Graduate
French MA Examination
Candidates for all MA degrees must take written comprehensive examinations in their program. Students in the French program must also take an oral explication de texte.
Normally, MA candidates will be expected to complete all requirements for the degree by the end of the term in which they take their comprehensives.
The University has established a statute of limitations of four years for MA candidates.
Although the department adheres to this regulation, it points out that full-time MA candidates holding teaching assistantships may normally not expect more than two years of financial support.
MA Reading List
The MA Reading List establishes the minimal requirements in each area for preparation of the MA comprehensives and may be obtained in the department office. This list is intended to guide MA candidates in their preparation for the comprehensives.
The French MA examinations will be based on the reading lists (PDF) prepared for each century in two parts: the first section will serve as a guide in preparing the cross-century question, the second as a guide in preparing period/century examinations in literature and civilization.
MA Comprehensive
The goal of the comprehensive examinations is to ensure that students have acquired a thorough overall knowledge of French and francophone language, literature and culture, an understanding of their place in the world, and a strong competency in literary and cultural analysis. The exams should show proof of close detailed readings of literary texts as well as of a capacity to synthesize ideas and engage critical and theoretical texts on the field.
Candidates for the MA in French language and literature will take a written comprehensive exam and an oral exam. There will be two parts to the written exam: one a diachronic exam with a large scope, the other a series of more specific, targeted questions including identifications. Each exam will be four hours in length and will be given on different days. This exam will be given once per year, usually the week after spring break. The written exam will be in French.
The oral component of the exam consists of three sections. First, students will present an explication de texte. For this exam, students will be given the choice of three short texts and will have 48 hours to prepare their presentation. The explication de texte will be done in French and should last approximately 30 minutes. The second part of the oral component will be the occasion for a discussion between faculty and MA candidates about the written comprehensive exams. Finally, faculty and students will discuss the student’s seminar paper. This paper must be distributed to the members of the exam committee at least three weeks in advance of the oral exam. The oral exam will usually take place 1-2 weeks after the written exam.