COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Arts in English (Public Texts) – Major Research Paper stream at Trent University is a graduate program focused on the study of how texts are produced, circulated, and engaged with in public and cultural contexts. The program combines literary scholarship with practical and professional skills development, preparing students for careers in publishing, communications, journalism, editing, and related fields. Students begin with core foundational courses, including ENGL 5001H (Colloquium) and ENGL 5003H (Research and Professional Development Seminar), each worth 0.5 credit and designed to build scholarly communication, research skills, and professional readiness. They also complete ENGL 5007H: Public Texts, which introduces key theories and practices related to textual production and public engagement. In addition, students take four elective graduate-level English courses (2.0 credits total), allowing them to specialize in areas of interest such as literary theory, media studies, or cultural analysis. The program culminates in ENGL 5500Y, a 1.0-credit Major Research Paper, which involves independent research on an approved topic under faculty supervision. This capstone project demonstrates the student’s ability to conduct advanced scholarly inquiry and contribute meaningfully to the field of public texts. Overall, the program blends theory, research, and applied learning to prepare graduates for both academic and professional pathways in text-based industries.