Overview:

Studying at Al-Quds Open University widens students' horizons and equips them with the bases and origins of world different literary periods, genres, themes and literary figures. Literature is not merely a field of study, it is a tool to preserve nation's culture, and identity. Al-Quds Open University literature program will empower students and enable them to appreciate literary texts and delve into the major themes of literature, develop their skills and have a better understanding of the major roles that literature can play in the history of nations.

Graduates of the M.A. program in English literature at Al-Quds Open University will prepare students for the application to Ph.D. programs and for success in diverse professional areas. Such program will create opportunities for countless number of students to rehearse and refresh their past knowledge and add valuable values. 

The Master of English Literature is designed to provide students with prominent skills in the scholarly analysis of literary texts. The mission of the program is to equip students of Literature with the required skills to promote writing, critical thinking and proper investigation and enquiry into the realm of literature. The program also aims at promoting an environment for writers, researchers and creative thinkers.

The Master in English Literature aims to achieve the following general objectives:

1. To have competent students who are able to appreciate and taste literature.
2. To have qualified graduates who are able to use literature to defend Palestinian cause.
3. To have a group of graduates who can serve the higher education institutions in Palestine as faculty members.
4. To have a solid literary background crowned with high competent post graduates.
5. To realize the mission of QOU through creating graduates who can serve the national educational policy.

The Master in English Literature aims to achieve the following specific objectives:

1. Building a solid foundation in literary studies and research.
2. Developing critical and creative thinking skills.
3. Helping students express themselves clearly and comprehensibly, orally and in written.
4. Gaining knowledge of relevant fields within the discipline, including literature history, criticism and theory.
5. Analyzing and comparing the different eras in literature and understanding the evolution and changes that affected the literary texts.
6. Enhancing the appreciation of literary text.
7. Enhancing students’ knowledge in the literary-historical studies of texts.
8. Delving in all forms of creative work in poetry, fiction, journalism and drama.
9. Expanding their understanding through the organization and hosting of scholarly meetings.
10. Fostering their research skills which enables them to expand, from a variety of perspectives, their own readings of literature and understanding of language.

Graduates are expected to:

1. Be able to appreciate literature and be acquainted with different literary movements and trends.
2. Be competent enough to occupy excellent academic positions in the Palestinian higher education institutions.
3. Be able to plan, develop, supervise, and evaluate the national and private educational institutions policies.
4. Be competent enough to work for the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Tourism and Education in Palestine.
5. Be able to lead a good position in the Palestinian embassies overseas.
6. Be able to perform a leading role in teaching and practicing recent pedagogies.
7. Gain and possess team spirit to work with others and exchange experiences.
8. Demonstrating the acquired knowledge to serve the national and cultural policy.
9. Be able to exchange experiences, organize conferences and publish research papers.
10. Be able to set cultural forums that serves the national cultural policy.

The Master of Arts in English Literature at Al Quds Open University equips graduates with valuable experience, advanced skills, and expertise, positioning them for success in high-level roles. Graduates of this program have access to a diverse array of career opportunities, including:

1. Literature Tutor in leading colleges and universities, specializing in British and American literature.
2. Employee in the Ministries of Tourism, Education, and Foreign Affairs, utilizing skills from literary and cultural studies.
3. Columnist for local and international newspapers, offering insights on literature and criticism.
4. Advisor in UNRWA, PLO, and NGO institutions, focusing on cultural and educational projects.
5. Tourist Guide and Cultural Advisor in the Ministry of Tourism and Information,
6. School and Educational Institute Supervisor overseeing academic programs and quality assurance.
7. Teacher or Administrator in institutes, colleges, and educational organizations, focusing on 20th and 21st-century literature.
8. Content Developer for educational and literary programs, using modern literary theory and criticism.
9. Cultural Affairs Officer in governmental or international cultural organizations, utilizing a broad literary background.
10. Research Analyst specializing in educational policies and literature, supported by research methods in literary studies.
11. Editor for academic and literary publications, applying critical analysis skills from various literature surveys.
12. Program Coordinator for literary festivals and educational conferences, with insights from Shakespearean studies.
13. Grant Writer for educational and cultural projects, leveraging skills from research seminars.
14. Literary Agent representing authors and managing literary careers, informed by contemporary literature studies.

These opportunities illustrate the versatile and applicable skills gained from a Master’s degree in English Literature at Al Quds Open University, preparing graduates for influential roles across multiple sectors.

The following are the intended outcomes of the Master of Arts Program in English Literature.  General description of acquired knowledge is expected to be developed by the program related concepts: encouraging critical thinking, creative writing, text analysis, research writing, literary appreciation, literary history, biographies, autobiographies, cultural insights, linguistic abilities, social and political knowledge. The most important skills which will be acquired by the students at the end of this program are the following:

A-Knowledge and Comprehension: Related concepts that include:

1. Tasting the significance of English literature through the appreciation of endless topics of literary texts.
2. Reforming knowledge and raising awareness on the part of students in different fields.
3. Enhancing student's abilities in world literature.
4. Conducting research in different literary fields and genres.
5. Following up the outcomes, the student reached in different academic contexts.

B- Cognitive and Intellectual Skills:

1. Distinguishing subtle differences among literary terms.
2. Enhancing student's abilities of discussion, dialogue, expressing ideas and providing solutions.
3. Enabling students to reflect on, analyze, criticize and deduce various literary genres.
4. Developing student's abilities in concept and theory analysis as well as in deduction.
5. Promoting student's capacities in integrating certain concepts and relating them to real- life situations.
6. Enriching student's analytical skills, evaluation and problem solving.

C- Practical Skills:

1. Employing scientific research methods in different literary fields.
2. Mastering the necessary skills for literary debates and criticism.
3. Acquiring a profound experience in studying and appreciating literary texts.
4. Attaining the ability of literary criticism and dialectical discussion.
5. Shaping student's talents required for future career.
6. Forming students' intellectual ability that empowers them to understand the nature of their career.

D- Acquired Skills:

This program will enable students to:

1. Respect their own cultural values and to accept those of others.
2. Develop their skills in report writing, self-learning, communication, research, time management, making rational decisions and constructive dialogue.
3. Build their self- confidence and expand their horizons in approaching real life challenges.

E- Communication Skills and information technology:

1. Promoting the skills of active interaction with others.
2. Deepening good conduct, morals and ethics through the topics integrated in this program.
3. Accepting others, fostering broad-mindedness and revering human values.
4. Accepting criticism, acquiring wisdom objectivity and having good relations with others.
5. Developing student's communication skills through the modern technological innovations.
6. Mastering and employing the skills of presenting and criticizing current literary issues.

F- Behavioral and Ethical Skills:

Creating broad minded students, deepening good conducts and morals in dealing with others, appreciation of different foreign cultures and accepting diversity of thought, faith and belief. The Master of English Literature program will reinforce student's readiness to accept others, listen to them and accept their opinions. Moreover, this program will enable students to employ literature in defending national issues and preserving identity.

These opportunities illustrate the versatile and applicable skills gained from a Master’s degree in English Literature at Al Quds Open University, preparing graduates for influential roles across multiple sectors.