M.A. with an emphasis in Hispanic Linguistics
The master's degree is awarded in recognition of academic accomplishment as demonstrated by a coherent program of course work, passing of the required examinations, and the preparation of either a thesis (Plan A) or two star papers (Plan B).
The MA programs are designed to help students acquire an understanding of the issues that constitute the areas of Spanish and Spanish-American Literatures, Hispanic Linguistics, or Luso-Brazilian Literatures. This objective is to be accomplished by reading and study leading to a comprehensive knowledge of the disciplines, both through the required sequence of 5xxx-level courses and through the student's individual research and preparation. While there is no reading list for the MA, students should expect to do substantial reading beyond the requirements of their courses in order to acquire a historical foundation in their fields, familiarity with the topics and problems of the disciplines, and the necessary critical and theoretical tools to communicate ideas.
Course Requirements
There are 11 courses required for each MA: 8 courses from the core sequences in the major areas, 2 courses outside the program, and the required pedagogy seminar SpPt 5999. Students are expected to complete these courses in two years and to take the MA written and oral examinations in the Spring semester of their second year. For complete descriptions of courses, see the Graduate School Bulletin.
The courses for each MA degree with an emphasis in Hispanic Linguistics are distributed as follows:
Hispanic Literatures
- 4 of the core courses in Peninsular Literature to be chosen among the following: Span 5106, 5107, 5108, 5109, 5111. ONE of the listed courses may be replaced by a 5xxx-level Topics course OR by an 8xxx-level seminar.
- 4 of the core courses in Spanish-American Literature to be chosen among the following: Span 5525, 5526, 5527, 5528, 5529, 5532. ONE of the listed courses may be replaced by a 5xxx-level Topics course OR by an 8xxx-level seminar.
- 2 courses (minimum 8 credits) outside the program. While these courses may be from the other MA programs in the Department, students are strongly urged to take courses outside the Department in order to build towards the Graduate School’s 12 credit Minor or Related Program Work requirement at the Ph.D. Level.
- SpPt 5999: pedagogy course for new Teaching Assistants.
Lusophone Literature
- 4 core courses in Luso-Brazilian Literature (Port 5520, 5530, 5540 and a 59xx Topics course or their equivalent).
- 4 core courses from Spanish or Spanish-American Literature sequences (see above).
- 2 courses outside the program. While these courses may be from the other MA programs in the Department, students are strongly urged to take courses outside the Department in order to build towards the Graduate School's 18 credit Minor or Related Field requirement at the Ph.D. level.
- SpPt 5999: pedagogy course for new Teaching Assistants.
Hispanic Linguistics
- 3 Linguistics prerequisites: SLHS 5304, Ling 5302, Ling 5201 [Note: Ling 5302 can be replaced with Span 5721 and Ling 5201 can be replaced with Span 5713.]
- 5 core courses in Hispanic Linguistics: Span 5701, 5711, 5714 or 5716, a course in language variation, and an elective course in Hispanic Linguistics.
- 2 courses outside the program. While these courses may be from the other MA programs in the Department, students are strongly urged to take courses outside the Department in order to build towards the Graduate School's 18 credit Minor or Related Field requirement at the Ph.D. level.
- SpPt 5999: pedagogy course for new Teaching Assistants.
CORE COURSES
The following is a catalog of the courses which are identified as "core-courses," in each area of concentration. For complete descriptions, see the Graduate School Bulletin.
PENINSULAR LITERATURE:
5106. The Literature of The Reconquest and Feudal Spain 5107. The Literature of The Spanish Empire and its Decline
5108. Don Quixote
5109. The Crisis of the Old Regime: Spanish Literature of The Enlightenment and Romanticism
5111. Contemporary Spanish Literature Since 1915
SPANISH -AMERICAN LITERATURE:
5525. Caribbean Literature: An Integral Approach
5526. Creole Consciousness and Mercantilist Culture (Colonial)
5527. National Literary Consciousness and Free Trade (19th Century)
5528. Popular Consciousness (1900-1950)
5529. National Affirmation and Transnationalization (1950-1970)
5532. Literature and National Disintegration (1970-present)
LUSO-BRAZILIAN LITERATURE:
5520. Portuguese Literary and Cultural Studies
5530. Brazilian Literary and Cultural Studies
5540. Literatures and Cultures of Lusophone Africa
59XX. Topics or Figures Courses
HISPANIC LINGUISTICS:
SLHS 5304. Phonetics
LING 5302. Introduction to Phonology or Span 5721 Spanish Laboratory Phonology
LING 5201. Introduction to Syntax or Span 5713 The Structure of Modern Spanish: Syntax
SPAN 5701. History of Ibero-Romance
SPAN 5711. Phonology
SPAN 5714. Theoretical Foundations of Spanish Syntax or SPAN 5716 The Structure of Modern Spanish: Pragmatics
SPAN 5XXX. Language Variation, such as Span 5732, Span 5985
Substitutions of other 5xxx or 8xxx level courses for core classes in the program may be made by petition to the Graduate Studies Committee.
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
M.A. DEGREE
For the master's degree, students must have a reading knowledge of a foreign language outside of their principal area of study. Competence in both Spanish and Portuguese satisfies this requirement
DIRECTED READINGS
Students interested in developing a directed reading project must file a Directed Reading form with the Department of Spanish and Portuguese Studies. This form must be approved by the instructor and the Director of Graduate Studies. Directed Readings may be taken beyond the 33 credits required for the M.A. program, but they may not act as a substitute for program course work at the MA level.