Examinations at the end of the Masters program are designed to ensure that graduating candidates have acquired expertise in their respective fields. All candidates in the Literature track will take an exam; candidates in the Writing and Rhetoric track will elect either to take an examination or to write a thesis. The examination is based in part upon the following reading lists. The lists do not constitute a "canon," but rather represent significant works in the respective fields of English studies.

The examination for the Literature track asks candidates to discuss texts in sophisticated ways in the context of English studies. From the longer reading list for the Literature track, the MA Committee selects a short "set text" list of five to ten particular works for the following spring, summer, and fall examinations. The Committee will select primary and theoretical texts that represent a chronological, generic, and thematic range and that afford opportunities to explore intertextual connections.

   Literature Reading List (in .pdf format)
   Literature Set Text List, 2007-08
   Literature Set Text List, 2008-09

The examination for the Writing and Rhetoric track asks candidates to demonstrate a familiarity with a broad range of issues and practices in writing and rhetoric and a mastery of a body of knowledge acquired in graduate school. The examination presupposes that candidates will be able to write convincingly, to apply their knowledge and competence to particular questions, and to make critical evaluations and judgments. One section of the examination for candidates is based upon an announced selection from the reading list for Writing and Rhetoric.

   Writing & Rhetoric Reading List (in .pdf format)
   Writing & Rhetoric Set Text List, 2007-08
   Writing & Rhetoric Set Text List, 2008-09