Cinema & Comparative Literature
MA in Comparative Literature
The Master of Arts degree in Comparative Literature is an advanced degree for students who wish to study literature in an international context. The degree may serve purposes of general literary education or prepare for teaching in two or more literatures. Alternatively, it may lead to further graduate work in Comparative Literature, English or foreign literature, or other related fields. Candidates for the Master of Arts in Comparative Literature study two literatures (one of which may be English or American) within a chosen area of specialization (normally a period or genre). All literature(s) chosen must be studied in their original language. In addition, the student takes courses in critical theory. Students who intend to pursue the Ph.D. in Comparative Literature are expected to work toward competence in a third literature.
Requirements for Completion of the M.A. with Comprehensive Exam
There are four requirements for course work leading to the Master of Arts in Comparative Literature:
- Twelve semester hours of course work in Comparative Literature; at least one course must be a graduate seminar.
- Nine semester hours in the literature of one foreign language.
- Nine semester hours centered in a second literature in the original language.
- Six semester hours in electives to be chosen at the discretion of the student in consultation with an adviser. These electives should allow students to work on particular areas where they and their advisers feel additional study is warranted.
Comprehensive Examination
After completing course work, the student takes a written and an oral comprehensive examination on his or her individual reading list. This list is divided into three sections reflecting the main divisions of the student's curriculum:
A) Comparative Literature and Criticism
B) The National Literature(s) of a foreign language
C) Works involving concentration in a second national literature, interarts, or interdisciplinary studies.
Examination reading lists are determined in consultation with an examination committee of three faculty members in language and literature. At least two of the three committee members are to be faculty in the Comparative Literature Program. Examinations are written over a period of six hours. The oral portion of the examination should:
- explore questions raised in the written portion of the examination;
- entertain discussion of a candidate's perception of his or her overall achievement in the Program, and;
- serve as a final advising session, given that the M.A. is prerequisite to further advanced academic work in Comparative Literature and related fields.
Requirements for Completion of the M.A. with Thesis
Students who wish the practical experience of writing an extended piece of original scholarly work may pursue the M.A. in a course of study including a thesis.
The course of study requires a minimum of 30 semester hours of course work distributed according to points 1-3 (above). The remaining credits required would consist of either 3 hours of electives and 3 hours of thesis OR 6 hours of thesis. The topic of the thesis should involve at least one foreign language in the original, although the topic need not be explicitly comparative. Translations are permitted provided that all the work to be translated is approved in advance by the advisory committee and that the translation is preceded by a critical introduction.
An oral defense of the M.A. thesis is required. The defense, normally one to two hours in length, concerns the substance of the thesis and the relation of the thesis to problems and issues in comparative literature. The oral thesis defense may involve discussion of broader issues. It replaces the written and oral examinations described above under the non-thesis option.
Language Requirements for Admission
Candidates for the M.A. program must be prepared to take upper-division courses (100-level and above that require prior completion of at least three years of language study at college level or its equivalent) in one literature in a foreign language.
Financial Support
The Program normally provides financial support for four semesters to M.A. candidates in good standing. The term of support for students who enter with previous graduate credit will vary according to the number of transfer credits accepted.
M.A. Degree in Passing
The M.A. Degree in Passing is awarded upon successful completion of the Ph.D. Comprehensive Examination. M.F.A. in Translation Please refer to Guidelines for the M.F.A. in Translation.
