San Jose State University : Department of Foreign Languages

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Spanish M.A.

The Program

The Master of Arts Degree in Romance Languages, concentration in Spanish, offers students the opportunity to pursue studies in Hispanic literature, linguistics, and culture. The program prepares students for doctoral studies and for careers in the teaching of Spanish, bilingual education, international business, social and govermental services, and other related areas.

Basic Requirements

Students select at least one graduate course in literature, one in linguistics, and one in culture. Candidates must complete 30 semester units; of these, 15 must be at the 200 level, the other 15 may be approved upper division courses. With the graduate advisors approval, a maximum of 9 units related to the student’s field of concentration may be taken from other disciplines. Some seminars may be repeated when content changes.

Students have the option to complete the requirements for the M.A. by writing a thesis (Plan A) or taking a final comprehensive exam (Plan B).
Plan A - 8 courses (24 units) and a thesis (6 units)  written and defended in Spanish.
Plan B - 10 courses and a comprehensive examination in Spanish.

Undergraduate Courses

Maximum 15 units
Span 120 A, B Spanish Literature (3 units each)
Span 132 Business Spanish
Span 140 A, B Spanish American Literature (3 units each)
Span 160 A Hispanic Culture (3 units)
Span 160 B Hispanic Linguistics (3 units)
Span 160 C Hispanic Literature (3 units)
Span 170 Spanish Translation (3 units)

Scholarships

Graduate students who qualify may apply after their admission for a Meta Marion Goldsmith scholarship and/or a Graduate Fellowship. Both scholarships are renewable. They may also apply for the Paula and Pereira-Suárez Scholarships, which are not renewable.

Teaching Opportunities

Qualified Students may receive training in teaching Spanish at the college level through the Department’s Teaching Associate Program.

Courses and Seminars

Courses and seminars are taught in Spanish. 160 and 200 level courses are scheduled in the evening.

Graduate Seminars and Special Studies

Minimum 15 units

Spanish M.A. Learning Objectives and Outcomes

  1. Ability to understand the historical development of the Spanish language in its external (history, culture) and internal development (morphology, syntax and semantics).
  2. Knowledge of and familiarity with the linguistic variation of Spanish and its main dialects, including phonology, geographical variation, social dialects and registers.
  3. Ability to understand the complex relationships among culture, society, history, politics, religion, and economics in the creation of texts.
  4. Knowledge of and familiarity with literature of the Spanish-speaking world (Spain, Spanish America and the Hispanic U.S.) and relevant literary criticism.
  5. Ability to write and present orally in a scholarly fashion.

For more information, please contact Spanish Graduate Advisor:

Sempere, Juan Antonio
Spanish Professor, Spanish Graduate Advisor
Clark Hall 431
408-924-4592
jsempere@email.sjsu.edu

 

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