Department of French and Francophone Studies
Graduate Student Handbook
M.A. Program in French
The purpose of the M.A. program in French is to improve students' understanding of French language, literature, and culture beyond the levels of competency expected of undergraduate majors. To realize these goals, further study of the French and francophone language and literature is necessary, complemented by an introduction to civilization and linguistics.
Statement of Goals
The M.A. degree program in French is designed to provide an introduction to advanced study in French language and literature. The core of the program in French and Francophone literature may serve as the foundation for continued study at the Ph.D. level.
The goals of the M.A. program in French are:
- To teach students to read literary texts with critical appreciation and to articulate their understanding of the texts.
- To introduce students to the theoretical issues in literature and in additional fields in French studies (civilization and linguistics).
- To develop students' analytical, critical, and methodological skills.
- To enhance students' oral and written communication skills in French.
Advising
Once admitted to a degree program, a student is assigned a faculty member for advising. The advisor's role is to assist the student in further clarifying interests and in developing a program of study. It is the responsibility of the advisor to help the student develop an academic plan and to serve as a guide in the successful completion of all requirements. It is the student's responsibility to verify Graduate School policies and procedures pertaining to his or her particular degree program.
Students are urged to consult with their advisors at least 2 (two) times per semester and more often as needed.
Requirements for the Master's Degree in French
Courses
Candidates for the master's degree complete a minimum of ten 3-credit graduate-level courses, plus a master's paper, or a minimum of nine 3-credit courses, plus a thesis.
All candidates for the M.A. in French take
- French 571 (Introduction to Criticism)
- French 502 (Introduction to French Linguistics)
- French 580 (Approaches to French Civilization)
- French 581 (Theory and Techniques of Teaching French
These introductory courses should be taken as early as possible in the student's degree program.
In addition to the four required courses designated above, all M.A. candidates take three 3-credit courses in French Literature, plus three 3-credit elective courses. At least one elective course should be in the area of projected specialization at the Ph.D. level.
Reading Proficiency in a Second Foreign Language
M.A. students must complete the foreign language requirement before or sometime during the same semester in which they receive the degree. Reading proficiency in a second foreign language (besides English and French), either classical or modern, is required. Proficiency may be demonstrated by undergraduate courses equivalent to an intermediate or twelfth-credit level course with grades of B or better (e.g., Spanish 1, 2, 3), by passing a reading course or passing a reading exam administered by the department offering the language, or by passing an ETS Reading Exam.
Note: If a student wishes to count a language that is not offered at Penn State, it is the responsibility of the student to find a faculty member at another institution to certify proficiency. Students should consult their advisors or the department head to identify specific institutions or faculty.
Master's Examination
M.A. examinations are usually administered during the last two weeks of January of every year. Candidates must file a request for examination by Sept 15 of the previous year.
The examination for the M.A. in French consists of the following parts:
1. Written Examination
Knowledge of the works on the Department of French MA Reading List is presupposed. The following items may be used during the exam: a) word processor, b) one dictionary (English/French or French/French), c) the M.A. Reading List.
The written examination consists of two parts taken within the same week:
A. Textual Analysis. Candidates writes in French on one of two passages taken from works on the M.A. Reading List (up to 4 hours).
B. Literary Interpretation. Candidates write in French on one of three questions, illustrating their answers with examples from works on the M.A Reading List and from course-related or independent readings in metropolitan and non-metropolitan literature (up to 4 hours).
2. Oral Examination
The one-hour oral examination is given 1-2 weeks following the written exam. A three-member faculty committee is selected by the candidate in consultation with the academic advisor. The oral examination is a follow-up to the written examination and may touch on any topic areas covered by the written exams (M.A. reading list).
3. Evaluation of the Examination
A. Written Exam
The graduate faculty available at the time of the examination evaluate the written exam (each candidate is assigned a letter code for evaluation purposes). Each reader forwards an evaluation report to the Department.
B. Oral Exam
A committee of three graduate faculty members (selected by the student, in consultation with his or her advisor) conducts the oral examination and provides evaluative input to the committee of the whole.
C. Results of the Written and Oral Exam
The evaluation of the results of the written and oral exams takes place at a meeting of the graduate faculty, with three possible results: (1) Pass, with recommendation to continue on to the Ph.D.; (2) Pass, terminal M.A.; (3) Fail.
In the event of a failing evaluation, the graduate faculty may recommend that the student retake the segments of the exam that were deemed to be unsatisfactory. The Examination Committee will specify the conditions (e.g., further course work, improvement in written/analytical skills, minimum time that must elapse, etc.) under which reexamination is to take place. Exams may be retaken only once; if at all possible, the student's exam committee will remain the same. For students planning to continue their studies, the Committee recommends affirmatively or negatively to let the student continue in the Ph.D. program.
The Department Head communicates orally and in writing the results of the examination to the candidate.
Master's Paper or Thesis
Master's Paper
Normally, students opt for a Master's Paper, which is based on research presented as a course project. The student should ask one faculty member to serve as the supervisor of the Master’s Paper and another to serve as a second reader. The Master's Paper should be approximately 20 pages in length.
A draft of the Master’s Paper should be submitted to the supervisor within the second month of the semester that the student plans to graduate. A Report of the Master’s Paper Draft Review form, including the signatures of the supervisor and the second reader, must be submitted to the department (please check with the office for exact dates). The form is available in the department office.
The final Master's Paper, along with the signed Report of Completed Master’s Paper form, must be submitted to the French Department at least one week before the end of classes in the semester that the student plans to graduate (please check with the office for exact dates). The form is available in the department office.
Master's Thesis
For some students, an M.A. Thesis, demonstrating research methods and interpretive skills, may be appropriate. A Thesis must be directed by a French Graduate Faculty member. In consultation with the academic advisor, three of the six credits of thesis research required by the Graduate School for an M.A. Thesis replace one elective course. Please check with the Thesis Office regarding format and due dates.
Master's Theses must be submitted to the French Department at least one week prior to published Graduate School deadlines. Please check the published Graduate School calendar for deadlines.
