Languages, Literatures and Cultures, MA
Learning Outcomes
- Students will analyze and discuss texts in the target languages, both orally and in writing.
- Students will demonstrate basic mastery of literary and cultural theory and research methods.
- Students will produce original research which will demonstrate their use of appropriate graduate-level discourse in the target languages pertinent to the topic at hand.
- Students will demonstrate basic mastery of the history of literary theory.
- Students will demonstrate basic mastery of two literatures.
- Students will demonstrate an understanding of a broad literary culture.
- Students will analyze and discuss texts in the target language, both orally and in writing.
- Students will demonstrate basic mastery of literary and cultural theory and research methods.
- Students will produce original research which will demonstrate their use of appropriate graduate-level discourse in the target language pertinent to the topic at hand.
- Students will evaluate previous scholarship on French and/or Francophone literary and cultural expression.
- Students will demonstrate familiarity with the history and structure of the French language.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to read competently in a third language other than French or English.
- Students will analyze and discuss texts in the target language, both orally and in writing.
- Students will demonstrate basic mastery of literary and cultural theory and research methods.
- Students will produce original research which will demonstrate their use of appropriate graduate-level discourse in the target language pertinent to the topic at hand.
- Students will demonstrate basic mastery of the literature, culture, and intellectual traditions of the German speaking countries.
- Students will demonstrate near-native competence in the German language, both orally and written.
- Students will demonstrate familiarity with the history and structure of the German language.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of a third language other than German or English sufficient for reading and research purposes.
- Graduate teaching assistants will demonstrate applied and theoretical knowledge of second language acquisition as part of their professional development.
- Students will analyze and discuss texts in the target language, both orally and in writing.
- Students will demonstrate basic mastery of literary and cultural theory and research methods.
- Students will produce original research which will demonstrate their use of appropriate graduate-level discourse in the target language pertinent to the topic at hand.
Admissions
Comparative Literature Concentration
The following are guidelines, not minimums for acceptance. It is recognized that each student is unique, and applicants are considered on an individual basis. Candidates must hold a B.A. degree from an accredited college or university, and should provide evidence of work in literature and a foreign language. GRE scores are not required for the Comparative Literature Concentration, although candidates are welcome to submit them should they wish to do so. An applicant whose native language is not English is required to submit a satisfactory score on the TOEFL or the IELTS Intl. Academic Course Type 2 exam. The minimum acceptable score on the TOEFL is 80 (iBT), or 570 (paper-based). The minimum acceptable overall band score on the IETLS Intl. Academic Course Type 2 exam is 6.5.
Students are invited to go to the Graduate School website and apply online. Required materials include the following:
- 3 letters of recommendation from instructors familiar with the student’s academic work. (The online application system will prompt you for the email addresses of your recommenders, so that they can submit recommendations confidentially.)
- complete transcripts from all post-secondary institutions
- a 300-word statement of purpose written in English that explains the connection between UofSC’s programs and your personal goals
- a writing sample (in the relevant language; English for non-natives of the English language) of approximately 3,000 words. This could be a paper written for an undergraduate course or an essay prepared specifically for the application.
In order to test speaking skills in Spanish, French, or German, (and, for non-native speakers, English), a Comparative Literature faculty member will set up a virtual meeting with you at some point after you have submitted your application.
Applicants who wish to be considered for an assistantship must apply by January 15.
Applications submitted to the Department after June 1 will not be processed for the Fall semester but for the following Spring.
In order to pursue the Comparative Literature Concentration, candidates may be required to make up any language proficiency deficiencies that may be shown by a diagnostic examination. The department reserves the right to require its degree candidates to audit or enroll in undergraduate courses when advisable.
French Concentration
The following are guidelines, not minimums for acceptance. It is recognized that each student is unique, and applicants are considered on an individual basis. Candidates must hold a B.A. degree with an undergraduate major (or its equivalent) in French (if from a North American institution). GRE scores are not required for the French Concentration, although candidates are welcome to submit them should they wish to do so. An applicant whose native language is not English is required to submit a satisfactory score on the TOEFL or the IELTS Intl. Academic Course Type 2 exam. The minimum acceptable score on the TOEFL is 80 (iBT), or 570 (paper-based). The minimum acceptable overall band score on the IETLS Intl. Academic Course Type 2 exam is 6.5.
Students are invited to go to the Graduate School website and apply online. Required materials include the following:
- 3 letters of recommendation from instructors familiar with the student’s academic work. (The online application system will prompt you for the email addresses of your recommenders, so that they can submit recommendations confidentially.)
- complete transcripts from all post-secondary institutions
- a 300-word statement of purpose written in English
- a writing sample of approximately 3,000 words, written in French (written in English for students whose native language is French)
In order to test speaking skills in French (and, for non-native speakers, English), a French faculty member will set up a virtual meeting with you at some point after you have submitted your application.
Applicants who wish to be considered for an assistantship must apply by January 15.
Applications submitted to the Department after June 1 will not be processed for the Fall semester but for the following Spring.
In order to pursue the French Concentration, candidates may be required to make up any language proficiency deficiencies that may be shown by a diagnostic examination. The department reserves the right to require its degree candidates to audit or enroll in undergraduate courses when advisable.
German Concentration
The following are guidelines, not minimums for acceptance. It is recognized that each student is unique, and applicants are considered on an individual basis. Candidates must hold a B.A. degree in German or a related field from an accredited college or university. GRE scores are not required for the German Concentration, although candidates are welcome to submit them should they wish to do so. An applicant whose native language is not English is required to submit a satisfactory score on the TOEFL or the IELTS Intl. Academic Course Type 2 exam. The minimum acceptable score on the TOEFL is 80 (iBT), or 570 (paper-based). The minimum acceptable overall band score on the IETLS Intl. Academic Course Type 2 exam is 6.5.
Students are invited to go to the Graduate School website and apply online. Required materials include the following:
- 3 letters of recommendation from instructors familiar with the student’s academic work. (The online application system will prompt you for the email addresses of your recommenders, so that they can submit recommendations confidentially.)
- complete transcripts from all post-secondary institutions
- a 300-word statement of purpose written in English
- a writing sample of approximately 3,000 words, written in German (written in English for students whose native language is German)
In order to test speaking skills in German (and, for non-native speakers, English), a German faculty member will set up a virtual meeting with you at some point after you have submitted your application.
Applicants who wish to be considered for an assistantship must apply by January 15.
Applications submitted to the Department after June 1 will not be processed for the Fall semester but for the following Spring.
In order to pursue the German Concentration, candidates may be required to make up any proficiency deficiencies demonstrated on a diagnostic examination. The department reserves the right to require its degree candidates to audit or enroll in undergraduate courses when advisable.
Spanish Concentration
The following are guidelines, not minimums for acceptance. It is recognized that each student is unique, and applicants are considered on an individual basis. Candidates must hold a B.A. degree in Spanish or a related field from an accredited college or university. Graduates of foreign university programs where Spanish is the official language may be able, with permission of the Spanish graduate advisor, to substitute this experience for a Spanish major. GRE scores are not required for the Spanish Concentration, although candidates are welcome to submit them should they wish to do so. An applicant whose native language is not English is required to submit a satisfactory score on the TOEFL or the IELTS Intl. Academic Course Type 2 exam. The minimum acceptable score on the TOEFL is 80 (iBT) or 570 (paper-based). The minimum acceptable overall band score on the IELTS Intl. Academic Course Type 2 exam is 6.5.
Students are invited to go to the Graduate School website and apply online. Required materials include the following:
- 3 letters of recommendation from instructors familiar with the student’s academic work. (The online application system will prompt you for the email addresses of your recommenders, so that they can submit recommendations confidentially.)
- complete transcripts from all post-secondary institutions
- a 300-word maximum statement of purpose
- a writing sample of approximately 3,000 words, written in Spanish (in English for those students whose native language is Spanish)
In order to test speaking skills in Spanish (and, for non-native speakers, in English), a Spanish faculty member will set up a virtual meeting with you at some point after you have submitted your application.
Applicants who wish to be considered for an assistantship must apply by January 15.
Applications submitted to the Department after June 1 will not be processed for the Fall semester but for the following Spring.
In order to pursue the Spanish Concentration, candidates may be required to make up any proficiency deficiencies demonstrated on a diagnostic examination. The department reserves the right to require its candidates for the degree of MA to take special examinations on any undergrad courses when advisable.
Degree Requirements
Comparative Literature Concentration (33 Hours)
Candidates for the M.A. in Languages, Literatures, and Cultures: Comparative Literature Concentration must take graduate-level literature courses in one foreign language and study at least two national literatures. The written portion of the M.A. comprehensive exam is identical to the Comparative Literature Ph.D. qualifying exam. Students will write a thesis on a topic chosen by them in conjunction with their committee and the graduate director. The thesis will culminate in an oral defense.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: | 9 | |
| The Teaching of Foreign Languages in College 1 | ||
Advisor-approved course in Literacy or Cultural Theory | ||
Advisor-approved course in Literature or Culture | ||
| Comparative Literature 2 | 6-9 | |
| Classics of Western Literary Theory | ||
| Modern Literary Theory | ||
| Topics in Contemporary Literary Theory | ||
| First Literature 2 | 6-9 | |
Select three graduate courses | ||
| Second Literature 2 | ||
Select two graduate courses | ||
| Thesis | 6 | |
| Thesis Preparation | ||
- 1
Required of all graduate teaching assistants.
- 2
Students who have taken 1 of these courses to satisfy the common requirement for an advisor-approved course in Literary or Cultural Theory do not need to re-take it.
French Concentration (33 Hours)
The M.A. in Languages, Literatures, and Cultures: French Concentration requires, in addition to course work, a written and oral comprehensive examination based on a reading list and demonstration of a reading knowledge in a third language other than French or English. (Students whose native language is neither English nor French already satisfy the third language requirement.) At least 18 semester hours (thesis option) or 24 semester hours (non-thesis option) must be taken in 700-level or above courses.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: | ||
| The Teaching of Foreign Languages in College 1 | ||
Advisor-approved course in Literacy or Cultural Theory | ||
Advisor-approved course in Literature or Culture | ||
| Thesis Option | 24 | |
Candidates who elect to write an M.A. thesis will take 24 semester hours of course work, which should include at least 3 and up to 6 hours of FREN 799. In addition, they will submit a thesis and will present a final oral defense of the thesis. | ||
| French Linguistics | ||
| Non-Thesis Option | 24 | |
Candidates who elect to replace the M.A. thesis with extra course work must complete 24 hours of graduate-level courses, which may not include FREN 799. They must also submit a substantial research project, typically a revised and expanded version of a paper written for one of the M.A. courses. | ||
| French Linguistics | ||
- 1
Or an equivalent approved substitute is required of all graduate teaching assistants.
German Concentration (33 Hours)
The three basic requirements for the degree of M.A. in Languages, Literatures, and Cultures: German Concentration consist of 33 semester hours of course work, a written and oral comprehensive examination, and demonstration of a reading knowledge in a third language other than German or English. (Students whose native language is neither English nor German already satisfy the third language requirement.) At least 18 semester hours (thesis option) or 24 semester hours (non-thesis option) must be taken in 700-level or above courses.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: | 9 | |
| The Teaching of Foreign Languages in College 1 | ||
Advisor-approved course in Literary or Cultural Theory | ||
Advisor-approved course in Literature or Culture | ||
| Thesis Option | 24 | |
Students who write a thesis must take a total of 24 semester hours, which should include at least 3 and up to 6 hours of GERM 799. There is a final oral examination for students who write a thesis. | ||
| Non-Thesis Option | 24 | |
Students who do not write a thesis must submit an enhanced seminar paper; they are required to take a total of 24 semester hours of course work. | ||
- 1
Or an equivalent approved substitute is required of all graduate teaching assistants.
Spanish Concentration (33 Hours)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: | 9 | |
| The Teaching of Foreign Languages in College 1 | ||
Advisor-approved course in Literary or Cultural Theory | ||
Advisor-approved course in Literature or Culture | ||
| Thesis Option | 24 | |
| Graduate Coursework: | ||
| Introduction to Spanish Linguistics | ||
at least 1 SPAN course 700-level or above | ||
at least 3 and up to 6 hours of SPAN 799 | ||
| Reading Knowledge of a Third Language | ||
Demonstrate a reading knowledge of a language other than Spanish and English by passing the graduate reading exam or the 615 course in that language. Students whose native language is neither English nor Spanish already satisfy the third language requirement. | ||
| Advanced Oral and Written Knowledge of Spanish | ||
Demonstrate both oral and written control of Spanish at the advanced level both through coursework and in the comprehensive examination. | ||
| Comprehensive Examination | ||
Successfully complete a comprehensive examination. | ||
| Thesis | ||
Present and successfully defend an M.A. thesis. | ||
| Non-Thesis Option | 24 | |
| Graduate Coursework in Spanish | ||
| Introduction to Spanish Linguistics | ||
at least 1 SPAN course 700-level or above | ||
| Reading Knowledge of a Third Language | ||
Demonstrate a reading knowledge of a language other than Spanish and English by passing the graduate reading exam or the 615 course in that language. Students whose native language is neither English nor Spanish already satisfy the third language requirement. | ||
| Advanced Oral and Written Knowledge of Spanish | ||
Demonstrate both oral and written control of Spanish at the advanced level both through coursework and in the comprehensive examination. | ||
| Comprehensive Examination | ||
Successfully complete a comprehensive examination. | ||
- 1
With permission of the Spanish graduate advisor, one graduate course in another foreign language, linguistics, comparative literature, women’s and gender studies, or a related area may be taken towards the M.A. concentration in Spanish.