M.A. Requirements:

Students must take a minimum of 32 hours of courses. These hours will normally be distributed as follows:

1. Comparative Literature (CWL) 501 and 502

2. Two other Comparative Literature seminars from the core sequence 551, 561, 571, 581.

3. 1 or 2 courses in the major literature

4. 1 course in the minor literature

5. 1 or 2 courses freely chosen from the above categories (one may be in a relevant non-literary subject to provide cultural and historical context for the study of literature).

6. At least 5 of the 8 courses must be at the 500-level. Independent study courses, either in CL or in another department, will not normally count towards the 32 required hours. Exceptions may be made in cases when instruction essential to a student's area is not offered in regular course work.

Examinations: At the conclusion of the course work, students shall take a qualifying exam consisting of 3 parts; the three parts are normally completed within a month:

A. A comparative exam based on CWL 501-502 and a reading list of classic works of theory and criticism (3 hours in length).

B. A period exam in the major literature (2 hours in length).

C. A period exam in the minor literature (2 hours in length).

M.A. exams are normally given in September and in April. The examination committee will be made up of faculty appropriate to the student's areas examined. Students should consult with their advisor about the composition of this committee. It is then up to the student to ask the faculty members if they will serve. No later than the semester before the student plans to take the exams, he or she should meet with the examiners to establish reading list on which the examinations will be based. As the comparative exam for the M.A. is based entirely on a list of criticism and theory, the other two lists should emphasize literary texts, although major works of criticism in the field may be included.

M.A. exams will be graded high pass, pass, low pass, or fail. A passing grade does not automatically guarantee admission to the Ph.D program. The program faculty, reviewing both the student's performance on the exams and the student's record in course work, will decide whether the student should receive a terminal M.A. or be eligible for continuation in the Ph.D program. Students taking the M.A. exam should make known to the Program office whether they wish to be considered for admission into the Ph.D program.

The M.A. equivalency exams: The student who enters the Program with a recognized M.A. degree in a literary field may choose to take the M.A. equivalent exams rather than sit for another formal M.A. degree.  The M.A. equivalent exams, which are normally taken at the end of the first year in residence, consist of two exams.

• A comparative literature and critical theory exam based on the contents of CWL 501 and 502 as well as on a reading list of critical theory (3 hours).

• A period exam in a literary field which was NOT the major field of study for the previous M.A. degree.  This exam is also based on a reading list chosen in consultation with the faculty member administering the exam and with the DGS.  (2 hours)

The M.A. equivalent exams are evaluated in the same manner as the regular M.A. exams.  If the student has completed 32 credit hours prior to taking the M.A. equivalent exams but is denied admission to the Ph.D. Program, then that student receives a terminal M.A. degree.  If 32 credit hours have not been completed, then the student is dismissed from the Program without an M.A. degree.