The English Department offers a Master of Arts degree (MA) in literature, a Master of Fine Arts degree (MFA) in creative writing and a Doctor of Philosophy degree (PhD) in literature.

For more information, visit the department's Graduate Studies webpage.

Course code for this program is ENGL.

Faculty

While many faculty teach both undergraduate and graduate students, some instruct students at the undergraduate level only. For more information, contact the faculty member's home department.

Beechy, Tiffany R.
Professor; PhD, University of Oregon

Bickman, Martin
Professor; PhD, University of Pennsylvania

Brylowe, Thora
Associate Professor; PhD, Carnegie Mellon University

Carr, Julia Alice
Professor; PhD, University of California, Berkeley

Cox, Jeffrey N.
Chair, Distinguished Professor; PhD, University of Virginia

Deagman Simonetta, Rachael Nicole
Associate Teaching Professor; PhD, Duke University

DeShell, Jeffrey
Professor, Associate Chair; PhD, SUNY at Buffalo

Douglas, Marcia B.
Professor; PhD, SUNY at Binghamton

Eggert, Katherine
Professor; PhD, University of California, Berkeley

Emerson, Lori Ann
Associate Professor; PhD, SUNY at Buffalo

Garrity, Jane Marie
Associate Professor; PhD, University of California, Berkeley

Gladstone, Jason Daniel
Assistant Professor; PhD, Johns Hopkins University

Glimp, David R.
Associate Professor; PhD, Johns Hopkins University

Goodman, Nan
Professor; PhD, Harvard University

Green, Jeremy F.
Associate Professor; PhD, University of Cambridge (England)

Harrington, Emily Marie
Associate Professor; PhD, University of Michigan Ann Arbor

Hasan, Raza Ali
Associate Teaching Professor; MFA, Syracuse University

Heydt-Stevenson, Jillian
Associate Professor; PhD, University of Colorado Boulder

Higashida, Cheryl A.
Associate Professor; PhD, Cornell University

Hurley, Kelly K.
Associate Professor; PhD, Stanford University

Jacobs, Karen S.
Associate Professor; PhD, University of California, Berkeley

Jones, Stephen Graham
Distinguished Professor, Endowed Chair; PhD, Florida State University

Klages, Mary K.
Associate Professor; PhD, Stanford University

Kocher, Ruth Ellen
Distinguished Professor; PhD, Arizona State University

Kuskin, William
Professor; PhD, University of Wisconsin–Madison

Labio, Catherine
Associate Professor; PhD, New York University

Lamos, Steven Joseph
Associate Professor; PhD, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign

Little, Katherine C.
Professor; PhD, Duke University

Mattar, Karim
Associate Professor; DPhil, Oxford Univ (England)

Mitchell, Dianne
Assistant Professor; PhD, University of Pennsylvania

Nugent, Teresa L.
Associate Teaching Professor; PhD, University of Colorado Boulder

Rios, Gabriela
Assistant Professor; PhD, Texas AM University

Rivera, John-Michael
Associate Professor; PhD, University of Texas at Austin

Robertson, Benjamin John
Assistant Professor; PhD, SUNY at Buffalo

Sheffield, Elisabeth Ann
Professor; PhD, SUNY at Buffalo

Stevenson, John A.
Professor; PhD, University of Virginia

Windell, Maria A.
Associate Professor; PhD, University of Virginia

Winkiel, Laura Ann
Associate Professor; PhD, University of Notre Dame

Wright, Nicole M.
Associate Professor; PhD, Yale University

Courses

Show only these courses...

ENGL 5000 (3) Introduction to Applied Shakespeare

Provides an introduction to the life, work and world of William Shakespeare to prepare students for the Applied Shakespeare Professional Masters Certificate two-week intensive. Students will gain a background in the social, cultural and political context of Renaissance theater, will be introduced to the conventions of Shakespearean drama and will explore key concerns impacting our understanding of Shakespeare's works. Department consent required.

Grading Basis: Letter Grade
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Graduate Courses

ENGL 5003 (3) Old English 1: Introduction to Old English

Introduces students to Old English, the ancient ancestor of Modern English (as Latin is the ancestor of Spanish and Italian, distinct from both). Course will focus on reading knowledge through grammar study and translation, and to a lesser extent on pronunciation. Provides basic parsing and translation skills and an introduction to the history, culture, and literature of early medieval Britain. Provides an introduction to grammar and to the history of the English language.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: ENGL 4003

ENGL 5013 (3) Old English 2: Intermediate Old English

Continues to develop skills in Old English reading and translation. Focuses on shorter canonical texts in verse and prose. Students will produce idiomatic translations for every class, write a midterm exam based on those translations, and write either a final exam or a final paper. Students will also memorize and present a short section of verse in the original language. Graduate students will read and present on secondary scholarship and produce original research.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: ENGL 4013

ENGL 5019 (3) Survey of Contemporary Literary and Cultural Theory

Introduces a variety of critical and theoretical practices informing contemporary literary and cultural studies.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 6.00 total credit hours.
Requisites: Restricted to English (ENGL) and English Lit- Creative Writing (CRWR) graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Graduate Courses

ENGL 5023 (3) Old English 3: Beowulf

Continues to develop students' proficiency in Old English through the translation and literary study of the heroic poem _Beowulf_. Students will produce idiomatic translations for every class, write a midterm exam based on those translations, and write either a final exam or a final paper. Students will also memorize and present a short section of the poem. Graduate students will read and present on secondary scholarship and produce original research. Previously offered as a special topics course.

Equivalent - Duplicate Degree Credit Not Granted: ENGL 4023

ENGL 5029 (3) British Literature and Culture Before 1800

Introduces graduate level study of medieval and early modern writing through the long eighteenth century. Emphasizes a wide range of genres, forms, historical background, and secondary criticism. Cultivates research skills necessary for advanced graduate study. Topics will vary.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 6.00 total credit hours. Allows multiple enrollment in term.
Requisites: Restricted to English (ENGL) and English Lit- Creative Writing (CRWR) graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Graduate Courses

ENGL 5059 (3) British Literature and Culture After 1800

Introduces graduate level study of Romantic, Victorian, Modern and Postmodern writing. Emphasizes a wide range of genres, forms, historical background and secondary criticism. Cultivates research skills necessary for advanced graduate study. Topics will vary.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 6.00 total credit hours. Allows multiple enrollment in term.
Requisites: Restricted to English (ENGL) and English Lit- Creative Writing (CRWR) graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Graduate Courses

ENGL 5109 (3) Literature and Culture of the United States

Introduces graduate level study of writing of the United States from its inception to the present. Emphasizes a wide range of genres, forms, historical background, and secondary criticism. Topics will vary.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 6.00 total credit hours. Allows multiple enrollment in term.
Requisites: Restricted to English (ENGL) and English Lit- Creative Writing (CRWR) graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Graduate Courses

ENGL 5139 (3) Global Literature and Culture

Introduces graduate level study of recent writing in English from around the world. Emphasizes a wide range of genres, forms, new media, and secondary criticism. Cultivates research skills necessary for advanced graduate study. Topics will vary.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 6.00 total credit hours. Allows multiple enrollment in term.
Requisites: Restricted to English (ENGL) and English Lit- Creative Writing (CRWR) graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Graduate Courses

ENGL 5169 (3) Multicultural/Postcolonial Studies

Introduces graduate level study of ethnic American and/or postcolonial writing in English, including relevant theoretical discourse. Emphasizes a wide range of genres, forms, historical background, and secondary criticism. Cultivates research skills necessary for advanced graduate study. Topics will vary.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 6.00 total credit hours. Allows multiple enrollment in term.
Requisites: Restricted to English (ENGL) and English Lit- Creative Writing (CRWR) graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Graduate Courses

ENGL 5199 (3) Studies in Special Topics

Introduces graduate level study of writing of the United States from its inception to the present. Emphasizes a wide range of genres, forms, historical background, and secondary criticism. Topics will vary.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 9.00 total credit hours.
Requisites: Restricted to English (ENGL) and English Lit- Creative Writing (CRWR) graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Graduate Courses

ENGL 5229 (3) Poetry Workshop

Designed to give students time and impetus to generate poetry and discussion of it in an atmosphere at once supportive and critically serious. Enrollment requires admission to the Creative Writing Graduate Program or the instructor's approval of an application manuscript.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 12.00 total credit hours.
Requisites: Restricted to English Creative Writing (CRWR) graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Graduate Courses

ENGL 5239 (3) Fiction Workshop

Designed to give students time and impetus to generate fiction and discussion of it in an atmosphere at once supportive and critically serious. Enrollment requires admission to the Creative Writing Graduate Program or the instructor's approval of an application manuscript.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 12.00 total credit hours.
Requisites: Restricted to English Creative Writing (CRWR) graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Graduate Courses

ENGL 5259 (3) Nonfiction Workshop

Designed to give students time and impetus to generate nonfiction and discussion of it in an atmosphere at once supportive and critically serious. Enrollment requires admission to the Creative Writing Graduate Program or the instructor's approval of an application manuscript.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 12.00 total credit hours.
Requisites: Restricted to English (ENGL) and English Lit- Creative Writing (CRWR) graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Graduate Courses

ENGL 5269 (3) Publishing Workshop

Provides practical experience in the editorial, design, and business procedures of desktop publishing.

Requisites: Restricted to English (ENGL) and English Lit- Creative Writing (CRWR) graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Graduate Courses

ENGL 5279 (3) Studies in Poetry

Addresses contemporary poetry, and/or literary works important for contemporary poetry.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 6.00 total credit hours.
Requisites: Restricted to English (ENGL) and English Lit- Creative Writing (CRWR) graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Graduate Courses

ENGL 5299 (3) Studies in Fiction

Addresses contemporary fiction, and/or literary works important for contemporary fiction. May be repeated for up to 6 total credit hours.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 6.00 total credit hours.
Requisites: Restricted to English (ENGL) and English Lit- Creative Writing (CRWR) graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Graduate Courses

ENGL 5309 (3) Playwriting

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 9.00 total credit hours.
Requisites: Restricted to English (ENGL) and English Lit- Creative Writing (CRWR) graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Graduate Courses

ENGL 5319 (3) Studies in Literary Movements

Studies styles, trends, innovations and major writers in significant literary movements, particularly those after 1900, such as modernism and postmodernism.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 9.00 total credit hours.
Requisites: Restricted to English (ENGL) and English Lit- Creative Writing (CRWR) graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Graduate Courses

ENGL 5459 (3) Introduction to the Profession

Introduces purposes, methods and techniques of professional scholarship in English. Provides an overview of the discipline, including traditional areas of research and recent developments. Teaches students how to use research, bibliographic, and reference tools to prepare papers for conferences and publication. Required of all MA students in English.

Requisites: Restricted to English (ENGL) and English Lit- Creative Writing (CRWR) graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Graduate Courses

ENGL 5529 (3) Studies in Special Topics 1

Studies special topics that focus on a theme, genre, or theoretical issue not limited to a specific period or national tradition. Topics vary each semester.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 9.00 total credit hours. Allows multiple enrollment in term.
Requisites: Restricted to English (ENGL) and English Lit- Creative Writing (CRWR) graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Graduate Courses

ENGL 5549 (3) Studies in Special Topics 2

Studies special topics that focus on a theme, genre, or theoretical issue not limited to a specific period or national tradition. Topics vary each semester.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 9.00 total credit hours. Allows multiple enrollment in term.
Requisites: Restricted to English (ENGL) and English Lit- Creative Writing (CRWR) graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Graduate Courses

ENGL 5559 (3) Studies in Special Topics 3

Studies special topics that focus on a theme, genre, or theoretical issue not limited to a specific period or national tradition. Topics vary each semester.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 9.00 total credit hours.
Requisites: Restricted to English (ENGL) and English Lit- Creative Writing (CRWR) graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Graduate Courses

ENGL 5849 (1-6) Independent Study (Graduate Level 1)

Independent investigation of topics of specific interest to individual students. Students wishing to enroll in independent study must petition the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies prior to the beginning of the semester.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 6.00 total credit hours.
Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Graduate Courses

ENGL 6949 (1) Master's Candidate for Degree

Registration intended for students preparing for a thesis defense, final examination, culminating activity, or completion of degree.

Requisites: Restricted to English (ENGL) and English Lit- Creative Writing (CRWR) graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Graduate Courses

ENGL 6959 (1-9) Master's Thesis

Requisites: Restricted to graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Graduate Courses

ENGL 7019 (3) Advanced British Literature and Culture Before 1800

Studies special topics in medieval and early modern writing through the long 18th Century. Topics will vary.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 9.00 total credit hours.
Requisites: Restricted to English (ENGL) and English Lit- Creative Writing (CRWR) graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Graduate Courses

ENGL 7059 (3) Advanced British Literature and Culture After 1800

Studies special topics in romantic, Victorian, modern and postmodern writing. Topics will vary.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 9.00 total credit hours.
Requisites: Restricted to English (ENGL) and English Lit- Creative Writing (CRWR) graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Graduate Courses

ENGL 7119 (3) Advanced Literature and Culture of the United States

Studies special topics in writing of the United States.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 9.00 total credit hours.
Requisites: Restricted to English (ENGL) and English Lit- Creative Writing (CRWR) graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Graduate Courses

ENGL 7149 (3) Advanced Global Literature and Culture

Studies special topics in recent writing in English from around the world.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 9.00 total credit hours.
Requisites: Restricted to English (ENGL) and English Lit- Creative Writing (CRWR) graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Graduate Courses

ENGL 7179 (3) Advanced Multicultural/Postcolonial Studies

Studies special topics in ethnic American and/or postcolonial writing in English, including relevant theoretical discourses. Topics will vary.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 9.00 total credit hours.
Requisites: Restricted to English (ENGL) and English Lit- Creative Writing (CRWR) graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Graduate Courses

ENGL 7489 (3) Advanced Special Topics

Studies special topics in theory, culture, and literature of any period. Topics will vary.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 9.00 total credit hours.
Requisites: Restricted to English (ENGL) and English Lit- Creative Writing (CRWR) graduate students only.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Graduate Courses

ENGL 7849 (1-3) Independent Study (Graduate Level 2)

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 6.00 total credit hours.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Graduate Courses

ENGL 8999 (1-10) Doctoral Dissertation

All doctoral students must register for not fewer than 30 hours of dissertation credit as part of the requirements for the degree. For a detailed discussion of doctoral dissertation credit, refer to the Graduate School section.

Repeatable: Repeatable for up to 30.00 total credit hours.
Additional Information: Departmental Category: Graduate Courses