Languages, Literatures, and Cultures (MA)

Program Educational Goals:

Program Educational Goals

The MA Program in Languages, Literatures, Cultures (MA-LLC) focuses on developing students’ high proficiency levels of French, Spanish or Chinese and professional skills and enabling them to critically apply their knowledge of language, literature, culture, and linguistics to research and professional development in a wide range of career areas. This MA program provides students with the opportunity for professional growth in the areas of language proficiency, in-depth understanding of literature, civilization and culture as well as research and teaching skills. It prepares and qualifies students for doctoral studies in literature, culture, or applied linguistics, or for teaching adult learners at post-secondary institutions and private or public secondary institutions in the US and abroad. This graduate program contributes to the University of Delaware’s mission of fostering students as citizens, scholars, and professionals in a global and diverse society.

The educational program goals include the following:

Goal for Language Proficiency:

Demonstrate a high level of competency in written and oral communication, approximating or exceeding ACTFL language proficiency standards at the level of Advanced-low or higher.

Goals for Pedagogical Development:

Analyze and explain the acquisition of specific aspects of language.
Demonstrate a broad knowledge of French, Spanish or Chinese culture, literature, and history and understand the importance of incorporating the teaching of cultural perspectives, products, and practices into the language curriculum.

Goals for Literature and Culture Appreciation/Analysis:

Critically analyze canonical texts in French, Spanish or Chinese literature and culture and situate them within the context of literary and cultural movements.
Apply relevant theoretical frameworks to the analysis of primary texts and cultural artifacts.
Practice a high level of self-reflection through comparisons between American and French, Spanish and Chinese cultural and literary norms.

Admission Requirements:

B.A. or equivalent in the target language/literature, or in another appropriate discipline.

Minimum undergraduate Grade Point Average of 2.9 overall, and 3.25 in the proposed MA major subject.
TOEFL for international students (paper-based: minimum of 550 minimum for admission, 600 for teaching assistantship; computer-based: minimum of 213 for admission, 250 for teaching assistantship; internet-based iBT: minimum of 79 for admission, 100 for teaching assistantship).
ACTFL OPI (Oral Proficiency Interview, administered by Language Testing International) for non-native speakers of the target language (Spanish, French, Italian, or German). A minimum score of Advanced Low is required of all candidates applying for a teaching assistantship.
Three letters of recommendation, preferably from professors who know you well and can comment on your academic performance in the target language (either French, Spanish, Italian, or German), as well as on your current target language proficiency (if you are a non-native speaker of that language). If you have been away from the academic world for several years, a letter from an employer may be substituted for one academic letter.
Applicants must submit a writing sample of at least 1000 words in the target language (this may be a paper written for an undergraduate class). In addition, candidates applying for a teaching assistantship may have a brief personal or telephone interview conducted in English and the target language.

Admission to the MA in Languages, Literatures, and Cultures is competitive. Those who meet stated minimum academic requirements are not guaranteed admission, nor are those who fail to meet one or more requirements necessarily precluded from admission if they offer other appropriate strengths.

Requirements for the Degree

Depending on the option chosen, between 30 and 42 credits are required, including at least 24 in the major language(s) and literature(s). Candidates must pass a written and oral comprehensive examination based on reading lists in the major literature.

Major Fields: French and Spanish

Minor Fields: French, German, Spanish, Russian, Latin, and Italian Literatures, and Applied Linguistics/Pedagogy

Course Work

Single Major (30 credits) At least eight courses (24 credits) in the major language/literature; the other two courses may be in the major language/literature, literary theory, or related areas (including WL pedagogy).

Major/Minor (36 credits) Twelve courses, including a minimum of eight courses (24 credits) in the major language/literature, and at least three courses (9 credits) in the minor. The twelfth course may be in the language/literature of the major or minor, in literary theory, or related areas (World Language Pedagogy, for example).

Double Major (42 credits) Minimum of six courses in the language/literature of each of the two major fields (French or Spanish). The remaining two courses may be in one or both of the major languages/ literatures, literary theory, or related areas (including WL pedagogy).