Program/Course Requirements

In addition to Faculty of Graduate Studies requirements and Faculty of Arts requirements, the Department requires:

a) Thirty units, including LLAC600, LLAC601, and, depending on research perspective, either LLAC602 or LLAC603.

b) A written essay (of approximately 20 pages), to form the basis for the Capstone Examination.

Applicants lacking the requisite background in language or literature may be admitted as qualifying students. In this case, extra course work is normally required. A qualifying oral examination based on set texts may be required before the students attain regular Master of Arts status. Courses taken as a qualifying student do not normally count as part of the student's course requirements.

Copyediting

The program prohibits copyediting of the students' theses written in French or Spanish for the MA or PhD degrees.

Note: Normally no more than 3 units of Directed Reading may be taken for credit.

a) All students are encouraged to attend University orientation sessions. Students enrolled in a Fall Block week course are encouraged to attend an orientation session at the earliest opportunity.

b) Our graduate students are expected to complete training that will enhance their profile as a Language Teacher. Beyond Languages, Literatures and Cultures 601, training may include further courses such as:

LANG615
LANG625
LANG699
EDER613
EDER667
EDER669
EDER696
DELE/DELF/German CEFR examiner accreditation courses

These courses do not count towards degree requirements.

It is also highly recommended that students avail themselves of other training offered by the Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning.

c) MA students in French and Spanish have a knowledge areas requirement that must be satisfied by the first month of the second year in program, or, as appropriate, one month after the completion of course work, whichever occurs first. MA students in French are expected to complete coursework that fulfills five knowledge areas, and MA students in Spanish are expected to complete coursework on all of the knowledge areas.

Knowledge areas: French

Medieval and Early Modern French Literature and Culture, Modern French Literature and Culture, Contemporary Literature and Culture of France, Franco-Canadian and Québécois Literature and Culture, Francophone Studies (outside Canada), History or Theories of Language, Theories of Culture or Literature.

Knowledge areas: Spanish

Medieval and early Modern Spanish Literature and Culture, Spanish American Literature and Culture to 1900, Modern and Contemporary Peninsular Literature and Culture, Latin American Literature and Culture since 1900, History or Theories of Language, Theories of Culture or Literature.

When studying an application for admission, the Graduate Program Director, in consultation with the Graduate Committee, will determine, based on undergraduate transcripts, which of the required knowledge areas have not yet been satisfied. Where the appropriateness of a course to fulfill a knowledge area is in doubt, a syllabus and/or a course description will be requested from the applicant. Upon admission, students will be advised of any specific course or other work needed to fulfill this requirement. Unfulfilled knowledge areas may be accomplished by either completing a graduate course in the area, which will form part of the course requirements (or may be in addition to them), or by completing specific readings under the supervision of an area specialist followed by demonstration of good knowledge of the specific area. This will be in the form of a paper written in response to a specific question, followed by an evaluation of the paper and an oral exam with the area specialist and another member of the School.

d) Graduate students must consult with the Graduate Program Director concerning course selection, leave of absence, course or program withdrawal.

Additional Program Information

Completion requirement

Advanced Credit

The applicant must make advanced credit requests as part of the admission process, as set out in section Advanced Credit.

Flexible Grade Option (CG Grade)

The Languages, Literatures and Culture program in the School of Languages, Linguistics, Literatures and Cultures will not permit the Flexible Grade Option (CG Grade) for any course offered by the Languages, Literatures and Culture Program.

Students may not choose the CG grade for a course taken extra to load.

The use of the CG grade will affect students' eligibility for internal awards.

Credit for Undergraduate Courses

Only in exceptional circumstances and where appropriate to a student’s program may graduate credit be received for courses numbered 500-599. No more than 6 units can be at the 500 level.

Time Limit

Expected completion time for full-time students in a course-based MA program is two years. Maximum completion time is six years.

Supervisory Assignments and Required Examinations

Completion requirement

Supervisory Assignments

The Graduate Program Director is normally the interim supervisor for newly admitted students. Students are expected to choose a permanent supervisor by the end of the second regular academic session after first registration (April 30 for September registrants and December 15 for January registrants). Selection of a supervisor should be by mutual agreement between the student and the staff member concerned, approved by the Graduate Program Director, and is based on the stated research interests of the students, the disciplinary expertise of faculty members and program capacity.

Capstone Examinations

The course-based programs require a capstone comprehensive examination with a written and an oral component, taken after the completion of all course work and any other requirement such as the knowledge areas requirement. Students are required, as early as possible and, in any case, at least before registering for a final semester, to file the reading list on their chosen area of specialization with the program’s Graduate Committee. The list should be drafted after consultation with the student’s supervisor and approved by that faculty member.

Financial Assistance

Completion requirement

For information on other funding opportunities, see the Awards and Financial Assistance section of this Calendar and the Faculty of Graduate Studies website: grad.ucalgary.ca/awards.

Master of Arts (MA) Course-based in Languages, Literatures and Cultures

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Overview

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Program Details

General Program Information