Master’s Degree
The master’s degree in Languages and Literatures of Europe and
the Americas is based on the view that European culture is a unity that
expresses itself in the different European languages and literatures.
This culture finds its roots in the classical civilizations of ancient
Greece and Rome and currently extends far beyond the geographical boundaries
of Europe.
The department has designed the master’s program to emphasize this
unity of culture, while at the same time preserving high standards of
competence and performance in a particular language area. This aim is
accomplished by providing a common core of courses for all students
in the program, yet allowing for concentration in a given language and
literature.
Students are encouraged to extend their competence by taking courses
in languages outside their area of concentration. The program aims for
flexibility in order to promote individual interests. It recognizes
current job needs in which knowledge of two or more languages is useful
and often required.
Each candidate will choose an area of concentration from the following:
Classics, French, German, Russian, or Spanish.
Admission Requirements
In addition to meeting the requirements of the Graduate Division, applicants
must have the following:
1. A major or its equivalent in the chosen area of concentration with
a minimum GPA of 3.0 (B);
2. The competence equivalent to two years of study at the college level
in a second foreign language. For candidates in Classics, one foreign
language is required in addition to Latin and/or Greek;
Applicants with deficiencies may be accepted provisionally, but course
work taken to make up deficiencies may not be counted toward satisfaction
of the degree requirements. Students deficient in a second modern language
are strongly advised to make up this deficiency as soon as possible
in order to participate meaningfully in the interdisciplinary aspects
of the program.
Requirements
All students in the program will be required to
- present during the first semester a plan of study approved by the
graduate chair, two graduate faculty members from the area of concentration,
and, if a significant number of credits from another department is
elected, a member of the graduate faculty from that department;
- earn 6 credit hours selected from among the core courses (LLEA 680,
681, 682, and 683);
- satisfy remaining specific requirements in the area of concentration;
and
- pass satisfactorily the comprehensive examinations required in the
area of concentration.
Students who select Plan A (thesis) in their area of concentration
must present a thesis proposal, including justification of the topic
and a bibliography, for approval by the thesis director and two members
of the thesis committee before the end of the second semester of work.
The completed thesis must be presented to the thesis committee at least
four weeks before the Graduate Division deadline. The Graduate Division
requires all theses to be written in English.
All graduate students must take at least one 600-level course in the
selected area of concentration each semester.
The core courses are designed to show how the European languages and
literature are interconnected and stem from a common influence in classical
antiquity. Although the courses are taught in English, candidates are
expected to read the works from their own area of concentration in the
original language.
Classics Requirements
Since no GRE scores are required, more weight will be given to the
candidate’s achievement at the undergraduate level, as evidenced
by grades and recommendations. Candidates who are unable to meet the
two-year foreign language requirement upon entrance will be required
to make up the deficiency before receiving the MA.
Plan A (thesis) requires a minimum of 30 credit hours in Greek and/or
Latin; it is intended primarily for prospective PhD candidates. Under
this plan, students must complete 24 credit hours, at least 12 of these
in courses numbered 600 and above and at least 6 of these in LLEA 680,
681, 682, and 683. Students must also take 6 credit hours of thesis
research under a sponsor of their choice and defend the thesis at a
final oral examination.
Plan B (non-thesis) requires a minimum of 30 credit hours in Greek
and/or Latin; it is intended primarily for prospective high school teachers.
Under this plan, students must take 30 credit hours, at least 18 of
these in courses numbered 600 and above and at least 6 in LLEA 680,
681, 682, and 683. Students must also pass a final comprehensive examination
on Greek and Roman literature.