Office:
Craven Hall, Sixth Floor

Telephone:
(760) 750-4147

Department Chair:
Yuan Yuan, Ph.D.

Faculty:
Oliver Berghof, Ph.D.
Duff Brenna, M.A.
Susie Lan Cassel, Ph.D.
Dawn M. Formo, Ph.D.
Judy Jordan, M.F.A.
Kenneth P. Mendoza, Ph.D.
Aneil Rallin, Ph.D.
Heather Richardson-Hayton, Ph.D.
Martha Stoddard Holmes, Ph.D.
Yuan Yuan, Ph.D.

Programs Offered:

• Bachelor of Arts in Literature and Writing Studies
• Single Subject Preparation Program Option
• Minor in Literature and Writing Studies
• Master of Arts in Literature and Writing Studies

The Literature and Writing Studies Program replaces the former English major and provides three emphases:  literature, writing, and a  "waiver" option for students who wish to apply for a secondary teaching credential or who prefer a major that more equally balances literature and writing than the first two options.  Students continuing in prior catalogs may pick up a list of old and new course equivalencies at the Department Chair’s office or in the Department’s Administrative Coordinator’s office.  In all major options, the LTWR 300A and 300B sequence is required and students are urged to enroll in LTWR 300A the semester they begin work on their major.  Three- and four-hundred level courses may be taken with junior standing (or with consent of the instructor) and in any order, although higher-numbered courses may presume more background than those with lower numbers. Five-hundred level courses are graduate level that may also be taken by advanced undergraduates.

Literature Emphasis

In keeping with the multicultural and interdisciplinary philosophy of Cal State San Marcos' Mission Statement, the literature major provides students with a global literary experience, which may be best described under the general rubric of "cultural studies."  In its broadest sense, this term implies that literature and other cultural artifacts are studied as reflections and expressions of the cultures that value them.  Studied in this context, literature is viewed not only in terms of its form and style, its relation to previous traditions and genres, its rhetoric and language, but in terms of its use in constructing social and cultural identities.  Cultural studies may involve comparative approaches between "high" and "low" forms of expression; it may concern itself with new kinds of media (film, video, computers); it usually involves issues of social status, gender, ethnicity, and national demographics; it often examines relationships between various kinds of cultural documents (historical records, archives, newspapers, novels). 

From a pedagogical point of view, cultural studies stresses cross-cultural contexts of a given literature, exploring not only the dominant literary tradition of a culture, but also the indigenous, marginalized or unrecognized literatures within that tradition.  These "literatures" take multiple forms: oral tale, comic book, folk narrative, national epic, or avant garde poem.

The design of the literature emphasis reflects many recent movements in literary criticism and research. Our approach is not a method of teaching or scholarship so much as an attitude towards literariness such that writer, text, and audience are linked in a dynamic, on-going dialogue. Studying literature within cultural studies means going outside of the traditional canon, drawing upon research in related fields of history, sociology, visual arts, ethno-musicology, media theory and political science.  At the same time, the major encourages greater concern for the material and formal nature of artifacts that, until recently, were thought to be transparent vehicles for self-evident ideas.  To study a literary text implies that we address the "cultural text" as well.

Writing Emphasis

The writing emphasis provides directed experience in writing expository prose, fiction, poetry for various media or professional audiences, as well as intensive work in practical criticism.  An integral feature of the program places emphasis on student interaction through peer-groups.  Students who are developing themselves as writers will find courses regularly offered in various genres to develop their own style and breadth of experience in composing and criticism. Those  interested in the teaching of writing will find the major a context both for writing extensively and for dealing critically with the act of written composition.

Special Conditions for the Bachelor of Arts in Literature and Writing Studies

1. Courses taken to satisfy General Education requirements may not be used to satisfy the require­ments in the major.
2. Credit/No Credit grading may be counted toward the major only for LTWR 495 and 499.
3. Elective units in literature and writing studies may be used toward a minor in another discipline.  Consult the appropriate program coordinator or faculty advisor for further information.
4. Course substitutions must be approved by petition to the Literature and Writing Studies Curriculum Committee.
5. All courses taken for the major must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better.
6. All five-hundred level courses have the prerequisite of either LTWR 300A or LTWR 300B.
    

 

BACHELOR OF ARTS  IN LITERATURE AND WRITING STUDIES

Units

General Education51
Preparation for the Major6
Core Requirements21
Emphasis Requirements18
Students must take a sufficient number of
elective units to bring the total number of
units to a minimum of120

 

Preparation for the Major
Lower-division (6 units)

LTWR 115 3
plus select one of the following courses:
LTWR 100 3
LTWR 208A3
LTWR 208B3
 

Core Requirements for the Degree (21 units)

Units

LTWR 300A3
LTWR 300B3
LTWR 308A3
LTWR 308B3
LTWR 309A3
LTWR 309B3
LTWR 460 3

Total Units 21

Select a sequence of the following:

LTWR 308A 3
LTWR 308B3
or
LTWR 309A3
LTWR 309B3

Total Units 15

 

Literature Studies Emphasis Requirements
(18 Units)

Units

"Religious and Spiritual Foundations”

Select one of the following courses:3
LTWR 310                 LTWR 320

 

Forms, Genres, and Authors”
Select two of the following courses:6

LTWR 330LTWR 336
LTWR 33LTWR 337
LTWR 332LTWR 400
LTWR 333LTWR 402
LTWR 334LTWR 504

 

“Global Literatures”
Select one of the following courses: 3
LTWR 410LTWR 511
LTWR 420                

“Periods, Movements, and Interdisciplinary Studies”

Select one of the following courses:3
LTWR 430LTWR 450
LTWR 441LTWR 503

 

Three (3) units of approved upper-division electives in Literature and
Writing Studies3

 

Total Units18

 

Writing Studies Emphasis Requirements
(18 Units)

Units

“Writing Workshops”

Select two of the following courses:6
LTWR 315LTWR 318
LTWR 316LTWR 325
LTWR 317LTWR 545

“Forms, Genres, and Authors”

Select one of the following courses:3
LTWR 305LTWR 336
LTWR 330LTWR 337
LTWR 331LTWR 400
LTWR 332LTWR 402
LTWR 333LTWR 405
LTWR 334LTWR 504

“Writing Theory and Pedagogy”

Select two of the following courses:6
LTWR 465LTWR 509
LTWR 475LTWR 512
LTWR 485LTWR 525

Three (3) units of approved upper-division electives in Literature
and Writing Studies3

Total Units18

 

 

Single-Subject Preparation OPTION

The Single-Subject Preparation Option is designed for students who want to teach English in secondary schools in California. Students following this option obtain a Bachelor of Arts in Literature and Writing Studies and also complete a Single-Subject Preparation Program in English (formerly called a "waiver" program). Upon completion of the option, students may apply to a Single-Subject Credential Program (through a College of Education) where they complete a fifth year of professional training to be certified as a high school or junior high school teacher in English in California.

Students in this option must maintain a 2.7 GPA, and a portfolio of work is required.

The Single-Subject Preparation Program in English is also available to students who have already graduated from Cal State San Marcos or elsewhere. In such a case, a student should make an appointment with the advisor for a transcript evaluation.

Units

General Education*51
Preparation for the Major*3
Core Requirements39
Track Requirements15
Students must take a sufficient number of
elective units to bring the total number of
units to a minimum of124

* Three (3) units in lower-division General Education Area A1 (Oral Communication) are automatically satisfied in preparation for the Major.

Core requirements for the Single
Subject Preparation Option (39 units)

Units

LTWR 300A3
LTWR 300B3
LTWR 308A3
LTWR 308B3
LTWR 309A3
LTWR 309B3
LTWR 402 3
LTWR 450 3
LTWR 465 3
LING 300  3
EDUC 3503

Select one of the following courses:3
LTWR 325LTWR 475

 

Select one of the following courses:3
LING 371LING 450

Total Units39

 

LITERATURE TRACK REQUIREMENTS IN THE SINGLE SUBJECT PREPARATION OPTION

"Religious and Spiritual Foundations"
Select one of the following courses:3

LTWR 310LTWR 320

"Forms, Genres and Authors"
Select one of the following
courses:   3

LTWR 330LTWR 337
LTWR 331LTWR 400
LTWR 333LTWR 504
LTWR 336

"Global Literatures"
Select one of the following courses:3
LTWR 410LTWR 511
LTWR 420

"Periods, Movements and Interdisciplinary
Studies"Select one of the following
courses:3

LTWR 430LTWR 503
LTWR 441                

LTWR 4603
               

Total Units15

 

WRITING TRACK REQUIREMENTS IN THE SINGLE SUBJECT PREPARATION OPTION

"Writing Workshops"
Select one of the following courses:3
LTWR 315LTWR 325
LTWR 316LTWR 545
LTWR 317

 

"Forms, Genres and Authors"

Select one of the following courses:3
LTWR 305LTWR 405
LTWR 332

 

"Writing Theory and Pedagogy"

Select one of the following courses:3
LTWR 475LTWR 512
LTWR 485LTWR 525
LTWR 509

LTWR 4603

"Writing Elective"

Select any course listed above or
LTWR 301 3

Total Units15

 

MINOR IN LITERATURE AND WRITING STUDIES

Students in many vocational fields often find that special skills in reading or analysis as well as writing are useful in their future work.  The minor is intended to develop those skills. The minor consists of fifteen (15) units of upper-division course work and three (3) units of lower, preparatory course work.  Courses taken for Credit/No Credit grading may not apply to the minor.  All courses taken for the minor must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better.

Lower-division (3 Units)            

Units

LTWR 100 3

Upper-division (15 units)
LTWR 300A3
LTWR 300B3

Nine (9) units of approved electives in
Literature and Writing Studies9

Total Units18

 

MASTER OF ARTS IN LITERATURE AND WRITING STUDIES

The Cal State San Marcos Literature and Writing Studies Department offers graduate study leading to the Master of Arts degree. Our mission is to prepare students for study at the doctoral level, teaching at the elementary and community college level, and occupations in the private and the public sectors that require a high degree of literacy. Rather than offering an emphasis in literature or writing studies at the master's level, our program aims to balance and integrate these activities. Since we read writing and write reading, we see no purpose in studying one without the other. To do so would deny the integrity of our discipline.

In the same spirit, we wish to merge the roles of teacher and student. Because most of our students are, or eventually will be, teachers, our intention is to provide a graduate teaching apprenticeship within the program that begins with classes, seminars, and close faculty mentoring, leading to internships, tutoring, and teaching assistantships. Qualified students may tutor students with writing problems or teach general education writing courses. Internships may also be arranged at community colleges or the California Center for the Arts. We view students in this program as our colleagues in the educational enterprise.

Admission Requirements and Application

Admission to the program requires a bachelor's degree, preferably in English, literature and writing studies, comparative literature, rhetoric, linguistics, or a comparable program.

Applicants with these and any other bachelor's degree must have taken at least five upper-division courses of 3-4 units each in literature or writing from an accredited university.  Admis­sion decisions will be influ­enced by the breadth, appropriate­ness and grades of undergraduate course work. Applicants must have maintained a grade-point average of not less than 3.0 in the last 60 units of undergraduate study, and a 3.3 average in upper-division literature and writing courses.

All applicants must take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).  It is unlikely that students will be admitted with combined verbal and analytical scores of less than 1000, or a verbal score of less than 500.

All applicants, regardless of citizenship, whose preparatory education was principally in a language other than English, must take the combined Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and receive a minimum score of 550 on the TOEFL and a minimum of 4.5 on the Test of Written English (TWE) portion of the paper-based TOEFL or on the writing portion of the computer-based TOEFL. Applicants taking the Computer-Based Test of English as a Foreign Language must present a score of 213 or above.

A complete application consists of:

Application Materials sent directly to the Admission Office of Cal State San Marcos

• A completed application form for admission to Cal State San Marcos
• Application fee
• One set of official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, with indication of graduation

Application Materials sent directly to the Literature and Writing Studies Department (see address below)

• A completed application form for admission to the Master’s Program in Literature and Writing Studies sent to the department.
• One set of official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, with indication of graduation.
• A 750-1000 word “statement of purpose.”  This statement should address educational and career goals, relevant educational background and research experience.
• A writing sample. This should be an analytical essay of no less than five pages on a literary topic. The essay should not be written for the purpose of admission, but instead provide a sample of the applicant's best undergraduate work.
• GRE (and TOEFL/TWE, if appropriate) score reports.
• Three letters of recommendation (except undergraduate Literature and Writing Studies majors at Cal State San Marcos, who should indicate on the application form with whom they have taken courses as undergraduates).

Application Materials (consisting of a Departmental Application Form, a California State University Admis­sions booklet and a leaflet describing the program) are available upon request from the Literature and Writing Studies  Department Administrative Coordinator at: California State University, San Marcos, San Marcos, CA 92096-0001

Application Deadlines:

• November 15th for admission in Spring Semester.
• March 15th for admission in Fall Semester.
• The application fee must be submitted to the Admissions Office by these deadlines.
• Applicants will be notified of their status of application by January 1 for Spring admission and by June 1 for Fall admission.

Application may be made for Fall or Spring admission, but class and seminar scheduling (as well as available spaces) favor Fall applicants.

Degree Requirements

The program requires 30 semester hours (10 courses, one of which is thesis work) of studies, at least 18 units must be at 600 level).  No more than six (6) units may be taken at the 400 level.  Required courses are LTWR  525,  600, and 601, which should be taken as early as possible.  Please note that LTWR 525 requires the instructor's consent.  LTWR 602 is required of graduate students who teach in the GEW program.   Enrollment in LTWR 602 requires the instructor's consent and  a passing score in all three sections of  the “GEW Teaching” exam. A substantial thesis, approved and directed by the student's thesis committee, is also required of all students. The grade-point average must be at least 3.0 to graduate.

The typical full-time student will complete the program in four semesters. Units earned not in residence at Cal State San Marcos  are limited to six, and must be approved by the Graduate Studies  Advisor(s). A maximum of nine units of courses graded credit/no credit (usually internships, independent study, and thesis work will be accepted in the program).

Finally, students must satisfy a foreign language require­ment.  Each candidate, with the approval of the graduate advisor, may fulfill the foreign language requirement in one of several ways: (1) by passing the Modern Language Association Reading Examination, (2) by passing a local examination administered by the university's foreign language assessment process, (3) by completing one three-unit upper-division foreign language literature course with readings in the original language with a grade of C (2.0) or better, (4) by passing an examination to be determined by the Literature and Writing graduate advisor if the chosen language is not one taught in a program at Cal State San Marcos, (5) by successfully completing LTWR 511.

Academic Continuation

To continue in the graduate program, students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (A=4).  A student whose cumulative graduate GPA falls below 3.0 at any time is placed on academic probation.  If the GPA falls below 3.0 for two consecutive semesters, the student will be dropped from the program.  Each student must present a formal thesis proposal to the thesis committee no later than the beginning of the third semester of study for full time students, or after eighteen units have completed for part-time students.  In addition, each student has to defend the completed thesis in front of his/her committee no later than four semesters following the approval of the thesis proposal.  The overall time limit for the degree is three years for full-time students and five years for part-time students.

Student Portfolio

Each student has to assemble a portfolio of work completed while he or she is enrolled in the program.  The portfolio consists of copies of all papers in their final form, which ought to be submitted to the Department’s Administrative Coordinator as soon as they are submitted to the instructor for a grade.  The Department’s Administrative Coordinator will then file them in the student's file.  The student portfolio will be used for advising purposes and in evaluating the student's thesis proposal.

Thesis Proposal

The thesis proposal consists of three parts: (1) the Literature and Writing Studies Program Thesis Committee Membership Form, (2) a thesis proposal (300-500 words), which includes proposed areas of research or topics of research, a bibliography, an outline of each chapter, a working plan of completion, and (3) the student portfolio.  The thesis proposal has to make a case for the validity of the project.  By the second week of either fall or spring semester, the student has to have filled out a Thesis Membership Form and filed it, accompanied by a thesis proposal, with the Department’s Graduate Studies Advisor, the members of the thesis committee, and the Department's Administrative Coordinator.  It is not necessary to circulate copies of the student portfolio, which will remain on file with the Administrative Coordinator.

Advancement to Candidacy

After completing fifteen units of study in the graduate program, the student may apply for advancement to candidacy.  Students will be advanced to candidacy upon approval of their thesis proposal by the thesis committee.  In some cases the student may be asked to discuss the proposal in the presence of all committee members.

Thesis Requirements

Research leading to the thesis will be the culminating experience for each student enrolled in the Master's program.  The thesis will be a substantial product of research carried out under the close supervision of a faculty advisor and two additional thesis committee members.  The student must submit the final thesis to the thesis committee at least two weeks prior to the oral defense and orally defend the final thesis at least two weeks prior to the end of a regular semester.  Thesis work has to be submitted to the Department’s Graduate Studies Advisor by May 1st for graduation in Spring Semester, or by December 1st for graduation in Fall Semester.  In exceptional cases, thesis work can be completed in a 700-level thesis extension course.

M.A. Thesis Options

Students have three options:

• a thesis of 50-80 pages that represents a carefully developed argument
• in exceptional cases: three 30-page publishable papers
• a "creative writing thesis," consisting of a 2-5 page abstract and either a complete manuscript of fiction (minimum 150 pages), a play or screenplay (90-120 pages), or a collection of poems (minimum 60 pages).

The third option is open to students based on completed coursework in consultation with the creative writing faculty and the Department’s Graduate Studies Advisor.  It involves at least six units of creative writing coursework at the 500-level and assembling a portfolio.

To get credit for work on their theses, students have to sign up for LTWR 690 (Graduate Research) while conducting research and writing drafts on their theses, and for LTWR 699 (Graduate Thesis) in the semester, at the end of which they expect to turn in the revised and completed theses.  LTWR 690 can be repeated only once.  The prerequisite for enrolling in LTWR 699 is the completion of 24 units in the graduate program, or the consent of the chair of the thesis committee.

Graduate Teaching Assistantships

Graduate Assistantships in the University Writing Center may be available to qualified students.  Apply for internships and paid positions with the Writing Center Director.  Teaching Assistantships will be determined on the basis GEW Teaching Exam, which is administered in April and November.  Qualified students are those who have com­pleted a successful internship in the Writing Center, who exhibit exem­plary work in LTWR 525 and who successfully complete the GEW Teaching Exam. Students may also wish to consult the University’s Office of Financial Aid for alter­native means of financial support.

Non-paid graduate teaching intern­ships at Palomar College and MiraCosta College are also available through the Literature and Writing Department.

Appeals

A graduate student who is aggrieved about a course grade, candidacy decision, or degree requirement should first discuss the matter with the relevant faculty member or the Department Graduate Studies Advisor.  If the matter cannot be resolved informally, then the student may file a formal grievance in accordance with Cal State San Marcos policy, first with the Department Graduate Studies Committee, then, if not resolved at this level, with the Chair of the Literature and Writing Studies Department, then with the Dean of Arts and Sciences.

Failed Thesis Proposal

The student will be put on probation if the student fails to come up with the thesis proposal by the fifth week of the semester prior to the expected semester of graduation, or if the student fails to get approval of his/her thesis proposal from his/her committee.  Upon petition to the Department’s Graduate Studies Committee, the student may be given one more chance to develop an acceptable proposal three weeks prior to the end of the semester.  The student will be dropped from the program if the student fails to get  his/her thesis proposal approved by his/her committee the second time.

Failure to Complete the Thesis

The student will be dropped from the program if the student fails to complete his/her thesis four semesters after the approval of his/her thesis proposal.  The student may petition the Department’s Graduate Studies Committee for special consideration to extend the limit at one-year intervals.  The petition must state the reason for the extension and a specific plan to complete all the requirements.  The Department’s Graduate Studies Committee will act on the petition in writing.

Failed Thesis Defense

The student will be put on probation if the student fails the oral defense of the thesis prior to the time limit for the degree.  The student will be dropped from the program if the student fails the oral defense of the thesis after having reached the time for the degree.  The student may petition the Department’s Graduate Studies Committee for specific consideration to repeat the oral defense.  The petition must give reasons why the defense ought to be repeated and a specific time line to prepare for an oral defense in the following semester.  The Department’s Graduate Studies Committee will act on the petition in writing.