COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Arts in English with a focus on narrative requires a minimum of 33 credit hours, combining core courses with advisor-approved electives. The core curriculum includes ENG 66705 Narrative Functions and Consequences, which examines how narratives shape perception, emotion, and social action, providing students with a theoretical and applied understanding of storytelling across diverse contexts. ENG 66706 Understanding Research Methods and Design in Literature and Writing Studies introduces students to rigorous research methodologies for analyzing literary texts, rhetorical practices, and writing studies, emphasizing both qualitative and quantitative approaches. ENG 66707 Practicing Narrative Research Methods and Design allows students to apply these research techniques through hands-on projects, fostering skills in critical analysis, methodological design, and effective communication of findings. In addition to these core courses, students complete 24 credit hours of advisor-approved electives, which can be tailored to individual interests in literature, composition, writing studies, rhetoric, or interdisciplinary areas. These electives provide opportunities for deep exploration of specific genres, theoretical frameworks, or professional applications of narrative studies, supporting both academic and career objectives. The combination of core coursework and electives ensures that graduates are well-prepared to critically engage with narrative in its many forms, whether in academic research, professional practice, or creative endeavors. Overall, the program equips students with the theoretical knowledge, research expertise, and practical skills needed to analyze, interpret, and create narratives that inform decision-making, problem-solving, and socially responsible action. This structure also provides strong preparation for doctoral study or careers in law, education, library and information science, communications, and other fields where advanced writing and narrative competence are essential.