MA in English Literature
The MA program offers in-depth knowledge of the history of the literatures and cultures of the English-speaking world. Research seminars and electives are taught by members of the academic faculty, whose commitment to rigorous academic research and writing is matched by their concern for each individual student’s program and progress.
Admission Requirements
- Applicants with a BA degree in English literature from a recognized university in Israel or abroad with a weighted grade point average of at least 80 in English literature, and at least 76 in the second major, are required to pass a written Entrance Examination. This examination is intended to evaluate the applicant’s abilities in writing and analysis, rather than to test their knowledge. The applicant may take the Entrance Exam only once a year.
- Applicants with a BA degree in other disciplines, who have completed their studies with a weighted grade point average of at least 80, and have passed the written Entrance Examination, may be admitted to the MA program on condition of their completing a preparatory course of studies. The courses required and passing grades will be determined individually for each applicant by the MA committee.
- In addition to the Entrance Examination, the MA committee may require applicants to submit copies of seminar papers written during their BA studies, and/or to attend a personal interview.
- All applicants will be admitted to the Exam Track, though exceptions can be made, in rare cases.
- After earning 16 credits with an average of 86 and at least 85 in a seminar paper, and with the consent of a designated advisor, a student may apply to transfer to the Thesis Track.
Applicants who have not taken a literary theory course as part of their BA studies may be accepted on condition of their completing the “Introduction to Criticism and Theory” course during their first semester. This course will not count towards the credits required for the MA.
Duration of Studies:
- The standard duration of the Thesis Track, including the submission of a research thesis, is up to three years.
- The standard duration of the Exam Track, including the Final Examination, is up to two years (in accordance with the University’s regulations for graduate studies).
Curriculum
The program offers elective courses and seminars designed to enrich the study of literature and culture in English from the Early Modern period to contemporary literature, literary theories and research and critique methods.
There is a possibility of an interdisciplinary personal study program, which must be approved by the head of the department and the dean for advanced studies.
The studies at the department are offered in two tracks:
Thesis Track Program:
The scope of study on this track is 36 credits. The student must take seven courses within the department (4 credits each), a thesis writing course (4 credits), as well as a methodological workshop (4 credits) in accordance with the following:
- 2 Level-5 seminars that require the submission of a seminar paper, as well as other assignments, as determined by the lecturer.
- 5 Level-4 elective courses that require the submission of papers and/or exams, as determined by the lecturer.
- A methodological workshop to improve academic research and writing skills (workshop must be taken in the first year of studies).
- Two semesters’ study of a modern or classical European foreign language (or another relevant language, as approved by the MA Advisor). The foreign language requirement does not count towards the number of credits in the degree.
- Students must attend at least 4 lectures of the Department Seminar per year.
- Students in the research track must be registered for a “thesis writing” course and submit a research thesis.
Research Thesis: A student must submit a research proposal for their thesis, which must be approved by the beginning of their third year of study. The student must also complete all course requirements by the end of their second year of study. The Department will submit the approval of the thesis proposal and the name(s) of its advisors to the Graduate Study Authority. Guidelines for writing the thesis proposal can be found on the Graduate Study Authority’s website – click here.
The weighting of grades (for the Thesis Track):
Component 1: Seminar courses – 25%
Component 2: Other courses – 35%
Component 3: Thesis – 40%
Total of 100%
Note:
- The passing grade in MA courses is 70.
- The minimum required grade average in MA coursework is 76.
- The passing grade for the MA thesis is 76.
Examination Track Program:
The scope of study on this track is 36 credits. The student must take eight courses within the department (4 credits each) as well as a methodological workshop (4 credits) in accordance with the following:
- 2 Level-5 seminars that require the submission of a seminar paper, as well as other assignments, as determined by the lecturer.
- 6 Level-4 elective courses that require the submission of papers and/or exams, as determined by the lecturer.
- A methodological workshop to improve academic research and writing skills (workshop must be taken in the first year of studies).
- Students must attend at least 4 lectures of the Department Seminar per year.
- Students in the Exam Track must successfully pass a Comprehensive Final Exam.
The Final Exam: Students may take the Final Exam only after completing all of their other requirements. Students will be examined on a specific topic based on a definitive bibliography, prepared in consultation with a member of the Department Faculty.
The final exam will be a written exam.
Students must be examined by November 30th, following their second year of study.
Examination Guidelines for the Final Exam
The weighting of grades (for the Exam Track):
Component 1: Seminar papers – 30%
Component 2: Other courses – 45%
Component 3: Final Examination – 25%
Total of 100%
Notes for both tracks:
- A passing grade in an MA course is 70. Eligible for the MA degree is a student who has achieved an average of at least 76.
- If the student received more than one “failed” grade during his\her studies, or if his\her academic achievements are generally low, the department will recommend to the Graduate Studies Authority to discontinue the student’s studies.
- The MA Committee reserves the right to transfer a student from track to track based on his/her academic achievements and/or the pace of his/her progress in his/her studies.
- A student studying in the research track must receive a grade of at least 76 in the research thesis.
- A student studying in the final examination track must pass the final examination with a grade of at least 76.
- Students in the thesis track cannot take more than three courses with the same lecturer.