for the major are variable unit courses and may earn four or five units. For further information on how to apply these additional units to completion of the major, see the elective unit section under each concentration, pick up a Literature Course Classification Guide (available in the English Department), and consult with your adviser.

The basic requirements for the B.A. in English can be met by completing any one of the following areas of concentration. Guidelines for the patterns of additional requirements for each concentration, including the Individual Major, are available in the department office. In addition students must take one critical writing course which includes an introduction to literature; typically this requirement will be met by students taking English 214 to fulfill university requirements. But for students not taking English 214, one of the following must be included on their program: English 418 or English 411 (foreign students only). English 50, 114, 214, 410/414 cannot be counted for credit in the major.

Nine units of work in lower division courses may be accepted for credit in the major upon consent of an adviser.

Nine units of literature classes from other departments (such as Comparative and World Literature) may be accepted for credit in the major upon consent of an adviser.

On-line course descriptions are available.

MINOR IN ENGLISH AND AMERICAN LITERATURE

MINOR IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE STUDIES

GRADUATE PROGRAMS IN ENGLISH

Advising is central to the program. Students must see their advisers to shape their programs initially, to gain approval for course choices, and to prepare for the oral examination. Please contact the graduate secretary, English, for more detailed advising information.

All M.A. candidates who wish to receive the Single Subject Teaching Credential concurrently with the M.A. should confer with an appropriate adviser in the College of Education.

On-line course descriptions are available.

MASTER OF ARTS IN ENGLISH: CONCENTRATION IN COMPOSITION

Admission to Program

Applicants should have an undergraduate major in English. Applicants without an undergraduate major in English may be admitted conditionally but must complete twelve units (upper division or graduate) of British and/or American literature, including a course in Shakespeare, before filing the Graduate Approved Program. ENG 657 is a prerequisite to all courses in the program except ENG 700, 706, and 800.

It is expected that a student completing this program is able to write prose publishable in academic journals.

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Level One: satisfactory performance in ENG 657. Level Two: satisfactory completion of ENG 890.

Master's Examinations. Failure of these examinations does not disqualify the candidate unless the examining committee so directs. The candidate may take the examinations twice, and if failing both times, will be disqualified from the graduate program.

NOTE: Prerequisite to ENG 704 is ENG 657, passed with a grade of B or better; prerequisite to ENG 716 is ENG 704, passed with a grade of B or better; prerequisite to ENG 890 is ENG 700, passed with a grade of B or better.

MASTER OF ARTS IN ENGLISH: CONCENTRATION IN TEACHING ENGLISH TO SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES

Admission to Program

Prerequisites: In order to be fully classified, students must meet the conditions below:

• Linguistics/Language Studies—If not waived based on previous course work, students must pass equivalency examinations (administered at SFSU) or take the following at SFSU: ENG 421, 424, 425, and 426 (12 units).
• Literature—Students must have already taken equivalent courses or take at SFSU six upper division or graduate units in British, American, or other literature in the English language.
• Foreign Language Prerequisite Requirement—One semester's work (three to five units) of one foreign language is required, to be taken concurrently with ENG 426, Second Language Acquisition. Both native and non-native speakers of English must fulfill this requirement. For non-native speakers of English, the foreign language can be English or another language.

English 421 and 424 may be taken concurrently with English 730. English 425 and 426 must be completed prior to English 730. All linguistics/language studies courses must be taken for a letter grade, and students must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA in these courses and no grade lower than a B- to continue in the program. Literature courses may be taken for a letter grade or credit if the courses selected permit the grading option desired.

Students whose native language is not English and whose education was outside the United States must present evidence of a TOEFL score of 570 (computer-based TOEFL: 230) or higher.

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Level One: Both native and non-native speakers of English must pass the Graduate Essay Test (GET) or successfully complete the appropriate graduate writing course (ENG 670, CHS 514, or EDUC 614) before enrolling in ENG 730 and subsequent core courses. This test is given one to three weeks prior to the beginning of classes each semester. (Consult the Testing Center about dates and fee.) Level Two: Satisfactory performance in ENG 891.

Teaching Experience

Students who have fewer than two years of ESL/EFL teaching experience are required to get teaching experience before enrolling in ENG 733, Student Teaching. This requirement may be fulfilled by (a) enrolling in ENG 726, (b) an internship at the American Language Institute, or (c) approval by an adviser of sufficient prior teaching experience.

Foreign Language Requirement. For native speakers of English, one semester's work (3-5 units), or its equivalent, in a non-Indo-European language is required in order to complete the M.A. with a Concentration in TESOL. With the approval of an adviser, an Indo-European language which differs considerably from English (e.g., Farsi, Hindi) may be substituted. American Sign Language (ASL) may also be used to fulfill this requirement. For non-native speakers of English, the foreign language requirement is waived. (However, note that the Foreign Language Prerequisite Requirement applies to all.)

Culminating Experience. Either the Master's Examinations or a Master's Thesis must be successfully completed by all candidates for the degree. The oral and written comprehensive examinations test the ability of students to integrate the knowledge and experience they have acquired in this field. The examinations are on the content areas covered in the program with an emphasis on methodological facets of TESOL. The candidate may take the examinations twice and, if failing both times, will be disqualified from the graduate program.

A thesis, which investigates a subfield of inquiry within TESOL, must have the recommendation and approval of two faculty thesis advisers. All SFSU specifications for completion of a master's thesis must be met. Upon completion of the thesis, the student must pass an oral defense.

MASTER OF ARTS IN ENGLISH: CONCENTRATION IN LINGUISTICS

Admission to Program

Prerequisites: In order to be fully classified, students must have already taken the equivalents or take at SFSU the following:

• Linguistics/Language Studies: ENG 421, 424, 425, and 426 (twelve units) or pass equivalency examinations taken at SFSU.
• Six upper division or graduate units in literature in the English language.
• Ten units of a modern European language.
• A non-Indo-European language concurrent with ENG 426.

All linguistics/language studies courses must be taken for a letter grade, and students must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA in these courses with no grade lower than a B- to continue in the program.

Students whose native language is not English and whose education was outside the United States must present evidence of a TOEFL score of 570 (computer-based TOEFL: 230) or higher.

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Level One: both native and non-native speakers of English must pass the Graduate Essay Test (GET) or successfully complete the appropriate graduate writing course (ENG 670, CHS 514, or EDUC 614) before enrolling in core courses. This test is given one or two weeks prior to the beginning of classes each semester. (Consult the Testing Center about dates and fee.)  Level Two: Satisfactory performance in either the M.A. thesis or in ENG 899.

Master's Examinations. Failure in these examinations does not disqualify the candidate unless the examining committee so directs. The candidate may take the examinations twice, and, if failure occurs both times, will be disqualified from the graduate program.

Foreign Language Requirement. Ten semester units, or the equivalent, of a modern European language, plus a minimum of one semester or the equivalent of a non-Indo-European language, concurrent with ENG 426, is required of all candidates for the Master of Arts in English with Concentration in Linguistics. The student has the alternative of satisfying the foreign language requirement by examination. Units earned in foreign language study are not to be included in the student's Graduate Approved Program.

MASTER OF ARTS IN ENGLISH: CONCENTRATION IN LITERATURE

Admission to Program

Applicants must meet general university requirements as stated in this Bulletin. Admission to the literature concentration is competitive.

In addition to the materials sent to the graduate admissions office, the applicant must submit the following items to the English Department in order to be considered for admission: (1) English Department application; (2) at least two letters of recommendation; (3) one official set of transcripts; (4) writing sample (five page critical essay). Contact the graduate program assistant for the department application and department deadlines.

Applicants who meet the following requirements are eligible for admission to classified status: completion of an undergraduate English literature major, comparable to the major program at this university, and achievement of a GPA of at least 3.0 in the major.

Applicants who do not meet the above requirements may be accepted conditionally and can achieve classified status as follows:

• With subject matter deficiency: a 3.0 or higher GPA in an undergraduate major other than English with either some courses in literature (with a 3.0 or higher GPA) or a background showing personal interest in literature. The applicant will be directed by a graduate adviser to complete course work in this university's undergraduate major, but such courses may not be credited toward the M.A. program.
• With a grade point average deficiency: a GPA of 2.5 to 2.9 in an undergraduate English major. The applicant is required to take nine to twelve units of upper division literature courses, with a GPA of at least 3.0 attained in them, before being admitted to graduate work. These courses may be credited toward the M.A. program. If the required GPA is not attained, the student will be disqualified from the M.A. program in literature.
• With both subject matter and GPA deficiency: a course record as described above in "subject matter deficiency" with a GPA of 2.5 to 2.9. The applicant is in conditional status as described in "grade point average deficiency" while earning undergraduate major units as described in "subject matter deficiency."

Denial. Applications that do not permit admission under the above rules must be denied unless the Graduate Literature Curriculum Committee makes an exception.

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Level One: satisfactory performance on papers in ENG 741. Level Two: satisfactory completion of the M.A. thesis.

Program

The program consists of ten courses (minimum 30 units) of which seven courses (minimum 21 units) must be graduate level courses. Of these graduate courses, six (18 units) must be English Department courses, of which three (9 units) must be seminars from the 742-790 range. Students may choose either an emphasis in General Studies or Special Studies. See guidelines for each emphasis after the Program Requirements.

NOTE: English courses usually earn three units of credit; however, some upper division courses which fulfill requirements for the M.A. in Literature may be offered for three to five units.

NOTE: ENG 704, 705, 715, and 716 may not be included among the electives. Related courses from other departments (up to six units with approval of adviser) may be included.

All students follow the General Studies Emphasis unless the Special Studies Emphasis is chosen before completing four of the required ten course (see below).

General Studies Emphasis

Students are required to take one course minimum of 3 units) from those listed below under the category Literary History, and one course (minimum 3 units) from those listed under the category Literary Theories and Methods. The department recommends that students take two from each category, and that at least one from each category be a graduate seminar (711, 712, 742-800).

Literary History

Undergraduate courses: 501, 503*, 504, 508*, 509, 510, 512*, 514, 516, 520, 521*, 522, 525*, 526, 527, 528, 529, 531, 532, 533, 535, 546, 550, 551, 552, 553, 554, 555, 556, 557, 558, 559, 570, 571, 573, 574, 580, 583, 584, 589;

Graduate seminars: 711, 712, 750-789;

Or classes approved by an adviser.

Note: the asterisked courses might be conceivable as Literary Theory and Methods depending on what approach is being taken by the instructor. These are the "Studies in ..." format courses, and can count under Literary Theory and Methods only with the permission of an adviser.

Literary Theories and Methods

Undergraduate courses: 429, 600, 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606, 607, 608, 610, 611, 612, 613, 614, 615, 616, 618, 630, 631, 633, 634, 635;

Graduate seminars: 742, 744, 745, 746, 747, 748, 790, 800;

Or classes approved by an adviser.

Early Period Requirement. Three of the 30 units in the General Studies Emphasis must be chosen from courses in literature before 1800. The early period requirement may be met by courses that also fulfill the above listed program requirements (for example, the early period course might also count as the Literary History or Literary Theories and Methods required course, or it might count as an elective). Thus, the early period requirement is a distribution requirement, not a course requirement.

Special Studies Emphasis

The special studies emphasis is available to students whose proposed fields of study (for example, cultural criticism or reader response approaches to literature) do not fall readily within the Literary History and Literary Theories and Methods rubrics of the general studies emphasis. Students who wish to focus on special studies must define their course of study in a written proposal submitted early in their graduate career and before completing four of the required ten courses. The proposal must be approved and signed by a graduate adviser and by the English Department's graduate literature program coordinator.

The number of courses and seminars, graduate level courses, and electives selected individually by the student and proposed for the special studies emphasis must conform to the program requirements (see above).

Culminating Experience

Master's Thesis, Prospectus, and Oral Examination required for the General Studies and Special Studies Emphases. The prospectus and the oral are scheduled before a student begins writing the thesis. The prospectus is a written statement, usually including the controlling purpose of the thesis; the selection of literary materials; the relevant scholarship and criticism; and the value and interest of the study. The oral is a one-hour examination on the prospectus conducted by the two thesis readers.

A candidate who has failed the oral examination may not take it again before the next regular semester. A candidate who failed the examination twice will not be permitted to continue in the program for the M.A. in Literature. Consult The Prospectus and the Thesis handout available in the English Office for more information.

CERTIFICATE IN THE TEACHING OF COMPOSITION

Admission to Program

Every graduate student in English is invited to complete a twelve-unit sequence designated as the Certificate in the Teaching of Composition. For M.A. in Literature candidates, this sequence is separate from the 30-unit literature requirement. Unclassified graduate students and candidates for degrees in other departments may be accepted into the program with the approval of the English Department.

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Level One: the writing proficiency of students is monitored in ENG 657. Level Two: satisfactory completion of ENG 704 and ENG 716.

NOTE: Students may enroll in any of the courses listed above, even if they do not wish to complete the sequence. ENG 657 is prerequisite to ENG 704 and 705. ENG 704 is prerequisite to ENG 716. Courses applied to the certificate may not be taken CR/NC and a grade of A or B must be earned in each.

The certificate program is coordinated by the director of composition, the department chair, and the dean of the Graduate Division. For more information, contact the secretary, Composition Office (338-2128).

CERTIFICATE IN TEACHING POST-SECONDARY READING

Admission to the Program

This twelve-unit program is open to all graduate students in English. For M.A. in Literature candidates, the sequence of courses is separate from the 30-unit Literature requirement. Unclassified graduate students and candidates for degrees in other departments may be accepted into the program with approval of the English Department. Candidates pursuing the Certificate or M.A. in the Teaching of Composition may concurrently complete the requirement for the Certificate in Post-Secondary Reading.

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Level One: the writing proficiency of students is monitored through evaluation of written assignments in ENG 701 and 715. Level Two: satisfactory completion of written assignments in ENG 702.

Satisfactory completion of ENG 657 is prerequisite to many of the courses in this certificate. Check the on-line course descriptions for all prerequisites. ISED 706 meets the requirement for the Preliminary Designated Subjects Credential in Adult Education.