Exploring your Field: The Academic Literature Review ((3 Credits))

Catalog description

In this course, the student will begin to lay the foundation for future work in his or her area of interest through the examination of an individualized topic relevant to the student’s focus in the MALS program by means of completing a literature review. The literature review is a critically organized interpretation of secondary criticism on a specific topic; it is not a research paper nor is it an annotated bibliography. The literature review course will help the student develop relevant research, writing and analytic skills in order to define the topic; research and identify relevant sources and journals in the chosen field; identify key thinkers, debates, and the theoretical framework of a topic; develop appropriate methodological and writing skills; follow proper citation form; and develop a critical point of view. It is an important demonstration of graduate level writing and analytic ability that will be reviewed, along with the degree plan developed in Perspectives, by a MALS Program Review Committee before the student proceeds to the next stage of the program.