WRIT 688 Research Seminar

A course for advanced academic research in English literature focusing on either a substantive research project or the first steps of a literary thesis.

This course is an important step, indeed a capstone step, in a literary education. Students in this course explore the nature of authorial intent while focusing on their own research prospectus/project that will form the culmination of their training within this program.

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

Discussions (4)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student will complete four Discussions in this course. The student will post one thread of at least 500 words and post 2 replies of at least 250 words.

Annotated Bibliography Assignment

MA Students: The student is to compose an annotated bibliography on a type of literary criticism he/she wishes to apply to the text of his/her choice for this course. This assignment is for the student writer to identify ten (10) potential sources on a single type of literary criticism that will be applied to the work selected by the student for this course and that will ultimately culminate in an advanced critical paper and/or contribute toward the thesis.

MFA Students: The student is to compile an annotated bibliography of ten (10) potential sources based on academic writings (e.g., academic journals) or possibly critical writings (e.g., critics in that particular field) about the particular genre of creative writing or creative art the student is pursuing.

Literature Review (MA) or Literary Criticism (MFA) Assignment

MA Students: The student will write a 1500-word paper with a minimum of 9 sources cited in the paper.

MFA Students: The student will review the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing Program Handbook and choose one of the provided options (a, b, or c). The paper must include a Title page and Abstract, Main Body, References or Works Cited page and any applicable appendices. This assignment must include a minimum of at least 8 references (based upon half of the primary and secondary references required in the student’s choice of a, b, or c.)

Book Review Assignment

The student will write a 1000-word paper with a minimum of at least 3 references from peer-reviewed articles.

Research Project Assignment

The assignment should include a Title page, Abstract (this should be between 80-175 words), body (a minimum of 3,000 words), and Works Cited/Bibliography page(s).

The Pairing Tool is designed for students who are writing a thesis. All students need to complete this assignment. If the student is seeking the MA (thesis option) or the MFA, he/she will need to follow the Pairing Tool link and follow the instructions there. Once completed, the student will return to Module 4: Week 4 and complete the quiz. If the student is seeking the MA (non-thesis option), he/she will complete the quiz in Module 4: Week 4 and select the answer related to being a non-thesis student.

Quizzes (4)

Each quiz will cover the Learn material for the assigned module. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 5 multiple-choice, true/false, short answer, essay, or multiple-answer questions and have a 15 minute time limit.