World Languages and Cultures
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Total Credits
Program Graduation Requirements
Comparative Literature:
30 credit hours plus 6 MA Thesis or Project hours for a total of 36 hours
MA courses require a minimum grade of B
An emphasis is required for the program:
A minimum of three graduate level courses in CLCS. Courses should be chosen in consultation with CLCS Faculty Advisor.
Courses may be taken more than once if the topic varies.
from the following types of courses:
Three (3) courses outside of CLCS to explore special interests not covered by CLCS coursework, especially areas necessary to the student’s MA Thesis or Project.
One (1) additional CLCS course may count toward this requirement.
These courses should be determined in conjunction with CLCS Faculty Advisor. Options include:
Graduate courses in other MA programs in the Department of World Languages and Cultures.
Graduate sections of undergraduate courses within the Department of World Languages and Cultures.
Directed readings with a specialist in the student’s area of interest within the Department of World Languages and Cultures.
Graduate courses in other departments.
Students may write a traditional thesis of approximately 60-100 pp. or complete a research portfolio (Non-Thesis Project). The research portfolio will normally consist of two revised seminar papers from graduate courses taken in the CLCS MA Program plus one new research paper of approximately 25-35 pp. In exceptional cases, other forms of the portfolio may be approved; however, in all cases, previously submitted seminar papers used for the portfolio must be substantially revised and/or expanded. Both the traditional thesis and the portfolio must meet scholarly standards of critical analysis, research, and proper use of secondary sources.
Students must establish a supervisory committee and submit a project proposal during the spring semester of their first year. Research portfolio (non-thesis project) committees may include, but are not required to include, professors for whom the revised seminar papers were originally submitted.
Students are expected to conduct substantial research during the summer semester between their first and second year. The student's supervisory committee will be responsible for evaluating the acceptability of the student's project work. Toward the end of the fourth semester, students will present themselves for a public thesis defense or portfolio exit interview, which is conducted by their supervisory committee.
Language 1
At least one course in the target language at the 3000 or 4000 level
Language 2
Completion of 2020 in a second language or a PhD Reading Course
Both requirements can be met before beginning the MA Program
All CLCS (Comparative Literature) MA students will take a minimum of 10 courses (30 credit hours) and complete 6 credit hours of Thesis Research or Nonthesis/Project hours.
During the first semester of graduate work, the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS), in conjunction with the Section Coordinator, will be the student’s academic advisor. In late August, the student is to consult with the coordinators and get the written approval for all course work to be taken during the first semester, which will be placed in the student’s departmental file. By March 1 of the first year, the student will form a 3 member Supervisory Committee, in consultation with the Director of Graduate Studies. From then on, the Chair of the Committee will be the student’s advisor in planning her/his academic program and examinations.
And 7 courses in your language area.
One or two of these courses, possibly more in Comparative Literary and Cultural Studies, may be replaced by approved courses.
Students writing a thesis must register for thesis-research credit hours.
Should be taken in the first semester.
Each student must pass a Comprehensive Oral Final Exam at or near the completion of coursework. This Comprehensive Exam will be based on the French M.A. reading list. Students are expected to begin reading for this exam during the summer after their first year at the latest and will be give further advice about preparation in the fall of the 2nd year.
Students must prove “Standard Proficiency” (second-semester language course 1020) in one language other than English and French.
A minimum of 7 graduate courses in Spanish (at least 4 of which must be in literature).
One or two of these courses, possibly more in Comparative Literary and Cultural Studies, may be replaced by approved courses.
Students writing a thesis must register for thesis-research credit hours.
Should be taken in the first semester.
All candidates will take a uniform comprehensive examination based on the MA reading lists revised in Spring 2008. Students may bring the following items with them to the exams: a dictionary, scratch paper, and a blank disk or CD-ROM.
Students will select 3 areas out of the 6 listed on the official MA Reading List, with the following conditions:
At least one area must represent the period before 1700
At least one area must represent the period after 1700
At least one list must cover Peninsular Literature
At least one list must cover Latin American Literature
Students will inform the Spanish Graduate Advisor in writing of her/his exam areas by October 30th. Once the student has expressed these preferences, no changes will be allowed. Written exams are 3 hours long and proctored over the course of 2 days. Within 1-2 weeks after the written exams an oral defense will complete the MA examination process. All exams will take place in March.
Students must prove “Standard Proficiency” (third-semester language course 2010) in one language other than English and Spanish.
Completion of the MA Language Proficiency requirement will satisfy part of this language requirement.