Teaching Assistants
Teaching assistants must be in full-time residence for at least two semesters. Completion of the M.A. degree normally requires two years.
The Written M.A. Exam
The final examination for the master's degree consists of a written exam; and either a written thesis followed by an oral defense, or the successful defense of a representative portfolio (non-thesis). The major professor and readers are also charged with the evaluation of the written exam, and of the thesis or portfolio.
The purpose of the M.A. exam is to test the student's knowledge of German literature or Germanic linguistics as well as of a self-selected area of expertise. The exam is based on:
(a) a core reading list provided to the student upon acceptance into the program. The reading list is meant to be studied independently and should be prepared in full by the student for the exam. Students prepare the list that reflects their area of concentration in either literature or linguistics.
(b) a supplemental reading list in an area of specialization of the student's choice. For students writing an M.A. thesis, the supplemental reading list should preferably be related to the student's thesis topic. For students pursuing the non-thesis (portfolio) option, the examinee’s supplemental reading list shall be comprised of extended bibliographies from three graduate seminars taken in the program. For both degree tracks, the reading list should be compiled by the student in consultation with the major professor and be distributed to all members of the M.A. Committee upon completion of the third semester of study.
The exam is comprised of questions from the three different professors serving on the student's M.A. Committee. It is three hours in length. Two hours of exam time should be devoted to questions concerning the core reading list (a), and one hour to questions concerning the supplemental reading list (b). The major professor will be responsible for questions related to the supplemental reading list.
Further specifications for the M.A. exam are as follows. The exam:
a) will be given in the department on the first Thursday in February
b) may be written by hand or on a computer
c) may be written in either English or German
The student's M.A. Committee will vote on the entire exam. A two-thirds majority constitutes a pass.
Thesis Track
The thesis will be written under the direction of a faculty member, whom the student should select in the course of the third semester of study in the program. In addition to the major professor (thesis director), the M.A. Committee will consist of two readers, whom the student should appoint in consultation with the thesis director by the end of the third semester of study.
Non-Thesis Track
To complete German M.A. non-thesis track, students submit a comprehensive portfolio in lieu of the thesis. At least fourteen (14) days prior to the scheduled oral defense, the examinee will submit to the committee members a portfolio consisting of three seminar research papers, a critical essay of 6-8 pages reflecting on the research conducted, and materials related to achievements in research and/or teaching.
The student must defend the portfolio in a one-hour oral defense which will serve to evaluate and critique the student’s work. While the Graduate School requires only a pass/no pass decision for the defense, the department will internally evaluate the quality of the student's work in the following three categories: pass with distinction, pass, and no pass. This evaluation shall be announced to the student at the end of the oral examination.
Select additional courses, as needed, in consultation with an advisor to meet the minimum number of required credit hours for this program.
