Portuguese Masters - Area Distribution and Course Requirements

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Qualifying Exam | Reading List: Brazilian Lit (2004) | Portuguese Lit (2004) | Reading List for 2008

Area Distribution and Course Requirements

The M.A. course work in Portuguese consists of a minimum of 25 credits. Related course work in another department of the University of Wisconsin-Madison can be counted toward the minimum 25-credit requirement if it has been approved by the Chair in consultation with the Departmental Committee. Up to six graduate credits taken at another university may be transferred by special request after one semester in residence here. The Master's Degree program in Portuguese in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese is based on a series of core courses designed to give the student a broad knowledge of Portuguese, Brazilian and Lusophone African literary currents. Specific course requirements are as follows:

(1) A one-credit proseminar (Port 707) must be taken by beginning graduate students during the fall semester of their first year. The proseminar emphasizes research methods, bibliography, special problems in dealing with the literature of the various historical periods, the theory and practice of literary criticism, etc.

(2) Twelve credits, in the form of 4 three-credit core courses. The following core courses, designed especially for beginning graduate students, are offered on the following cycle:

[Port 411: Portuguese Literature from 1140 to 1825; Port 412: Brazilian Literature from 1500 to 1890; Port 467: Portuguese Literature since 1825; Port 468: Brazilian Literature since 1890; Port 451 Lusophone African Literature; Port 361: Portuguese Civilization; Port 362: Brazilian Civilization; Port 330: History of the Portuguese Language]

(3) Twelve credits of electives are required. Six of these elective credits must be taken as seminars. Port 899 (Directed Study) may only satisfy elective credits.  Students are strongly advised not to take a seminar in an area in which they have no previous preparation. Exceptions by consent of instructor.

(4) All graduate students who are candidates for an M.A. degree in this department must take a minimum of two graduate-level courses in Spanish and/or Portuguese for credit each semester, exclusive of Independent Reading courses and audited courses. A student who is not in compliance with this requirement is not making good progress toward the degree, and will therefore be deemed not in good academic standing.  Advisers should be aware that only the Departmental Committee, on the favorable recommendation of the Graduate Studies Committee, may grant exemptions.