In addition to Faculties of Graduate Studies and Arts requirements, the program requires:

a) Eighteen units, including Languages, Literatures and Cultures 600, 601 and, depending on research perspective, either Languages, Literatures and Cultures 602 or 603.

b) A scholarly and/or critical thesis (approximately 100 pages).

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) Before the end of their second year of study, MA Thesis students are required to make an internal or external presentation relating to their research.

c) Students in the thesis-based programs are also expected to demonstrate their participation in university-wide research activities by attending internal or external scholarly presentations every year in their programs. A minimum of one workshop on language training (see section (d) below) and at least two other presentations are required. Students should list all presentations attended in their Annual Progress Report.

d) 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:

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.

e) 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.

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

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

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General Program Information