I. General Description and Program Requirements

The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures offers a program leading to the Master of Arts degree in Romance Languages with a concentration in either French or Spanish.

• Program Prerequisites

1. A minimum of twenty-four upper-division semester hours in French or equivalent (i.e. native or near-native proficiency, university studies in a French-speaking country, etc.).
2. A reasonable proficiency in the language of concentration, to be determined by the Department prior to admission.

• Program Requirements

1. A total of thirty-three (33) semester hours, or thirty (30) semester hours for candidates writing a thesis.
2. Up to twelve (12) hours may be taken in a collateral area with prior approval of the respective graduate coordinator in French or Spanish.
3. Students interested in pursuing teaching licensure must complete additional hours. Detailed information for students pursuing teaching licensure is provided at http://fl.memphis.edu.
   1. ICL/LING 7174 Methods of Foreign Language (3 credit hours) is mandatory for students pursuing teaching licensure.
   2. These students should take courses from the following options: SPED 7000, ICL 7050, ICL 7709, IDT 7061, ICL 7080, RDNG 7545, ICL 7030, EDPR 7112, ICL 7806, ICL 7993. NOTE: EDPR 7112 Adolescent Psychology can be eliminated if the student took Developmental Psychology or Adolescent Psychology as an undergraduate. ICL 7806 Student Teaching and ICL 7993 may be waived if the student is currently teaching in a public high school.
4. At least 23 hours must be taken in 7000 level courses (eight [8] courses in all).
5. Satisfactory completion of a minimum of six (6) courses in the areas of literature, linguistics, grammar, stylistics, and culture taught in the department in the language of concentration.
6. A reading knowledge of a foreign language other than that of the concentration. This may be demonstrated in the following ways:
   1. achieving the forty-fifth (45th) percentile on the Graduate School Foreign Language Test (ETS),
   2. achieving a grade of B ("3.0") or better in a fourth-semester language course (e.g. FREN/GERM/SPAN 2020 or equivalent),
   3. achieving a grade of B ( "3.0") or better in a graduate reading course (FREN/ GERM 5701 or equivalent), or
   4. another option approved by the coordinator of graduate studies.
7. A comprehensive written and oral examination after completion of 33 hours and fulfilment of the reading knowledge requirement. These examinations will be conducted in the language of the concentration. For a full description of the comprehensive examination procedures, please visit the deparment website at www.fl.memphis.edu.
8. If a thesis is presented, both an oral examination in the area of the thesis and the written and oral comprehensive examination are required. The thesis requires 6 hours. The maximum number of thesis hours that will count toward the degree is 6, although a student may have to enroll in more hours in order to maintain continuous enrollment. Students electing to write a thesis should familiarize themselves with the Thesis/Dissertation Preparation Guide before starting to write.

II. Course Offerings

List of Courses

(consult Graduate Catalog for descriptions, and Schedule of Classes for current offerings)

6301 French Phonetics
6302 Advanced French Grammar
6412 Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries
6413 Nineteenth-Century French Literature
6414 Twentieth-Century French Literature
6415 Francophone Literature
7101 French for Business
7305 French Stylistics
7401 History of the Language
7402 Medieval French Literature
7421 The French Renaissance
7425 Classicism Prior to 1660
7426 Classicism After 1660
7470-9 Special Topics in French Literature
7492 Research in French Studies
7531 The Age of the Enlightenment
7691 Bibliography and Methods of Research
7791 The Teaching of French 
7792 Practicum in Teaching 
7793 Reading for Comprehensives 
7796 Thesis

Other relevant courses in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures:

LING 7101 Introduction to Linguistics I
LING 7201 Introduction to Linguistics II
LALI 6010-19 Special Topics in Foreign Literatures

III. Completing Coursework
 

• 6000 level courses are offered on a two-year rotation. 7000 level courses, for the most part, on a three-year rotation. FREN 7470-9 (Special Topics) are not offered on a regular basis. Special courses may be offered according to the needs and requests of the students.
• Students will note that FREN 7691 (Bibliography and Methods of Research) is required of all graduate students, and that FREN 7791 (The Teaching of French) is required of all teaching assistants.
• In choosing which courses to take, it is the responsibility of the student to select a program that will be of assistance in improving and mastering oral and written expression, and that will aid the student in preparing for the comprehensive examinations. Close co-ordination with the student's advisor should be maintained.
• Students may not receive credit for a 6000 level course if they have credit at the 4000 level.
• The grade point average for graduate students is computed on all graduate courses completed within the specified time period for the degree. Graduate students must maintain a 3.00 GPA. A grade below "C" will not apply toward any graduate degree, but will be computed in the GPA. No more than seven hours of "C" will be applied towards meeting degree requirements.
• The degree requirements must be complete within a six year period. Students should consult their advisor in case of time constraints.
   

IV. Teaching Assistantships

• Graduate assistanships are available on a competitive basis. The current stipend is approximately $7,000 per academic year plus tuition waiver.
• Students interested in being considered for a graduate assistantship must make an official request to the graduate coordinator in French at least one semester before the beginning of the assistantship. As part of the application process, students will need to furnish two letters of recommendation, preferably from professors qualified to evaluate the candidate's proficiency in French and his/her ability to undertake graduate work. Candidates will be interviewed by members of the French faculty to determine their command of the language. Candidates may also be interviewed by the Chairman of the Department.
• University-funded graduate assistants must register for no less than 12 semester hours in the fall and spring terms. Request for overloads must be approved by the director of graduate studies in the student's college.
• Graduate assistants must complete eighteen graduate hours before a student can teach two courses per semester. The normal teaching load for French assistants is two courses.
• Students lacking the requisite hours for teaching will assume other responsibilities, such as assisting professors and working in the language laboratory. The responsibilities will be determined by the graduate coordinator.
• Graduate assistantships are normally granted for four semesters. Appointments beyond the fourth semester are contingent upon the number of positions and funds available in the Department. In order to be reappointed, a graduate teaching assistant must:

1. Show good academic performance. A minimum 3.00 GPA must be maintained.
2. Demonstrate a pedagogical competency meeting the requirements of the TA Supervisor.
3. Give evidence of an improved proficiency in French.
    

V. Activities in the French Section and in the University
 

La Table Francophone

Graduate students are encouraged to attend "La Table Francophone," so that they may improve their own language skills and converse with undergraduate students and other individuals who are interested in practicing and improving their French. Graduate students are also encouraged to invite their students to attend.
 

Pi Delta Phi (French Honor Society)

Pi Delta Phi elects new members every spring. Graduate students who are not already members may be nominated as members.
 

Le Ciné Club

Le Ciné Club sponsors French / Francophone films open to students and members of the community.
 

Language Fair

The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures sponsors a Language Fair in the spring with competitive events for area high school students. Graduate students are expected to make a contribution to the Fair in the form of judging and assisting professors.
 

Graduate Student Association

The Graduate Student Association represents all graduate-level students enrolled in the University. The purpose of the organization is to serve the unique needs of the students engaged in graduate studies. Activities sponsored by the GSA include a new student orientation, teaching workshops, special speakers and events, and an annual graduate student research forum. The GSA also awards grants to support graduate students who present original work at professional conferences.

Study Abroad

Lille, Chicoutimi, Québec

International House
 

VI. Comprehensive Examinations

M.A. candidates have the option of preparing for either of two comprehensive examinations:

1. Literature: students who elect this examination are examined in all six periods of French literature (Medieval, Renaissance, 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th Centuries).
2. Linguistics and Literature: students who elect this option will be examined in five of the six areas of literature, applied linguistics, or historical linguistics.
    

• Students are responsible for all material on the reading lists. Before the comprehensive examination is taken, students must also consult with the professors responsible for testing in order to assure that they have covered all relevant material.
• In addition to the works listed for each period, the candidate is expected to have a general knowledge of the whole period, that is, some familiarity with other important writers and works, as well as with the more important literary and intellectual movements and dates, and the major historical and cultural events of the period. Students should also possess a good working knowledge of basic literary terms in French. Students should consult the appropriate professors for suggestions for background reading.
• As previously stated, candidates will not be permitted to take the comprehensive examination before they have established their reading knowledge of a second foreign language. Such a knowledge may be demonstrated by (a) achieving the forty-fifth percentile on the Graduate School Foreign Languages Test (ETS), (b) achieving a grade of "B" or better in a fourth-semester language course other than French (2202 or equivalent), (c) achieving a grade of "S"  in a graduate reading course (GERM 0701 or equivalent), or (d) some other manner approved by the coordinator of graduate studies.
• Candidates will not be permitted to take the comprehensive examination before they have completed all course work and established their reading knowledge of a second foreign language.
• The oral examination may not be scheduled until all written examinations have been completed to the satisfaction of the faculty.
• If a student fails a part of the written examination (ie. for one period), that part of the examination must be rewritten. The timetable for doing so will be arranged by the student and the faculty member responsible for that period, keeping other members of the examination committee informed of this timetable. If the students is unsuccessful on the second attempt at the written examination, the examination committee will meet to determine what actions will be taken (either to have the student repeat the exam, or to recommend that the student abandon the program).