the longest island: July 2015

Daphne Horton: Reading at Brooklyn Public Library Event for Brooklyn Non-Fiction Prize Stories Project

Daphne Horton, an alumna of the English Department’s undergraduate English major program, will read her story, “The Burning of Brooklyn,” at the the Brooklyn Non-Fiction Prize readings on September 15th, 2015. The readings are being presented in partnership with Brooklyn Public Library’s Brooklyn Collection and will showcase half a dozen authors who were finalists for the Brooklyn Non-Fiction program since 2011. Brooklyn Collection archive of Brooklyn Non-fiction Prize Stories Project: The Brooklyn Collection will archive the Brooklyn stories presented at this event in their collection. The stories will be housed as an anthology of Brooklyn Non-fiction Prize stories. About the Brooklyn Collection: The Brooklyn Collection houses a rich assortment of Brooklyn-related research materials and archival documents.

When: Tuesday, September 15th. From 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

Where: The Info Commons Lab Brooklyn Public Library which is located on the first floor of BPL’s Central Library at Grand Army Plaza.

MA in English

• Literature

• Professional Writing

• Writing & Rhetoric

Teaching assistantships, graduate fellowships, and scholarships are available on a limited basis. All courses are taught by full-time faculty members and are offered on weekdays (in the late afternoon and evening), and occasionally on Saturdays.

Course descriptions by semester.

Course descriptions as they appear in the Graduate Bulletin.

Guidelines for taking MA courses as a non-matriculating student.

Thesis manual.

For more information, contact the English Department's graduate advisement coordinator, Jake Matkov.

BA in English

The B.A. in English offers students the opportunity to concentrate in:

   • Creative Writing
   • Literature
   • Writing & Rhetoric

All English majors gain a breadth of knowledge of English literary traditions, including American and Anglophone literatures around the world.

In the Creative Writing concentration, students develop their abilities to express themselves imaginatively in fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction.

Students concentrating in Writing & Rhetoric hone their skills in writing clearly and persuasively for any audience or purpose.

In all three programs, students gain an extensive knowledge of literature, a sense of the scope of English studies, and familiarity with important issues in their fields of concentration.

All three programs require the completion of 33 credits in English courses numbered 100 or above.

See advisement sheets for all three concentrations.

For more information, contact the English Department's undergraduate advisor, Wayne Berninger, or check out the following links.

Internships & Volunteering, Creative Writing MFA Program

Students in the MFA Program have the opportunity to work in a variety of volunteer positions at the Poetry Project. Contact Lewis Warsh for more information.

Please visit The Longest Island (the English Department’s blog) for further information about the MFA and the other programs and activities of the Department.

Literary Events & Awards, Creative Writing MFA Program

The following are literary events and awards specifically relevant to the Creative Writing MFA Program.

MFA Reading Series

Starting from Paumanok (Lecture Series on American Literature)

Voices of the Rainbow: Celebrating the Oral Tradition (English Department Reading Series)

Esther Hyneman Graduate Award in Poetry and Marilyn Boutwell Graduate Award in Fiction

Course of Study, Creative Writing MFA

This page provides a detailed course of study for the Creative Writing MFA program. For more information about the program, contact the English Department's graduate advisor, Jacob Matkov.

Please visit The Longest Island (the English Department's blog) for further information about the MFA and the other programs and activities of the Department.

FULL RESIDENCY MFA IN CREATIVE WRITING (36 credits)

PROCESS & TECHNIQUES COURSES

Required: All three of the following.

English 502 Writers on Writing (3 credits)
English 503 Theory of Writing (3 credits)
English 504 Traditions & Lineages (3 credits)

WRITING WORKSHOPS

Required: Twelve credits from the following.

English 520 Nonfiction Writing Workshop (3 credits)

English 523 Fiction Writing Workshop (3 credits)

English 524 Poetry Writing Workshop (3 credits)

English 525 Play Writing Workshop (3 credits)

English 526 Writing for Media I: The Story (3 credits)

English 528 Seminar in Creative Writing (3 credits)

English 529 Topics in Creative Writing (3 credits)

LITERATURE COURSES

Required: Three Literature courses (3 credits each).

ENGLISH ELECTIVE WITH RESEARCH COMPONENT

Required: One English elective (3 credits), chosen in consultation with Graduate Advisor and MFA Director.

THESIS

Required: English 708 Thesis (3 credits).

HOW TO APPLY TO THE CREATIVE WRITING MFA PROGRAM

SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION

Applicants must apply for admission to Long Island University’s Brooklyn Campus. Please apply online at My LIU.

Once you have submitted the general application, please upload the following documents to your application in the portal:

Submit a creative writing sample that reflects the genre/s of your specialties. The sample should be between 10-20 pages.
Submit a letter of intent that describes why you want to pursue an MFA at LIU Brooklyn and your career goals. No more than two pages, please.
Submit Unofficial educational transcripts with a GPA of 3.0 or better, preferable at least 6 credits in advanced English courses. Note: if you elect to attend LIU Brooklyn's MFA program, you will have to submit official transcripts before your first semester.
Two letters of recommendation from academic/creative writing professors.

This package will be reviewed by the MFA faculty.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FUNDING / EMPLOYMENT

LIU Brooklyn offers no funded graduate assistantships for the Creative Writing MFA program. Below, you will find opportunities for on-campus employment.

Writing Center Tutor positions are awarded to select students who qualify to tutor in the Writing Center. You must interview for this position, which pays $15/hour. Contact the Writing Center’s Associate Director (Lynn Hassan) to schedule an interview.

Research Assistantships are available in fall and spring and occasionally in summer. These positions are limited and competitive. An RA works with a faculty member on a specific research project. Skills needed vary by project. You must apply and interview for these positions. An RA is paid $15/hour. A call for applications is emailed to the student body prior to each semester. Contact person varies by project. If you have questions, please contact the English Department’s Graduate Advisor (Jacob Matkov).

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about admission requirements and/or funding opportunities or about the MFA Program in general, contact the English Department’s Graduate Advisor, Jacob Matkov.

Please visit The Longest Island (the English Department’s blog) for further information about the MFA and details about other programs and activities of the English Department.

MFA in Creative Writing

The Creative Writing MFA program at LIU Brooklyn was founded in 2007. It is an intimate, supportive, student-centered community, whose primary goal is to expand and explore the boundaries of poetry and fiction.

This program offers a solid foundation and practice through courses in literature, writing workshops, and writing process and technique courses designed for the aspiring writer. In this vigorous and innovative program, students will have opportunities to work with a host of visiting writers and poets, as well as to participate in the vibrant writing and performing arts communities of both Brooklyn and Manhattan. Students and faculty work closely together on their writing projects, in classroom workshops and at numerous one-on-one meetings. Your final project is a thesis: a book of poems, a collection of stories, autobiographical essays, or a full-length novel. From time to time, the program also includes a teaching component, which allows students to develop skills teaching composition, literature and creative writing.

In the 36-credit program, the focal point of the curriculum is the writing workshop. Students have opportunities to work in poetry, fiction, playwriting, creative non-fiction, and/or cross-genre projects. They explore a wide range of literary styles, from traditional narratives to the experimental, contemplative and avant-garde. In literature and theory classes, students look closely at the links between contemporary writing and literary traditions, writing and theory, and between writing, reading, music, and the visual arts. Students are encouraged to take artistic risks while moving in the context of multiple traditions. A small intimate program setting allows for easy access to, and strong mentoring by faculty members who are deeply committed to their students.

Our students come not only from the US but from all over the world--most recently, students have come to us from Nigeria, Turkey, and Taiwan. We stay in close touch with many of our alumni who go on to publish books, edit literary magazines / journals, curate reading series, and work with small, independent presses.

The MFA program and its faculty have close ties to arts organizations and bookstores in New York City, including The Poetry Project, Poet’s House, Greenlight Bookstore, The Asian American Writers' Workshop, The Belladonna* Collective, The Bowery Poetry Club, and Unnameable Books. We also have close ties with numerous independent publishers and magazines, most notably United Artists Books, Overpass Books, The Otter Magazine, Ugly Duckling Presse, Talisman Books, and Third Floor Apartment Press.

The program publishes two journals currently on hiatus: Brooklyn Paramount (a hand-bound print journal) and the now inactive literary journal visceral brooklyn.

For more information, please contact program advisor Jacob Matkov at jacob.matkov@liu.edu or (718) 246-6336.

Please visit The Longest Island (the English Department's blog) for further information about the MFA and the other programs and activities of the Department.

GUIDELINES FOR NON-MATRICULATING STUDENTS WHO WISH TO TAKE AN M.A. ENGLISH COURSE

Our M.A. programs have been discontinued. No new students will be admitted to start beyond the Spring 2018 semester. We're keeping this page up, however, for the information of current students.

Restrictions

Cannot be an international student.
Must hold a Bachelor's Degree or the equivalent.

Process for Graduate Students from Within the LIU University System

Meet with Graduate Advisor.
Provide writing sample.
Get permission from course instructor (signs off on registration card).
Get written permission memo from Chair of department (and signs off on registration card).
Go to Admissions and fill out application to Graduate School as "Visiting Student from Brooklyn."
Admissions signs off and then student can register for class at the Registration Office.

Process for Undergraduate Students from Within the LIU University System

Same process as above except the student must decide whether s/he is taking the class for undergraduate or graduate credits. Students must choose one or the other.

Process for Students from Outside of the LIU University System

Meet with Graduate Advisor.
Provide writing sample.
Provide any other documentation as requested by course instructor and/or Chair of Department (may include transcripts, letter of intent, letters of recommendation).
Get permission from course instructor (signs off on registration card).
Get written permission memo from Chair of department (and signs off on registration card).
Go to Admissions and fill out application to Graduate School as "Special Visiting Student."
Admissions signs off and then student can register for class at the Registration Office.
After taking up to 6 credits, the student must apply to the graduate program to continue. All documentation needed for application must go to Admissions for usual processing (official transcripts, two letters of recommendation, letter of intent, and writing samples).

MA in English with Concentration in Professional Writing

Our M.A. programs have been discontinued. No new students will be admitted to start beyond the Spring 2018 semester. We're keeping this page up, however, for the information of current students.

The 33-credit M.A. in English with a concentration in professional writing is designed for students interested primarily in writing-related careers associated with business and nonprofit management, science and technology, and new electronic media. The concentration offers students individualized attention and professional guidance through writing workshops and independent studies. The goal of the program is to expand the student’s knowledge and practice of professional writing genres while providing a solid base in history, theory, research and professional practices.

ABOUT THE FIELD OF PROFESSIONAL WRITING

The professional writing field is closely allied with the health, legal and educational professions, government, business and non-profit organizations, science and technology, and publishing and digital media in communicating the information that is at the heart of an information-based economy. Professional writing involves not just writing up information but also researching, editing, designing, testing and publishing information in print and digital forms, as well as managing both individual documentation projects and an organization’s entire documentation portfolio. Students and workers in the information economy can develop their professional writing expertise by pursuing the English Department’s M.A. with a concentration in professional writing.

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

To be admitted to this program you must:

Submit an academic writing sample that reflects your writing and analytic abilities
Submit a letter of intent that describes why you want to pursue an M.A. in English
Submit two letters of recommendation from academic professors.
Submit official educational transcripts with a grade-point average of 3.0 or better, preferable at least 6 credits in advanced English courses.
Submit a completed application to the Office of Admissions (see Submitting an Application for Admission).

This package will be reviewed by an English Graduate Admissions Committee.

SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION

All applicants must apply for admission to Long Island University’s Brooklyn Campus. Please apply online at My LIU or use the Apply Now link in the top navigation bar. For more information on the admissions process, visit the Office of Admissions Web site.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Continued enrollment in this program is contingent upon maintaining an overall 3.0 grade-point average in graduate coursework.

For more information about the program, contact the English Department’s graduate advisor, Jake Matkov. For further information about the MA and the other programs and activities of the Department, visit The Longest Island (the English Department’s blog).

COURSE OF STUDY (33 CREDITS)

METHODS OF RESEARCH & CRITICISM

Required (for both M.A. and M.F.A. students): English 707 Methods of Research and Criticism (3 credits)

PROFESSIONAL WRITING FIELD SPECIALTY

Required (3 Credits)

PROFESSIONAL WRITING ELECTIVES

Required: Two courses in Professional Writing (6 Credits)

ADDITIONAL WRITING ELECTIVES

Required: Three courses from Writing & Rhetoric and/or Professional Writing (9 Credits).

Notes: Teaching Assistants are required to take English 646 Individual & Small Group Writing Instruction. Teaching Fellows are required to take English 700 Practicum in the Teaching of Writing.

LITERATURE ELECTIVES

Required: Three courses in Literature (9 Credits)

THESIS

Required: English 708 Thesis (3 credits)

MA in English with Concentration in Writing & Rhetoric

Our M.A. programs have been discontinued. No new students will be admitted to start beyond the Spring 2018 semester. We're keeping this page up, however, for the information of current students.

The concentration in writing and rhetoric is designed for teachers, future doctoral students, and/or aspiring nonfiction writers. This program provides a foundation in nonfiction, scholarly, and workplace writing; the teaching of writing in secondary and post-secondary schools; or advanced work in rhetoric and related fields.

The 33-credit M.A. in English with a concentration in writing and rhetoric supports the development of non-fiction, academic and workplace writing; helps prepare teachers of writing in secondary and post-secondary education; and can lead to advanced work in rhetoric and related fields. Students receive extensive feedback on their own writing, in-depth instruction in rhetorical theory and research methods and training in the teaching of writing, from diagnostics to evaluation, including a practicum in which they teach composition under the guidance of experienced instructors. The program addresses writing problems – from pedagogical and theoretical perspectives – encountered at all levels of writing from very basic to advanced composition.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

To be admitted to this program you must:

Submit an academic writing sample that reflects your writing and analytic abilities.
Submit a letter of intent that describes why you want to pursue an M.A. in English.
Submit two letters of recommendation from academic professors.
Submit official educational transcripts with a grade-point average of 3.0 or better, preferable at least 6 credits in advanced English courses.
Submit a completed application to the Office of Admissions (see Submitting an
Application for Admission).

This package will be reviewed by an English Graduate Admissions Committee.

SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Continued enrollment in this program is contingent upon maintaining an overall 3.0 grade-point average in graduate coursework.

COURSE OF STUDY (33 CREDITS)

METHODS OF RESEARCH & CRITICISM

Required (for both M.A. and M.F.A. students): English 707 Methods of Research and Criticism (3 credits)

PRACTICUM OR EQUIVALENT

Required: Either English 700 Practicum in Teaching Composition (3 credits) or English 646 Individual & Small Group Instruction (3 credits)

ENGLISH 620 THEORIES OF RHETORIC

Required (3 credits)

ENGLISH 508 GENERAL LINGUISTICS

Required (3 credits)

WRITING ELECTIVES

Required: At least two courses from Writing & Rhetoric and one course from either Professional Writing or Creative Writing (9 Credits). Note: Instructor permission required for non-MFA student to take MFA course.

LITERATURE ELECTIVES

Required: Three courses in Literature (9 Credits)

THESIS

Required: English 708 Thesis (3 credits)

MA in English with Concentration in Literature

Our M.A. programs have been discontinued. No new students will be admitted to start beyond the Spring 2018 semester. We're keeping this page up, however, for the information of current students.

The 33-credit M.A. in English with a concentration in literature is designed for teachers, future doctoral students and those interested in expanding their knowledge of literary traditions. The program is based predominantly on courses in American, British and comparative literatures. Our professors engage in a variety of critical approaches, helping students to develop as careful readers of literature, skillful writers and knowledgeable teachers.

ABOUT THE FIELD OF LITERATURE

English is part of the Liberal Arts and Sciences, a group of disciplines including Arts, Humanities, Sciences, and Social Sciences that have long been seen as fundamental to being a well-educated person. The specialized study of literature prepares students to teach English at the secondary and post-secondary level. Furthermore, it helps students develop skills that are essential in the professional world. These include good writing, critical reading, evaluating evidence, making an argument, doing research to gain new knowledge and seeing things from other people’s points of view. These skills are transferrable to almost any job or career – and for the many different types of work one may do over the course of one’s professional life.

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

To be admitted to this program you must:

Submit an academic writing sample that reflects your writing and analytic abilities

Submit a letter of intent that describes why you want to pursue an M.A. in English

Submit two letters of recommendation from academic professors.

Submit official educational transcripts with a grade-point average of 3.0 or better, preferable at least 6 credits in advanced English courses.

Submit a completed application to the Office of Admissions (see Submitting an Application for Admission) (This package will be reviewed by an English Graduate Admissions Committee)

SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Continued enrollment in this program is contingent upon maintaining an overall 3.0 grade-point average in graduate coursework.

COURSE OF STUDY (33 CREDITS)

METHODS OF RESEARCH & CRITICISM

Required (for both M.A. and M.F.A. students): English 707 Methods of Research and Criticism (3 credits)

LITERATURE COURSES

Required: Seven literature courses (21 credits)

ENGLISH ELECTIVES

Required: Two courses in any English M.A. concentration (6 Credits). Notes: Teaching Assistants are required to take English 646 Individual & Small Group Writing Instruction. Teaching Fellows are required to take English 700 Practicum in the Teaching of Writing.

THESIS

Required: English 708 Thesis (3 credits)

GUIDELINES FOR NON-MATRICULATING STUDENTS WHO WISH TO TAKE AN UNDERGRADUATE ENGLISH COURSE

Restrictions for Taking an Undergraduate Course:

Cannot be an international student.
Cannot be a freshman.
Must have gone to college and have copy of transcript for those courses taken.
Cannot take restricted courses unless specifically authorized by instructor and department.
Not qualified for financial aid.

Process

Meet with undergraduate advisor.
Provide writing sample and any other documentation requested by course instructor and/or Chair of Department.
Get permission from course instructor (signs off on registration card).
Get written permission memo from Chair of Department (and signs off on registration card).
Go to Admissions to fill out application to take one undergraduate course as a "Brooklyn Visiting Student."
Admissions signs off and then the student may register for class at Registration Office.

Advisement Sheets for Undergraduate English Majors

English majors use these documents to keep track of their progress toward graduation. We provide a look at them here for prospective English majors who are interested in reading up on the requirements of the program.

Note: These are the originals; Wayne Berninger, the English Department's undergraduate advisor, maintains a personalized copy for each English major and shares it with the student via Google Drive.

For more information about English Major advisement, click here.

Download the Creative Writing advisement sheet here, or read it below.

Download the Literature advisement sheet here, or read it below.

Download the Writing & Rhetoric advisement sheet here, or read it below.

BA in English with Concentration in Writing & Rhetoric

The Writing and Rhetoric concentration emphasizes the study of the elements of rhetoric (the art of using language effectively), along with intensive practice in a range of genres. Students learn to write powerfully and precisely as they develop expertise in nonfiction, academic and workplace writing needed for a range of careers and higher degrees. Along with workshops in creative nonfiction, the essay and writing for the Web, course offerings include classical and contemporary rhetoric and the teaching of writing.

ABOUT THE FIELD OF WRITING AND RHETORIC

In addition to preparing students for graduate study in law, education, English, journalism, business and social work, the B.A. in English with a Concentration in Writing and Rhetoric provides excellent preparation for careers such as: advertising, broadcasting, communications, editing, fundraising, grant writing, government, lobbying, marketing, politics, public relations, research, Web design and writing.

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

To be admitted to this program you must:

Have a minimum overall grade-point high school average of 75% or higher
Submit a high school transcript\
Transfer students must present an overall grade-point average of 2.0
Submit a completed application to the Office of Admissions (see Submitting an Application for Admission)

SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION

All applicants must apply for admission to Long Island University's Brooklyn Campus. Please apply online at My LIU or use the Apply Now link in the top navigation bar. For more information on the admissions process, visit the Office of Admissions Web site or call 718-488-1011.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Continued enrollment in this program is contingent upon maintaining an overall grade-point average of 2.0 and a grade-point average of 2.0 in the concentration.

For more information about the program, contact the English Department’s undergraduate advisor, Wayne Berninger. For information about English-major advisement and mentoring, visit the Undergraduate Advisement page. For further information about the BA and the other programs and activities of the Department, visit The Longest Island (the English Department’s blog).

COURSE OF STUDY

TAKE THE FOLLOWING:

English 192 Senior Thesis in Writing & Rhetoric (3 credits)

TAKE five WRITING WORKSHOPS--with the stipulation that at least one of them be 171 or 172. CHOOSE FROM THE FOLLOWING:

English 126 News Writing [Same as Journalism 119. English majors should be sure to register for this course as ENG 126 rather than JOU 119.] (3 credits)
English 163 Explorations in Non-Fiction Writing (3 credits / anyone may take twice)
English 168 Creative Non-Fiction Workshop (3 credits / W&R and CW may take twice)
English 171 Classical Rhetoric (3 credits)
English 172 Contemporary Rhetorical Theory (3 credits / W&R may take twice)
English 173 Writing in the Community (3 credits / W&R may take twice)
English 174 Teaching Writing (3 credits / W&R may take twice)
English 175 Writing for the Professions (3 credits / W&R may take twice)

TAKE FOUR ADDITIONAL ENGLISH COURSES—WITH THE FOLLOWING STIPULATIONS:

One must be in Creative Writing. Choose from 164, 165, 166, 167, 168.
The other three must be in Literature. Two of those three must be from 128, 129, 158, 159, 169.
The only way English 168 can satisfy two different requirements is if you take it TWICE.
Honors students may be able to count Honors electives (if taught by English professors).