Spanish Language, Literature and Culture, MA

Alicia Ríos
323B HBC
315-443-5379

The M.A. in Spanish language and literature is designed to meet a variety of student goals. The program provides students with thorough preparation for further study at the doctoral level. It also meets the needs of students for whom the master’s degree is a terminal degree and who wish to pursue job opportunities in areas where critical thinking, leadership qualities, and clear, persuasive communication are valued, especially when a superior knowledge of Spanish language and culture is called for.

The M.A. program provides all students with an intensive and balanced introduction to the literature and culture of the Hispanic world, from the pre-Columbian period to the present. Students may take courses in the Renaissance and Baroque periods in Spain and Latin America, the literatures and cultures of contemporary Spain, the Caribbean and Southern Cone of Latin America, and Hispanic linguistics. In addition to the traditional coverage of literary periods, genres, and major authors, students are introduced to a variety of current theoretical and methodological approaches and to the orientations of contemporary theory. Those students interested particularly in linguistics may study general linguistics as well as Hispanic linguistics in the department.

In the M.A. program students work to improve proficiency in the use of the Spanish language. All but three credits of coursework must be taken in Spanish and students have ongoing opportunities to develop their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills at a professional level. The program also permits students to study abroad in a Spanish-speaking country.

The M.A. program provides students with thorough training in research, including the scholarship of discovery, application, dissemination, and teaching. The program enables students to become proficient and discriminating in the use of scholarly resources available at libraries and via the Internet.

Students are prepared to be effective and committed language instructors. They acquire computer skills relevant to scholarship in the areas of literary criticism and language instruction. They have the opportunity to obtain the Certificate in University Teaching through participation in the Future Professoriate program.

Program Requirements

Students must complete 33 credits above the bachelor’s degree for the Spanish master’s. With Spanish faculty approval, up to three of these credits may be taken outside the Spanish program in a related field of study. SPA 601 - Literary Theory and Research Methods is required of all students.

All students must complete a seven-part M.A. qualifying exam and oral defense to graduate from the program. Exceptional students may choose to write an M.A. thesis in addition to the exams. Students who choose to write a thesis may register for up to three thesis credits and may be exempt from the one exam area most closely related to the thesis.