| THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA GRADUATE CATALOG | |
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6.15 DEPARTMENT OF MODERN LANGUAGES AND CLASSICS (GN, ROFR, ROML, ROSP) Chairperson: Professor Thomas Fox, Office: 200 B. B. Comer Hall
General requirements for admission to the Graduate School are set forth in the Admission Criteria section of this catalog. All applicants to graduate degree programs in the Department of Modern Languages and Classics must submit a writing sample in support of the application. Applicants to any French or Spanish track must also submit an entrance exam score, either the Graduate Record Exam or the Miller Analogies Test. Applicants to any German concentration are not required to submit an entrance exam score, unless the applicant wants to be considered for additional financial support in the form of an enhanced assistantship or fellowship. Applications for both full-time and part-time status are welcome. All applicants seeking full-time student status are considered for financial support in the form of a Graduate Teaching Assistantship.
For students with deficiencies in undergraduate preparation, admission may be contingent upon completion of designated undergraduate requirements. (In particular, all three tracks of the master of arts program in German, as described below, presuppose completion of an undergraduate survey of German literature or a survey of German culture/civilization that includes a substantial literary component. Students lacking this requirement who are nevertheless admitted to the German master of arts program must make up this course concurrent with their other coursework.)
Qualified students who are holders of an appropriate undergraduate degree may be admitted directly to the doctoral program in Romance languages. However, in such circumstances completion of all requirements for the appropriate master of arts program, including comprehensive testing and subsequent awarding of the master of arts degree, will be a prerequisite for completion of the doctoral degree.
Qualified students can seek dual admission to the School of Law and to any master of arts program offered in the Department of Modern Languages and Classics. If admitted to both, the student will be exempted from at least 6 hours of coursework for the juris doctor degree.
Degree Requirements The Department of Modern Languages and Classics offers degree programs leading to the master of arts in German, the master of arts in Romance languages, and the doctor of philosophy in Romance languages. All three degree programs incorporate a variety of options (see below). General information is in the Degree Requirements section of this catalog.
Master of Arts in German. Three concentrations are available:
German literature. Plan I (24 hours of coursework and a thesis) or Plan II (30 hours of coursework, no thesis). In addition to German literature courses, students must take GN 510 History of the German Language and 3 hours of Middle High German. With the approval of the German graduate advisor, 6 hours of graduate work in a related field may be applied to the degree.
Germanic philology.
Plan I (24 hours of coursework and a thesis) or Plan II (30 hours of
coursework, no thesis). In addition to philology courses, students
must take 6 hours of German literature. With the approval of the
German graduate advisor, 9 hours of graduate work in a related field
may be applied to the degree. EN 622 Old English may count as a
German course for candidates in this concentration. The
concentration and courses in Germanic philology are offered subject
to availability of qualified faculty.
Master of Arts in Romance languages. A single degree program incorporates a variety of options and tracks:
There are three options: the French Option, the Spanish Option, and the Romance Languages Option (which combines languages). All three options have thesis and nonthesis tracks. The French and Spanish options also allow for an applied linguistics track (thesis or nonthesis). Regardless of the option or track, all new graduate teaching assistants must enroll for the Practicum in Applied Linguistics (either FR 512 or SP 502).
All tracks include a six-part comprehensive exam. However, the configuration of the exam is specific to each track, as indicated below.
Non-thesis tracks of the Master of Arts in Romance languages (Plan II). A description of the typical configuration for the various nonthesis tracks of the master of arts in Romance language follows. Included in all nonthesis tracks of the master of arts in Romance languages is a core of five courses in the five areas listed below:
Teaching Practicum/Topics in Linguistics
French Option, standard track without thesis (Plan II). Curriculum requirements: 33 hours of coursework, including at least one course in five of the following six fields:
Medieval and Renaissance
Appropriate courses taken in these fields will simultaneously
fulfill the Romance languages core requirements listed above.
Students must pass a comprehensive examination based on their
coursework in the five fields of study. However, for the written
component of the exam, students may be exempted from examination in
a maximum of two fields in two ways: either by writing a research
paper in the field and presenting it at a professional conference or
by satisfactorily completing two courses in the field, earning a
grade of "A" or "B." Success on the written component precedes the
oral component of the exam, which involves generating an oral
presentation on a topic indicated in advance.
French Option, applied linguistics track without thesis (Plan II). Curriculum requirements: 36 hours of coursework. The applied linguistics track involves three components: language, linguistics, and applied linguistics. The language component consists of 21 hours of course credit in French language, literature, and/or culture. The linguistics component is comprised of a 3-hour descriptive linguistics course (FR 561). The applied linguistics component consists of 12 hours of coursework in second language acquisition pedagogy and research (FR 512 and three of the following: FR 513, FR 515, RL 523, EN 613, or other approved courses). Based on the advice of the graduate advisor, appropriate courses taken in these components will simultaneously fulfill the Romance languages core requirements listed above. Degree requirements include success on a comprehensive examination, which is based on the coursework. From the selection of questions provided, the candidate must generate six written answers (two pertaining to applied linguistics, one pertaining to French linguistics, and three pertaining to electives).
Spanish Option, Hispanic literature track without thesis (Plan II). Curriculum requirements: 30 hours of coursework, including one course in each of the following areas, and two courses in Hispanic linguistics (courses in transatlantic studies can count as either modern peninsular or Latin American):
Golden Age
It is mandatory to earn 27 credits within the Spanish program. Optionally, three credits may be earned outside the Spanish program. Based on the advice of the graduate advisor, appropriate courses taken in these components will simultaneously fulfill the Romance languages core requirements listed above. Degree requirements include success on the written comprehensive examination. No oral component is required. The six-part written examination will be based both on coursework and a reading list in each area. Students are required to take exams in the following areas: either three Peninsular areas (of the student's choosing) and two Latin American areas (of the student's choosing) or vice versa, and one area of linguistics. From the selection of questions provided, the candidate must generate six written answers. It is the student's responsibility to keep syllabi from each course on file for reference.
Spanish Option, applied linguistics track without thesis (Plan II). Curriculum requirements: 36 hours of coursework. The applied linguistics track involves three components: language, linguistics, and applied linguistics. The language component consists of 21 hours of course credit in Spanish language, literature, and culture (a minimum of 6 hours must be in peninsular literature and 6 hours in Latin-American literature). The linguistics component is comprised of a 3-hour descriptive linguistics course (SP 556). The applied linguistics component consists of 12 hours of coursework in second language acquisition pedagogy and research (SP 502 and three of the following: SP 523, SP 581, RL 513, EN 613, or other approved courses). Based on the advice of the graduate advisor, appropriate courses taken in these components will simultaneously fulfill the Romance languages core requirements listed above. Degree requirements include success on a comprehensive examination, which is based on the coursework. From the selection of questions provided, the candidate must generate six written answers (two pertaining to applied linguistics, one pertaining to Spanish linguistics, one pertaining to peninsular literature, one pertaining to Latin American literature, and one pertaining to an elective).
Romance Languages Option, without thesis (Plan II). Curriculum requirements: 30 - 36 hours of coursework. The curriculum requires study of French and Spanish, one as the major and one as the minor. The major includes a minimum of 18 hours. The minor includes a minimum of 12 hours. More than the minimum is recommended for both the major and the minor. Graduate courses in Italian studies are also available on occasion (see the RL prefix in course listings below). Based on the advice of the graduate advisor, appropriate courses taken in these components will simultaneously fulfill the Romance languages core requirements listed above. Degree requirements include success on a comprehensive examination, which is based on the coursework. From the selection of questions provided, the candidate must generate six written answers (four pertaining to the major and two pertaining to the minor; however, if the candidate has 18 or more hours in both French and Spanish, then the candidate will generate three written answers for each).
Thesis tracks of the Master of Arts in Romance languages (Plan I). A description of the typical configuration for the various thesis tracks of the master of arts in Romance language follows. The Romance languages core requirements do not apply to thesis tracks.
French Option, standard track with thesis (Plan I). Curriculum requirements: 27 hours of coursework and a thesis, including at least one course in five of the following six fields:
Medieval and Renaissance Students must pass a comprehensive examination based on their coursework in the five fields of study. However, for the written component of the exam, students may be exempted from examination in a maximum of two fields in three ways: first, by writing a thesis in the field; second, by writing a research paper in the field and presenting it at a professional conference; or third, by satisfactorily completing two courses in the field, earning a grade of "A" or "B." Success on the written component precedes the oral component of the exam, which involves generating an oral presentation on a topic indicated in advance. Six hours of Thesis Research (FR 599) with the thesis director are required beyond the 27 hours of coursework.
French Option, applied linguistics track with thesis (Plan I). Curriculum requirements: 30 hours of coursework and a thesis. In addition to the thesis, the applied linguistics track involves three components: language, linguistics, and applied linguistics. The language component consists of 15 hours of course credit in French language, literature, and/or culture. The linguistics component is comprised of a 3-hour descriptive linguistics course (FR 561). The applied linguistics component consists of 12 hours of coursework in second language acquisition pedagogy and research (FR 512 and three of the following: FR 513, FR 515, RL 523, EN 613, or other approved courses). Degree requirements include success on a comprehensive examination, which is based on the coursework. From the selection of questions provided, the candidate must generate six written answers (two pertaining to applied linguistics, one pertaining to French linguistics, and three pertaining to electives). Six hours of Thesis Research (FR 599) with the thesis director are required beyond the 30 hours of coursework.
Spanish Option, Hispanic literature track with thesis (Plan I). Curriculum requirements: 24 hours of coursework and a thesis, including at least one course in each of the following eight fields (courses in transatlantic studies can count as either modern peninsular or Latin American):
Golden Age
In consultation with the Spanish graduate advisor, each student must
also select a special area of interest in Hispanic literature in
order to write the thesis. Degree requirements include success on
the written comprehensive examination. No oral component is
required. The six-part written examination will be based both on
coursework and a reading list in each area. Students are
required to take exams in the following areas: either three
Peninsular areas (of the student's choosing) and two Latin American
areas (of the student's choosing) or vice versa, and one area of
linguistics. From the selection of questions provided, the candidate
must generate six written answers.
Six hours of Thesis Research (SP 599) with the thesis director are
required beyond the 24 hours of coursework.
It is the student's responsibility to keep syllabi from each course
on file for reference.
Spanish Option, applied linguistics track with thesis (Plan I). Curriculum requirements: 30 hours of coursework and a thesis. In addition to the thesis, the applied linguistics track involves three components: language, linguistics, and applied linguistics. The language component consists of 15 hours of course credit in Spanish language, literature, and culture (a minimum of 6 hours must be in peninsular literature and 6 hours in Latin-American literature). The linguistics component is comprised of a 3-hour descriptive linguistics course (SP 556). The applied linguistics component consists of 12 hours of coursework in second language acquisition pedagogy and research (SP 502 and three of the following: SP 523, SP 581, RL 513, EN 613, or other approved courses). Degree requirements include success on a comprehensive examination, which is based on the coursework. From the selection of questions provided, the candidate must generate six written answers (two pertaining to applied linguistics, one pertaining to Spanish linguistics, one pertaining to peninsular literature, one pertaining to Latin American literature, and one pertaining to an elective). Six hours of Thesis Research (SP 599) with the thesis director are required beyond the 30 hours of coursework.
Romance Languages Option, with thesis (Plan I). Curriculum requirements: 24 - 30 hours of coursework and a thesis. The curriculum requires study of French and Spanish, one as the major and one as the minor. The major includes a minimum of 18 hours. The minor includes a minimum of 12 hours. More than the minimum is recommended for both the major and the minor. Graduate courses in Italian studies are also available on occasion (see the RL prefix in course listings below). Degree requirements include success on written and oral comprehensive examinations. All examinations are based on the coursework. From the selection of questions provided, the candidate must generate six written answers (four pertaining to the major and two pertaining to the minor; however, if the candidate has 18 or more hours in both French and Spanish, then the candidate will generate three written answers for each). Six hours of Thesis Research (FR 599, SP 599 or RL 599) with the thesis director(s) are required beyond the coursework.
Doctor of Philosophy in Romance Languages
Degree Requirements The student's Plan of Study for the PhD degree must be approved by the department and the Graduate School by the time the student completes 30 graduate semester hours of UA and/or transfer course work. In addition to the program-specific requirements presented below, all doctoral candidates, regardless of the option selected, must adhere to the following.
The minimal formal coursework required is 60 semester hours, which may include up to 30 hours of transferred credits earned at another institution. Appropriate MA hours earned at The University of Alabama can also count toward the total required accumulation of hours. Students who have completed a master's thesis need accumulate only 54 hours of coursework. Once all coursework is completed, an additional 24 hours of Dissertation Research (FR 699, SP 699 or RL 699) with the dissertation director(s) are required. All doctoral candidates must possess reading knowledge of one language in addition to English, their native language, and their language of specialization.
It is strongly recommended that, before the termination of studies, all doctoral candidates reside for a period in a country or location requiring constant interaction in the language of specialization.
All doctoral candidates must be careful to fulfill the residency requirement and to abide by the specified time limits (7 years from admission semester; 8 years from admission semester if entering directly from BA) specified in the Degree Requirements of this catalog. Once enrolled, all doctoral candidates must submit a Plan of Study to the Office of the Graduate School and abide by all other policies of the Graduate School.
All options of the Doctor of Philosophy in Romance Languages share the same qualifying exam format. This format begins with the creation of a “pre-prospectus” by the candidate, in consultation with the likely eventual dissertation director, followed by take-home questions from a committee of examiners with whom the candidate has had coursework or who have appropriate expertise (the questions may pertain to the coursework or the pre-prospectus, according to the discretion of each examiner), leading directly to the creation of the prospectus as the final product, assuming a successful outcome. The prospectus is then submitted to the prospective dissertation committee for approval.
Regardless of the option, all new graduate teaching assistants must enroll for the appropriate teaching practicum, either FR 512 or SP 502.
Candidates interested in a linguistics-oriented curriculum should direct their attention to the Romance Languages Option.
Three options are available in the doctoral program:
French Option. The curriculum is centered on French, though up to 12 hours of coursework in a related discipline is admissible. All new graduate teaching assistants must take FR 512. All candidates must take at least one course from four of the following fields (above and beyond the hours earned for the MA):
Medieval and Renaissance
A course in literary theory is also required. Additional coursework will normally be geared toward the anticipated area of specialization for the dissertation. At the conclusion of the coursework, a qualifying examination and the approval of a prospectus outlining the proposed research topic must take place before work on the dissertation can begin.
Spanish Option. The curriculum is centered on Spanish, though up to 12 hours of coursework in a related discipline is admissible. All new graduate teaching assistants must take SP 502. All candidates must take at least one course from four of the following fields (above and beyond the hours earned for the MA): 16th-17th century peninsular (Golden Age) 19th-century peninsular 20th- and 21st-century peninsular Colonial Latin American 19th-century Latin American 20th- and 21st-century Latin American US Latino studies Transatlantic studies
A course in literary theory is also required. Additional coursework will normally be geared toward the anticipated area of specialization for the dissertation. At the conclusion of the coursework, a qualifying examination and the approval of a prospectus outlining the proposed research topic must take place before work on the dissertation can begin.
Romance Languages Option. The Romance languages option allows for interdisciplinary work tailored according to the needs of the candidate, in consultation with the appropriate advisors. The goal is to meet the interests and career requirements of the candidate by utilizing the full resources of the department and of cognate graduate programs offered by the University. Regardless of the curriculum, the Romance languages option must conform to the following structure: All Romance languages option students must major in either French or Spanish. All Romance languages option students must have, in addition to the major in French or Spanish, either
For Spanish (courses in transatlantic studies can count as either
modern peninsular or Latin American) 20th- and 21st-century Latin America, or US Latino studies
For French
A course in literary theory is also required. Additional coursework will normally be geared toward the anticipated area of specialization for the dissertation.
The 18-hour minor can be in any field for which a feasible curriculum can be assembled (French, Spanish, German, Latin-American studies, Italian studies, Renaissance studies, English, TESOL, linguistics, etc.). A feasible curriculum is defined as any curriculum for which the appropriate coursework at The University of Alabama is readily available and accessible and for which the candidate has the commensurate background. Up to 12 of the 18 hours in the minor may be transferred from previous MA coursework conducted on another campus. The full 18 hours can be transferred from a previous MA earned at The University of Alabama.
All Romance language option students choosing the double major have maximal flexibility in course selection. There is no slate of required courses for either of the two majors. The candidate must simply amass 30 hours (including transferred MA hours) in each of the two languages. However, the requirement of taking either the French or the Spanish teaching practicum for all new GTAs remains in force (FR 512 or SP 502), and a course in either literary theory or linguistic research methods, as appropriate to the student’s curricular orientation and the direction of the anticipated dissertation, also remains in force. A maximum of 18 hours in either language (French or Spanish) can be transferred from a prior MA to satisfy requirements towards either major in the double-major track.
For students seeking a linguistics-oriented curriculum, a 30-hour, interprogrammatic concentration in linguistics, in addition to the major in French or Spanish, is an alternative option. For those students opting for the 30-hour concentration in linguistics (including transferred MA credits), the coursework for the major in French or Spanish, which must also comprise a minimum of 30 hours (including transferred MA credits), is not constrained and may include any combination of courses. The coursework for the concentration in linguistics will be determined in consultation with the appropriate graduate advisor. However, a course in linguistic research methods is required. In most cases, the greater part of the linguistics curriculum will be in the area of applied linguistics because graduate coursework in that area is available on a consistent basis in the Department of Modern Languages and Classics as well as in the Department of English and in the College of Education. Some graduate courses in descriptive and theoretical linguistics are also available in the modern languages department and in the departments of English and anthropology. On occasion, appropriate linguistics coursework is also available in the Department of Communicative Disorders, the Department of Communication Studies, and elsewhere.
Some courses can be used to simultaneously satisfy requirements for both the major and the 18-hour minor. For example, a student majoring in French and minoring in Renaissance studies can use a French course on the Renaissance to satisfy requirements for both the major and the minor. Some courses can be counted as either part of the major or part of the linguistics concentration, depending upon the student's programmatic needs. For example, a student majoring in Spanish and having a 30-hour linguistics concentration can count a course on Spanish linguistics as either part of the major or part of the linguistics concentration in order to free up additional hours in the category that best serves the student's programmatic needs. In all cases, a minimum of 60 hours of graduate credit must be accumulated (54 hours for students with an MA thesis).
Course Descriptions
FR 580 Special Topics.
Three hours.
German (GN)
GN 516 Topics in Second Language Acquisition.
Three hours.
GN 518
Historical
Linguistics.
Three hours.
RL 518 Historical Linguistics.
Three hours.
RL 523 Quantitative Methods in Linguistics Research.
Three hours.
RL 570 Graduate Seminar.
Three hours.
RL 580 Special Topics.
Three hours.
RL 598 Nonthesis Research. Variable
credit.
RL 680 Special
Topics. Variable
credit. RL 699 Dissertation Research. Variable credit.
SP 580 Seminar in Spanish Linguistics.
Three hours. |
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