English
Department of English Language and Literature
Dunton Tower 1812
Tel.: 613-520-2311
carleton.ca/english
M.A. English
About the Program
Carleton's MA in English literature offers students the opportunity to explore the challenges and rewards of graduate school in a collegial and stimulating environment. The program effectively prepares students for the doctorate in English literature and may serve as a conduit to our own PhD in the Production of Literature, which concentrates on the production, circulation, and reception of texts in their institutional, technological, and discursive contexts. For those who do not want to pursue a PhD, the MA degree gives a competitive edge in the job market, whether in business, government, or the non-profit sector—in areas as diverse as publishing, human resources, communications, public relations, and marketing. Students with an MA also have an academic advantage when applying for professional qualifications and training in teaching, journalism, law, and library sciences.
Academic Regulations
See the General Regulations section of this Calendar.
A standing of B- or better must be obtained in each credit counted towards the master's degree.
Admission Requirements
The minimum admission requirement for the master's program is a B.A. (Honours) (or the equivalent) in English language and literature, with at least a high honours standing (normally B+ or better).
Possession of the minimum entrance standing is not in itself, however, an assurance of admission into the program.
Qualifying-Year Program
Applicants who hold a general (3-year) B.A. degree with at least a high honours standing (normally B+), with a major in English language and literature, may be admitted to the qualifying-year program. Normally, these students will be required to complete 4.0 or 5.0 credits in English, as determined by the department, and to maintain a high honours standing (normally B+) before being considered for admission into the master's program. For more information regarding the qualifying year, see the General Regulations section of this Calendar.
Program Requirements
Each candidate will select one of the following program patterns:
- 2.0 credits in English, selected from those at the 5000-level (excluding ENGL 5908), plus ENG 5005, and a master's thesis; an oral examination on the thesis will be required. A prospectus for the thesis must be submitted to the graduate committee by December 1 after registration in September, or at the end of three months for any other registration, or
- 3.0 credits in English selected from those at the 5000-level (excluding ENGL 5909), plus ENGL 5005, and a research essay; an oral examination on the research essay may be required, or
- 4.0 credits in English selected from those at the 5000-level (excluding ENGL 5908 and ENGL 5909), plus ENGL 5005.
Each program is designed to be completed within the three-term academic year. Each program is of equal status.
Guidelines for Completion of Master's Degree
Full-time master's candidates are expected to complete all requirements in twelve months or three terms of registered full-time study. Part-time master's candidates are expected to complete their degree requirements within an elapsed period of six calendar years after the date of initial registration.
Ph.D. English
About the Program
Carleton's PhD program The Production of Literature is devoted to the study of the production, circulation, and reception of texts within and across established fields, historical periods, and genres. The Production of Literature recognizes books not only as objects to be interpreted but also as sociological events produced within a complex web of epistemological and political discourses, institutional practices, and changing technologies. This program is the only one of its kind in Canada in its unique commitment to fusing the investigation of manuscript, print, and digital cultures with the theoretical inquiry into literary and social production.
Academic Regulations
See the General Regulations section of this Calendar.
Academic standing
Doctoral students must normally obtain a grade of B- or better in each course counted toward the fulfilment of the degree requirements.
Admission Requirements
Applicants will normally hold a master's degree in English (or equivalent) with at least an A- average (10 G.P.A.)
Applicants judged to be deficient in preparation may be asked to complete course work in addition to the Ph.D. program requirements.
Program Requirements
Students admitted to the Ph.D. program are required to complete a total of 10.0 credits.
- 1.0 credit in ENGL 6000 Doctoral Seminar
- 0.5 credit in ENGL 6001 Proseminar
- 2.0 credits of approved courses
- 1.0 credit in ENGL 6900 comprehensive
- 1.0 credit in ENGL 6901 research project
- 4.5 credits in ENGL 6909 dissertation
ENGL 6000 and ENGL 6001 are required courses. Optional English coures will be selected from a list approved annually by the department. Students may take up to 1.0 credit of approved courses offered in other departments. Students may also choose directed reading courses with the core faculty of the program.
Comprehensive Examination and Research Project
Students are required to complete one comprehensive examination and one doctoral research essay. Each has a 1.0 credit value. The comprehensive examination (ENGL 6900) will focus on relevant theoretical and methodological issues and will take the form of a written examination set and marked by members of core faculty. This will normally take place at the beginning of the second year of full-time doctoral study. The doctoral research project (ENGL 6901) will focus on the general historical period or conceptual issues of the candidate's research and will comprise a written research project of publishable length followed by an oral examination. This will normally be completed before the end of the second year of full-time studies.
Language Requirements
Candidates must demonstrate reading ability in a language other than English, normally by successfully completing a translation examination during the second year of full-time enrolment in the program.
Thesis
All students are required to submit a thesis proposal before proceeding to the writing of the thesis. The proposal must be approved by the graduate supervisor and the thesis committee. This will normally take place early in the third year of doctoral study. All students are required to complete a thesis (4.5 credits) in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the degree offered by the program. The thesis must be defended at an oral examination.
This program is designed to be completed in four years of full-time study. Students admitted to part-time study will normally complete all requirements within eight years of registration.
