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Plan of Study

Thesis Option
Comprehensive Examinations

Although the interdisciplinary approach is central to the program, you are allowed maximum self-determination and choice in your specific plans of study provided that coherent and well-defined goals be maintained. This program of graduate study does not diminish specialization but strongly encourages investigation in several related academic fields. In planning an individual program you may design a plan of study with a broad focus on a period, a genre, relationships between literature and other disciplines, or relationships within the literature of a single language area, linguistics, linguistics and a language, foreign language methodology and pedagogy. The Translation concentration follows a prescribed curriculum. (See Translation Certificate)

A typical plan of study (30 credits)

• 2 core seminars (6 cr.)
• 5-8 courses in your area of concentration (15-24 cr.)
• 0-3 interdisciplinary courses (0-9 cr.)

Comparative Literature students must demonstrate a reading knowledge of a second foreign language (in addition to one required for all MAFLL students) prior to taking their Comprehensive Examinations. Reading knowledge may be demonstrated by coursework in the specific foreign language program or by written examination, to be determined with the Major Professor.

Plan of Study Form ( Word, RTF, PDF 28K )

Thesis Option

You may elect to write a thesis. Your Major Professor, in consultation with you will then recommend to the Coordinating Committee the names of a Thesis Director and two readers who will constitute the ad hoc Thesis Committee. You must present a written thesis proposal to, the Thesis Committee and the proposal must be approved by the MAFFL Coordinating Committee before the thesis is written. A maximum of 6 credits of the total 30-credit program may be earned by writing a thesis (but the two core seminars are required).

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Comprehensive Examinations

When nearing completion of 30 credits of course work, you must take a written and oral Comprehensive Examination. These examinations are based on the coursework taken, and on the reading list for the specific concentration within MAFLL. These examinations are normally scheduled during the last four weeks of regular sessions or the last two weeks of summer sessions.

An Examining Committee is responsible for preparing and administering the comprehensive examination. Not later than two months prior to the date proposed for your comprehensive examination, the Coordinating Committee will appoint an Examining Committee comprised of three members and usually including the Major Professor. The two remaining members will be appointed on the basis of their expertise in the area(s) of your program. The Examining Committee fixes the exact date and content of the Written and Oral Examinations no later than four weeks before the examinations are to be given.

The written examination shall be completed in four hours and taken on a single day.

The exam will consist of:

1. At least two questions;
2. One of which must be a broad question to be treated in two hours.

The exam will be based on:

1. The approved MAFLL concentration reading list;
2. Course work

One or all of the questions will assume that the candidate is familiar with the reading list. In addition to the two-hour essay question, the remaining two hours of the exam may consist of shorter questions related to a specific field or a textual interpretation, depending on the area. At least one question on either of the two examinations may be given in the language(s) of competence, wherever appropriate.

The oral examination should follow the written exam by no less than a week and no more than ten days. It is to last no more than one hour. It may be based on:

1. Clarification and supplementation of the written examination;
2. A portion of the oral examination may be a defense of the thesis.

Comparative Literature students must demonstrate a reading knowledge of a second foreign language (in addition to one required for all MAFLL students) prior to taking their Comprehensive Examinations. Reading knowledge may be demonstrated by coursework in the specific foreign language program or by written examination, to be determined with the Major Professor.

Recommendation for Student Examining Committee ( Word, RTF, PDF 17K )

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