Graduate Humanities Program

M.A. in Humanities

All students are required to complete a minimum of 30 hours of coursework, a comprehensive examination, and an independent research project or thesis. Depending on the selection of the independent research assignment, total hours in the degree program are 36 or 39. Additional hours of coursework are required for students who elect the final project option. Specific plans of study are developed in consultation with faculty advisors and will reflect the interest of individual students.

All individual plans of study are organized according to the following general structure:

I. Humanities Core (12 hours)

Required core courses acquaint the student with the methods, materials, and problems of interdisciplinary study and research in the humanities. The core courses also provide the foundation for the remainder of the plan of study. Each student must complete the following:

A. Required courses:

HUMN 600	Introduction to Study in the Humanities	3 HRS
HUMN 604*	Expository Writing for Research	3 HRS

*With permission of the program director, a student may demonstrate competency through an alternative assessment. The HUMN 604 requirement only is waived; elective hours may be substituted.

B. Two of the following:

HUMN 601	Literary Theory and Criticism	3 HRS
HUMN 602	Historical Studies	3 HRS
HUMN 603	History and Theory of the Arts	3 HRS
HUMN 605	Western Traditions and Contemporary Cultures	3 HRS

II. Area of Emphasis (15 hours)

Each student selects one of the following areas of emphasis or develops a thematic emphasis which combines two or more areas. Specific core courses are required for each area of emphasis. Within an area of emphasis, a student may select courses to develop personal interests. These areas are:

A. Arts and Society

For students interested in art history, theatre/drama, or film history and appreciation. (HUMN 603 required)

B. Cultural Studies

For students interested in philosophy/religion, classical studies, media theory and practices, regional or ethnic studies. (HUMN 605 required)

C. Historical Studies

For students interested in history or regional studies. (HUMN 602 required)

D. Literary Studies

For students interested in literature, language, or creative writing. (HUMN 601 required)

To assist the student in developing this portion of the plan of study, course offerings are organized under these four areas. An individualized plan of study may, with permission of the advisor and the program director, include courses from more than one area. No more than twelve hours may be taken at the 500-level.

See the Graduate Catalog for descriptions of individual courses. See the current schedule of classes for current and upcoming course offerings.

Note: Not all courses are offered at every teaching site. Students should understand that some plans of study may require travel to other teaching sites in West Virginia.

III. Humanities Electives (3-12 hours)

See the Graduate Catalog for descriptions of individual courses. See the current schedule of classes for current and upcoming course offerings.

IV. Comprehensive Exams

The completion of the comprehensive examination and independent assignment involves four stages:

A. Appointment of a committee.

B. Comprehensive written examination.

C. Independent research assignment.

D. Oral presentations of findings or thesis defense.

After a minimum of 24 hours of course credits and consultation with the advisor, the student is eligible to sit for the examination, which is related to the core and to the individual plan of study. The comprehensive examination will take a maximum of four hours and will be given at a time convenient for the student.

Each student in the program will have a three-member committee appointed to oversee the student’s written comprehensive examination. The chair of the comprehensive committee ordinarily will represent the student’s primary area of study. The second member will represent the area of emphasis. The third member will represent the second core area. The program director, in consultation with the student, appoints the members of the committee.

If a student fails to pass one or more parts of the examination, he/she will be required to take a second examination over the portions failed. Further information on the comprehensive examination is available in the program office.

V. Independent Research: Thesis or Project (3-6 hours)

Students must pass the comprehensive examination before they are eligible for Independent Research.

The Humanities program strongly supports the thesis as a valuable learning experience and as a capstone to the student’s plan of study. The thesis, however, may not in all cases meet the needs of the student performing as a professional in his/her field. Accordingly, the program makes available to Humanities students a project option appropriate to the individual plan of study. In any case, the student must chose one of the following:

A. Thesis

The student’s examination committee will ordinarily be the principal members of the thesis committee. The chair of that committee will serve as thesis director. The student will present a prospectus to the committee for approval before beginning the thesis. The student will defend the completed thesis. (6 hours : HUMN 680 and 681 required)

B. Project

The student will work with a faculty member to outline and complete a final project. The project must relate to the student’s area of emphasis. It should involve research and result in a written project. In the case of creative writing, a creative project may be appropriate. The student will present the project findings as part of a research symposium. Additional information is available in the program office.
(3 hours: HUMN 680 required)

This plan of study is outlined in PDF form, available here.

Questions? Call the Graduate Humanities Program at 304-746-2022.