Master of Arts
Coursework
The Department of Romance Languages and Literatures offers the Master of Arts degree in French, Italian, and Spanish languages and literatures, and in a combination of two Romance literatures. For 2008-2009 the eight required courses are as follows:
| French | Italian | Spanish | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn | MA Seminar I | MA Seminar I | |
| two literature courses | two literature courses | three literature courses | |
| Winter | MA Seminar II | MA Seminar II | |
| two literature courses | two literature courses | three literature courses | |
| Spring | French 31500. La Stylistique | MA Seminar III | |
| one literature course | one literature course | two literature courses |
Students must receive grades of B or better in all coursework (except for French MA Seminars, which are pass/fail courses) and on the comprehensive exams in order to receive the M.A. degree. The Department may qualify letter grades with plus or minus marks; except for the grade A+, they appear on the student's official transcript and departmental record. Incompletes are discouraged and are given only in exceptional circumstances.
Students are expected to have a high level of proficiency in their language of specialization. If the Department deems it necessary, a student may be required to enroll in one of the Department's advanced language, composition, or phonetics courses. These courses do not count toward the eight courses required for the MA.
Students are also expected to be familiar with the proper format for writing and documenting course and term papers as presented in such standard references as the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers or Kate Turabian's Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations.
Comprehensive Examinations
During the 7th week of Spring quarter, over a four-five day period, students take comprehensive examinations based on departmental reading lists. The first written exam (three hours) consists of a number of questions which students answer with essays. (A dictionary may be used.) There may also be brief identification questions. The second written exam (also three hours and taken within a day or two of the first) requires a detailed commentary on a passage from a literary text designated ahead of time by the student. (A dictionary may be used.) The one-hour oral exam (taken within the next two days) includes further questions on the reading list as well as questions arising from the written examinations.
Under unusual circumstances, students may petition to postpone the comprehensive exam. A written petition must be submitted to the Chair the first week in April.
M.A. Deadlines
The deadline to submit an on-line degree application is 5 p.m. CST on Friday of the first week of the quarter in which you intend to receive your degree. There are no exceptions to this policy. Any course grades outstanding from autumn and winter terms must be recorded by the Friday of 8th week; all spring course grades must be recorded by the Friday of 11th week. Remember that instructors need time to grade late papers.
M.A. Advisors
Students should consult with their advisors on course registration, examinations, and all scholarly and practical matters concerning their M.A. work. The advisors are Thomas Pavel, French; Rebecca West, Italian; and Agnes Lugo-Ortiz, Spanish.