Department of English Literature and Linguistics

Master's Degree 

Tracks   

Two tracks are available:   
   
Track A – Thesis Track – includes research and thesis submission.   
  
Track B – Non-thesis track – not research-based.  
  

Programs   

1. Linguistics   

2. Linguistics in Clinical Research   

3. English Literature   

4. English Literature with a focus on Creative Writing and Literary Translation   

   
Note: Applicants admitted to the master’s degree for all programs with the exception of the English Literature – Creative Writing program, are first admitted to the non-thesis l track (Track B).  Students who then wish to transfer to the thesis track may submit a request to the department at the end of their first year of study; applications will be considered based on academic achievements of that year. Please note that students must already have arranged a supervisor for their thesis upon applying for the thesis track.   
  

Admission Requirements:    

Before applying, please note that all students applying for any program within the English Literature and Linguistics Department must first apply through the department. Please visit the department’s website for the specific application requirements for each track. Those who register through the university first who are later rejected by the department will not be refunded the initial registration fee. As such, please be sure to contact the department first before applying through the university’s general online system.   

1. Linguistics - A B.A. in Linguistics or equivalent with a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 80 for the non-thesis track, and a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 88 for the thesis track.   

• Prerequisite/ hashlamot Courses: Candidates who do not hold a B.A. in Linguistics should expect to be assigned pre-requisite (hashlamot) courses- up to 10 credits- prior to beginning their first official year in the program and must complete each course with a grade of an 80 or higher in order to continue in the non-thesis track.   

• To move to the thesis track, students must complete each prerequisite course with a grade of an 88 or higher and at least a 90 in the seminar to be able to transition to a thesis track. Students in the non-thesis track may request to move to the thesis track in their second year but must first find an advisor within the department's faculty who will supervise their thesis.   Please note that the cost of these courses is not included in the standard tuition fees and the credits will not count toward the M.A. requirements.   

2. Linguistics in Clinical Research - A B.A. in Communication Disorders, Psychology, Brain Science Studies, Special Education, Speech and Language Pathology or an equivalent discipline, with a minimum grade point average of 85 for the non-thesis track and for the thesis track.   

• The passing grade for students in prerequisite courses in Clinical Research is an 85 in order to continue in the non-thesis track. To move to the thesis track, students must complete each course with a grade of 88 or higher, and at least a 90 in the seminar.    

3. English Literature - A B.A. with a grade point average of 85 at least is required for both the thesis and non-thesis tracks.   

• We will review each candidate's application and decide whether to accept them and whether they need to take additional background/pre-requisite courses (hashlamot). Acceptance decisions are made on a case-by-case basis and are based on multiple factors, including grades, writing ability and overall academic skill level.   

• Applicants whose B.A. is not in English Literature should expect to be assigned prerequisite courses from our B.A. program during their first year. The number of pre-requisites and the specific courses will be determined by the Graduate Committee based on the candidate's previous studies. The cost of these courses is not included in the standard tuition fees and the credits will not count toward the M.A. requirements. The cumulative average in these courses must be at least an 85 in order to remain enrolled in the program. Any other courses taken in the first year should be M.A.- level courses.   

• All students (unless confirmed otherwise by our Graduate Coordinator) will begin their degree in the non-thesis track. Students may request to move to the thesis track for their second year, and the Graduate Coordinator will review the student's course work and writing abilities.   

4. Creative Writing - All applicants must have a B.A. degree or equivalent with a minimum grade point average of 85. Students who did not major in English Literature or a related field as undergraduates or graduates will be asked to take prerequisite courses (hashlamot) from the department. The cost of these courses is not included in the standard tuition fees and the credits will not count toward the M.A. requirements.   
     

Application Materials to Submit to the Department   

Candidates are requested to apply directly to the Department of English Literature and Linguistics before applying through the university’s online application form. The department application should indicate the program of interest and include the following materials:   

1. To apply for Linguistics - both the Thesis and Non-thesis tracks- please send the following documents to Dr. Lior Laks (Lior.Laks@biu.ac.il), the graduate coordinator, and cc the department graduate registrar (Judie.Liri@biu.ac.il) 

• Up to date CV   

• Scanned formal transcripts of all prior studies, including course names, instructors and grades   

• Scanned diploma   

2. To apply for Clinical Research in Linguistics - Thesis and Non-thesis tracks- please send the following documents to Prof. Natalia Meir (natalia.meir@biu.ac.il) and Dr. Lior Laks (Lior.Laks@biu.ac.il) and cc the department at  Judie.Liri@biu.ac.il  

• Up to date CV   

• Scanned formal transcripts of all prior studies, including course names, instructors and grades   

• Scanned diploma   

3. To apply for English Literature - Thesis and Non-thesis tracks-students are asked to please upload the following documents to Slideroom. You may see the specific requirements as well as the Slideroom link on the department’s website:   

• Documentation for your previous academic degrees, including transcripts of your grades.   

• A writing sample of an academic essay in English -- preferably on a topic in literature.   

• A short (up to one page) statement of purpose explaining why you want to pursue a graduate degree in English Literature.   

• An up-to-date CV.   

You are welcome to write to Dr. Carra Glatt (carra.glatt@biu.ac.il) with any questions.   

4. To apply for Creative Writing and Literary Translation - students are asked to please upload the following documents to Slideroom. You may see the specific requirements for each genre as well as the Slideroom link on the department’s website:   

• Writing Sample   

• Recommendation Letters   

• Transcripts from previous studies   

You are welcome to write to Prof. Marcela Sulak with any questions at barilanwriting@gmail.com.   
  

M.A. in Linguistics   

Linguistics Track A – Thesis Track   

Credit and Seminar Requirements   

22 credits in total as specified below:    

• 4 Graduate-level Pro-seminars – 8 credits   

• 2 Graduate-level Seminars – 4 credits   

• Linguistics Colloquium – 2 credits    

• Thesis – 8 credits   

Admission to Track A is conditional upon arrangement with a faculty member to serve as thesis advisor.   
  

Jewish Studies   

As per general requirements for the master's degree (see introductory chapter).   
 

Thesis Guidelines   

See School of Graduate Studies Rules and Regulations in the introductory chapter.   
  

Thesis Panel for the Master’s Degree   

The thesis panel is oral and is based on the thesis and its underlying bibliography.     

   

Research proposals are to be submitted by the end of the second year of study.   
  

   

Linguistics Track B – Non-Thesis track   

Credit and Seminar Requirements   

22 credits in total as specified below:    

• 4 Graduate-level Pro-seminars – 8 credits   

• 3 Graduate-level Seminars – 6 credits    

• 3 Courses, Pro-seminars or Seminars in Linguistics that were not already taken during the student’s B.A. – 6 credits    

• Linguistics Colloquium – 2 credits    

• Final Mandatory Oral Exam   
    

Jewish Studies   

As per general requirements for the master's degree (see introductory chapter).   
  

Final Exam for the Master’s Degree   

The exam is oral and based on the curriculum listed above.   

   

Linguistics in Clinical Research   

Linguistics CR Track A – Thesis Track   

Credit and Seminar Requirements   

24 credits in total as specified below:    

• 2 Mandatory Seminars – 4 credits   

• 2 Graduate-level Seminars in Clinical Research and Theoretical Linguistics – 4 credits    

• 3 Graduate-level Pro-seminars in Clinical Research and Theoretical Linguistics – 6 credits    

• Linguistics Colloquium – 2 credits    

• Thesis – 8 credits    

Admission to Track A is conditional upon arrangement with a faculty member to serve as thesis advisor   
  

Jewish Studies   

As per general requirements for the master's degree (see introductory chapter). 
 

Thesis Guidelines   

See School of Graduate Studies Rules and Regulations in the introductory chapter.   
  

Thesis Panel for the Master’s Degree   

The thesis panel is oral and is based on the thesis and its underlying bibliography.   

   

Linguistics CR Track B – Non-thesis Track   

Credit and Seminar Requirements   

24 credits in total as specified below:    

• 2 Mandatory Seminars – 4 credits   

• 3 Graduate-level Seminars in Clinical Research and Theoretical Linguistics – 6 credits    

• 3 Graduate-level Pro-seminars in Clinical Research and Theoretical Linguistics – 6 credits    

• 3 Courses, Pro-seminars or Seminars in Linguistics that were not already taken during the student’s B.A. – 6 credits    

• Linguistics Colloquium – 2 credits    

• Final Mandatory Oral Exam   

 

Jewish Studies   

As per general requirements for the master's degree (see introductory chapter).   

Final Exam for the Master’s Degree   

The exam is based on the curriculum listed above.   

   

English Literature   

Literature Track A – Thesis Track   

Credit and Seminar Requirements    

20 credits in total as specified below:    

• 2 Mandatory Seminars – 4 credits   

• 4 Graduate-level Seminars – 8 credits    

• Preparatory course for Research Proposal – 2 credits    

• Thesis – 6 credits       

Admission to Track A is conditional upon arrangement with a faculty member to serve as thesis advisor.   

Jewish Studies   

As per general requirements for the master's degree (see introductory chapter).   

Thesis Guidelines   

See School of Graduate Studies Rules and Regulations in the introductory chapter.   

Thesis Panel for the Master’s Degree   

The thesis panel is oral and is based on the thesis and its underlying bibliography.   

   

Literature Track B – Non-thesis Track   

Credit and Seminar Requirements   

20 credits in total as specified below:    

• 1 Mandatory Seminars – 2 credits   

• 4 Undergraduate or Graduate level Courses or Seminars – 8 credits    

• 5 Graduate-level seminars – 10 credits    

Jewish Studies   

As per general requirements for the master's degree (see introductory chapter).   

   

Creative Writing and Literary Translation   

Credit and seminar requirements:    

20 Credits in total as specified below:    

• 3 Creative Writing Seminars (workshops) – 6 credits    

• 4 Graduate-level Elective Literature Seminars – 8 credits    

• Thesis – 6 credits    

* Students who take the Literary Translation genre are required to take 1 Graduate-level mandatory seminar (2 credits) and 3 Graduate-level Elective Seminars (6 credits) instead of 4 Elective Seminars. 

Jewish Studies   

As per general requirements for the master's degree (see introductory chapter).   

Thesis Guidelines   

See School of Graduate Studies Rules and Regulations in the introductory chapter.  

Thesis Panel for the Master’s Degree   

The final thesis panel is oral and is based on the thesis and its underlying bibliography.   

   

Research proposals are to be submitted by the end of the second year of study.   

   

M.A. Faculty Coordinators:   

M.A. in Linguistics: Dr. Lior Laks - Lior.Laks@biu.ac.il   

M.A. in Linguistics in Clinical Research: Prof. Natalia Meir - natalia.meir@biu.ac.il    

M.A. in English Literature: Prof. William Kolbrener - William.Kolbrener@biu.ac.il; Dr. Carra Glatt - carra.glatt@biu.ac.il   

M.A. in Creative Writing and Literary Translation: Prof. Marcela Sulak - barilanwriting@gmail.com   

   

Details on the specific programs may be found at the Department of English Literature and Linguistics website 

   

Ph.D.   

Areas of Specialization   

English and American literature   

1. English literature through the ages  

2. American literature through the ages   

3. Literary theory and literary criticism   

4. Literary theory   

5. Poetry and song   

6. Women’s literature   

7. English Jewish Literature    

8. Jewish approaches to literature and theory   

9. Literature and pedagogy   

10. Literature and religion     

Linguistics   

Note: Departmental linguistic research work may focus on any language that the student wishes to study, by approval of the advisor.   

General Theoretical Linguistics     

1. Syntax   

2. Formal semantics  

3. Pragmatics   

4. Morphology and phonology   

Psycholinguistics and Applied Linguistics   

1. Mother tongue acquisition    

2. Developmental speech pathologies in monolingual and multilingual children   

3. Bilingualism   

4. Linguistics in clinical research   

5. Second language acquisition   

6. Reading acquisition   

7.  Language processing   

Neurolinguistics   

1. Language pathways in the brain   

2. Neural pathways circuits and reading   

3. Neural basis of stuttering     

Sociolinguistics   
      

For more details, please contact the department  
at 03-5318238, 03-5318236 and Judie.Liri@biu.ac.il   

    

Ph.D. Faculty Coordinators:   

Ph.D. in Linguistics: Dr. Lior Laks - Lior.Laks@biu.ac.il 

Ph.D. in Linguistics in Clinical Research: Prof. Natalia Meir -     natalia.meir@biu.ac.il   

Ph.D. in English Literature: Prof. William Kolbrener -  William.Kolbrener@biu.ac.il; Dr. Carra Glatt - carra.glatt@biu.ac.il   

 Details on the specific programs may be found at the Department of English Literature and Linguistics website