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MAFLL Program Description

As the collaborative graduate program of the foreign language departments at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, the Master of Arts in Foreign Language and Literature is interdisciplinary in nature. The program is designed to:

1. focus on language and literature as areas of academic investigation broader than national and linguistic borders, and
2. encourage the study of language and literature on a cross-cultural basis as an integrated field of inquiry.

Credits

The typical MAFLL Program consists of 30 credits in course work at the graduate level. Whatever the individual program of study, all study plans except translation will include 6 credits in "core seminars" (see below), chosen according to your preferences and intentions. The remaining 24 credits are selected by you with the approval of your Major Professor. At least fifteen of these must be devoted to courses in your area of concentration. A maximum of 6 credits may be earned by preparation of a thesis. (See Plan of Study)

It is also possible to concentrate in two areas (for example, two languages) for a total of 36 credits.

The interdisciplinary nature of the MAFLL program is evident in the core seminar requirement, the advising process and the colloquia.

• Core Seminars. These seminars are taught by two professors from differing fields, concentrating on general topics of interest to graduate students in language and literature, like genre, literary criticism, and language teaching methodology. The interaction that results gives you a broader understanding of these topics than you might get from a course taught by only one professor. Two of these courses are required of all MAFLL graduate students except those in the translation track (see Courses).
  
  
• Students plan individual study programs in consultation with a major professor in their primary area and have the opportunity to determine a broad focal area consonant with their personal interests and professional goals. You may enroll in interdisciplinary courses conducted by resident or visiting faculty in various disciplines and fields. In addition to your major professor, you can draw on the expertise of MAFLL faculty members in related fields, who may serve as well on your examination committee.
  
  
• Colloquia. The on-going colloquia series features monthly presentations by faculty and graduate students on their research in various specializations.

The MAFLL program has expanded its scope in the decades since its inception (in 1976), keeping pace with developments in the disciplines and the professions. In addition to concentrations in comparative literature, linguistics, or a specific language, literature, and culture, there are expanded possibilities for concentrations across disciplines and schools:

• second language acquisition theory and linguistics;
• language and foreign language methodology and pedagogy;
• translation concentration that gives training in professional translation and some interpreting. This can be done primarily in French, German, and Spanish. Visit the Graduate Certificate Program in Translation web site for more information.

MAFLL/MLIS Coordinated Degree Program with the School of Information Studies to prepare students for specialized positions in libraries. Through the Master of Arts in Foreign Language and Literature/Master of Library and Information Studies program, students can receive two master's degrees for fewer credits than if they took the two programs separately. Requirements of both programs must be met; you pursue your work in both programs concurrently, and will be awarded the degrees simultaneously.