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Master of Arts in English Studies
Programme
Master of Arts in English Studies
文學碩士(英語語言)
Award Title
Master of Arts in English Studies
文學碩士(英語語言)
Offering Academic Unit
Department of English
Mode of Study
Combined mode

Normal Period of Study
- 1 year (full-time)
- 2 years (part-time/combined mode)

Maximum Period of Study
- 2 years (full-time)
- 5 years (part-time/combined mode)

Credit Units Required for Graduation
30

Programme Aims
The programme aims to provide practicing and potential teachers of English with a critical understanding of theory and research in English language, linguistics, and literature and culture, and explore how they can apply this understanding to their own teaching in diverse sociocultural contexts. Students will develop a critical understanding of theory and research on the linguistic, psycholinguistic, sociolinguistic, literary, cultural and educational issues central to second language learning and teaching, along with the practical skills they need. They will also deepen in their knowledge of literature and culture in the context of education.

Programme Intended Learning Outcomes (PILOs)
Upon successful completion of this Programme, students should be able to:
  1. evaluate and analyze the role of languages in diverse sociocultural contexts and multilingual societies;
  2. understand language variation in social and professional contexts;
  3. critically analyze literary and popular cultural texts, new media, new genres and literacy practices;
  4. evaluate key issues in literature and culture, including genre studies, movements, paradigms of national and transnational literatures, and the practice of creative writing;
  5. analyze how socio-political and cultural categories and issues are created through everyday public discourses, including political, media and business discourse;
  6. conduct research and specialise in specific areas related to English studies.
Stream in Teaching English as a Second Language
Upon successful completion of this Programme, students should be able to:
  1. evaluate and analyze the role of languages in diverse sociocultural contexts and multilingual societies and the implications for language education;
  2. apply language teaching skills in the light of current language learning, discourse, and pedagogical theories;
  3. understand and analyze theoretical issues and practices in Teaching English as a Second Language;
  4. critically analyze popular cultural texts, new media, new genres and literacy practices;
  5. analyze how socio-political and cultural categories and issues are created through everyday public discourses, including political and media discourse;
  6. conduct research and specialise in specific areas related to English studies.
Stream in Literature, Language and Culture
Upon successful completion of this Programme, students should be able to:
  1. evaluate and analyze the key theoretical paradigms of literature and culture today, including genre studies, literary forms and movements, types of national literatures and the transnational characteristic of contemporary literary and cultural production; 
  2. analyze the aesthetic and creative aspects of literature and apply creativity to the teaching and learning of English;
  3. apply critical thinking and reading skills to the interpretation and teaching of literature and popular culture;
  4. analyze how socio-political and cultural categories and issues are created through literary and cultural forms, including new media;
  5. conduct research and specialise in specific areas related to English studies.

Programme Requirements


1. Core Courses (6 credit units)
Course CodeCourse TitleCredit Units
EN5450Literature, Language, and Culture3
EN5461Language in Its Social Context3

2. Electives (24 credit units)
Course CodeCourse TitleCredit UnitsRemarks
EN5315Genre Analysis of Specialized Discourse3
EN5464English Phonetics and Phonology3
EN5465Second Language Acquisition3
EN5466Testing and Evaluation in Language Studies3
EN5490Grammar and Lexis3
EN5491Discourse Analysis3
EN6471Research Methods in English Studies3
EN6483Teaching Language, Literature, and Popular Culture3
EN6494New Literacies and Language Learning3
EN6495Approaches to Language Teaching3
EN6505Curriculum Design in Language Studies3
EN6508Critical Approaches to Literature3
EN6509Postcolonial Literature and Culture3
EN6510Asian and Asian Diaspora Literature in English3
EN6511Practical Teaching for TESL3Students taking the LLC stream are not allowed to take this course
EN6512Special Topics in English Studies3
EN6513Human Rights Literature and Culture3
EN6517Literature and the City3
EN6518Travel Writing3
EN6519Studies in Literature and Film3
EN6520The Graphic Novel3
EN6521Discourse, Ideology and Power3
EN6941Dissertation6


Students who choose to take the MAES with an added stream need to take the corresponding electives as detailed below. Students may only gain one stream:

Stream

Electives

Master of Arts in English Studies                        

 (Teaching English as a Second Language)

Take both these electives:
EN5465 Second Language Acquisition
EN6495 Approaches to Language Teaching

Master of Arts in English Studies                       

(Literature, Language and Culture)

Take both these electives:
EN6508 Critical Approaches to Literature
EN6509 Postcolonial Literature and Culture



Professional Recognition
The Education Bureau has approved the MAES for inclusion in the SCOLAR list of recognized English language major degree programmes and the list of “Programmes Accepted for Grants under the Professional Development Incentive Grant Scheme for Language Teachers”. The Education Bureau has also accepted both as an English language major degree for meeting the Language Proficiency Requirement (LPR).