2.0 MA in Critical Studies in Literacy & Pedagogy: Program Overview

Program Overview 1

The Master of Arts degree program in Critical Studies in Literacy and Pedagogy (CSLP) is designed for:

• teachers of Secondary English Language Arts or College Writing who seek advanced content-based professional preparation in English Education or Composition and Rhetoric, or
• students planning to pursue advanced graduate study in PhD programs in these areas.

The goal of the program is to prepare teachers and researchers in the fields of English Education and Composition and Rhetoric. CSLP emphasizes the teaching and learning of language and literacy in multiple contexts and multiple modes, including print, digital, and visual, as well as research in these areas. Central to the program’s emphasis is the critical examination of ethnicity and multiculturalism as they apply to:

• the teaching of literacy;
• the democratization of the classroom;
• the role of language and schooling in society at-large;
• and the politics of language, literacy, and culture.

Concentrations

The CSLP program offers two concentrations:

The Composition and Rhetoric Concentration is specifically designed for those who wish to teach English at the college level with a principal focus on writing, literacy, and language, or who plan to go on to advanced graduate study in Composition and Rhetoric Studies.

The English Education Concentration is specifically designed for recently certified teachers of secondary English who wish to pursue their continuing certification coursework in a Master’s degree focusing on issues of disciplinary knowledge, methodology, and pedagogy, or for those who plan to go on to advanced graduate study in English Education.  This concentration provides middle and secondary English teachers with opportunities to directly address subject-specific pedagogical interests and needs. Its content meets the guidelines as set forth by the National Council of Teachers of English for academic and professional studies in English language arts education.

Thesis and Portfolio Options

Both concentrations are available under either Plan A (with thesis) or Plan B (without thesis). A total of 31 credits is required for the degree under either plan. The student’s program of study must be approved by the program director.

MA in CSLP Course Requirements

Core Experience (9 cr.)

1.AL 878 Composition Studies: Issues, Theories, and Research (3) (SS)

2. Literacy Theory (3 cr.)
AL 992 Seminar in Language, Literacy, and Pedagogy (3) (FS)

3. Research and Issues in Writing Studies (3 cr.)
TE 835 Theory and Research on the Teaching of Writing (3) (SS)

Additional courses in Language and Rhetoric (6-7 cr.)

1. Language and Linguistics (3 cr.)
ENG 812 Studies in the English Language (3) (FS, SS)

2. Writing, Rhetoric and Technology (3-4 cr.)
WRA 415 Digital Rhetoric (3) (FS)
WRA 417 Multimedia Writing (4) (FS)
AL 881 Teaching with Technology (3) (FS, SS, US)
AL 860 Visual Rhetoric for Professional Writing (3) (SS of even years)

Additional Requirements for Concentrations

English Education Concentration (6 cr.)
1. Reading and Literacy (3 cr.)
AL 875 Theories of Reading and Critical Literacy (3) (SS)
TE 848 Methods of Writing Instruction (3) (SS of even years)

2. Literature and Pedagogy (3 cr.)
TE 849 Methods and Materials for Teaching Children’s and
Adolescent Literature (3) (FS of odd years, US of even years)
One 400-level course in literature (3)

Composition and Rhetoric Concentration (6 cr.)
1. Literacy in Communities (3 cr.)
AL 877 Community Literacies (3) (SS of even years)
AL 980 Studies in Rhetoric (3) (SS)

2. Theory and History of Rhetoric (3 cr.)
AL 805 Rhetoric History and Theory (3) (FS)
AL 882 Contemporary Theories of Rhetoric (3) (SS of even years)

Electives for Concentrations (3-6 cr.)

English Education Concentration (3-6 cr.)
LLT 861 Advanced Topics in Second Language Acquisition (3) (FS)
AL 853 Development of the Essay (3) (FS)
AL 875 Theories of Reading and Critical Literacy (3) (SS)
AL 882 Contemporary Rhetorical Theory (3) (SS of even years)
AL 898 Masters Research (1¬-3) (scheduled individually)
TE 843 Reading, Writing, and Reasoning in Secondary School
Subjects (3) (SS)
TE 850 Critical reading for children and adolescents (3) (FS of even years)
TE 844 Classroom Literacy Assessment (3) (US)
AL 854 Nonfiction Writing Workshop (3) (SS)
AL 877 Community Literacies (3) (SS of even years)
AL 891 Special Topics in Arts and Humanities (3) (FS, SS)
AL 980 Studies in Rhetoric (3) (SS)
Approved courses in Literature

Composition and Rhetoric Concentration (3-6 cr.)
WRA 446 American Indian Rhetorics (3) (SS)
LLT 861 Advanced Topics in Second Language Acquisition (3) (FS)
AL 848 American Cultural Rhetorics (3) (SS)
AL 853 Development of the Essay (3) (FS)
AL 854 Nonfiction Writing Workshop (3) (SS)
AL 898 Masters Research (1¬-3) (scheduled individually)
LLT 808 Assessment for Language Teaching and Research
(3) (SS)
AL 875 Theories of Reading and Critical Literacy (3) (SS)
ENG 802 History of Literary Criticism (3) (SS)
ENG 803 Modern Criticism (3) (FS, SS)
AMS 891 Special Topics in American Studies (3) (FS, SS, US)
AL 893D Internship in Literacy and Pedagogy (3) (FS, SS, US)
AL 980 Studies in Rhetoric (3) (SS)
AL 891 Special Topics in Arts and Humanities (3) (FS, SS)
Approved courses Teacher Education

Degree Completion Requirements for all CSLP students

Requirements for Plan A: (7 cr.)
1. AL 870 Research Methods in Rhetoric and Writing (3) (FS)
2. AL 899 Thesis Research (4) (FS, SS, US)

Requirements for Plan B: (3 cr.)
1. AL 852 Portfolio Workshop (3) (SS of odd years)
2. certifying portfolio or AL 898 Masters Research (scheduled individually)

Advising
In their first year in the MA program, all CSLP MA students are assigned to the CSLP advisor.

MA Advisory Committee
By the second semester of MA study (typically, by February of the spring semester), all CSLP MA students must form a advisory committee.

The advisory committee consists of three faculty in WRAC (or affiliated with the Rhetoric & Writing program) two of whom must be instructors in the CSLP program. One of these faculty members should be designated as chair. The student’s advisory committee must be approved by the R&W Program director.

The advisory committee does the following:

• makes recommendations regarding the student’s course of study, including needed coursework,
• files the student’s Annual Progress Report
• reviews the student’s professional portfolio at the end of each year of study
• provides a written formative evaluation of the student’s work and progress each year,
• serves as the thesis committee for Plan A students, guiding and evaluating the student’s thesis project, or
• serves as the examination committee of the certifying portfolio for Plan B students.

The student may make changes in her/his advisory committee with the approval of the R&W Program director.
Once the student submits a Report of the Advisory Committee for MA work (which lists the advisory committee chair and members), the chair of the student’s advisory committee becomes the student’s advisor. Students should consult regularly with their advisors–meaning at a minimum of two or three times per year (or more often if circumstances warrant).

Students who fail to form an advisory committee by the end of their first year are considered to be not making satisfactory progress. (See Section 5.0 Academic Standards.)

Annual Progress Report and Annual Review See Section 5.0 Academic Standards.

1 Students are to meet the committee formation and course requirements specified for the academic year (beginning in the fall) in which they “officially” enter the program).