Spanish and Portuguese Languages and Literatures (SPAP)

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Abstract

The graduate program in language and literature awards M.A. and Ph.D. degrees. The program prepares graduate students as researchers and scholars for various academic and intellectual communities. Graduate students participate in dialogue and debate in contemporary critical thought and develop expertise in the intellectual, theoretical and critical formations of the Americas and Spain. The graduate curriculum includes general courses in Spanish and Portuguese languages, literatures and cultures and various specializations such as Mexican and Borderland Studies, Southern Cone Studies,Caribbean Literatures, Cultural Theory and Criticism, Iberian Peninsular and Exile Studies, Transatlantic Studies, Andean and Quechua Studies, Brazilian Cinema, and U.S. Latino/a Cultural Studies, among others. Graduate students may also take courses in Film Studies and Womens Studies as offered by the School of Language, Literatures and Cultures (SLLC). Graduate students have the opportunity to teach undergraduate courses in Spanish and Portuguese languages and literatures, and are trained in the use of the latest technologies, methodologies and pedagogies by specialists in Applied Linguistics. The Department also offers an M.A. degree in Second Language Acquisition and Application (SLAA). A two-year interdepartmental program has been designed for language teachers, researchers, translators, social service employees and students interested in the acquisition and application of Spanish. The main goal of the Spanish/SLAA program is to provide students with sound theoretical and practical foundations on second language acquisition, pedagogical perspectives, technological applications, and language use in professional and social contexts. In addition to courses in Spanish Applied Linguistics, History of the Spanish Language, and Spanish Sociolinguistics, the program offers internship opportunities in institutions located throughout the region, including the Center for Applied Linguistics, the National Foreign Language Center, cultural institutes, and embassies of Spanish-speaking countries.

Admissions Information

In addition to Graduate School requirements, candidates should have a bachelor's degree with a major in Spanish Language and Literature, or the equivalent with fluency in the written and spoken language.

Application Deadlines

	Fall	Spring
Domestic Applicants: U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents
Domestic Applicant Deadlines	Applications must be received by JANUARY 7 to be considered for admission. This deadline applies to both, national and international students. January 7 (January 7 preferred) .
International Applicants: Applicants from Outside the U.S. or U.S. Citizens / Permanent Residents with Non-U.S. Credentials IMPORTANT:   International Applicants and U.S. Applicants with Non-U.S. Credentials must follow the domestic deadlines above if they are earlier than the deadlines listed below.
Applicants seeking admission under F (Student) or J (Exchange Visitor) visas	February 1 If Domestic Deadline is after Feb. 1	June 1 If Domestic Deadline is after Jun. 1
Applicants seeking admission under A, E, G, H, I, and L visas and immigrants	May 1 If Domestic Deadline is after May 1	October 1 If Domestic Deadline is after Jun. 1
U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents with foreign credentials	May 15 If Domestic Deadline is after May 15	October 31 If Domestic Deadline is after Oct.31

Application Requirements

By January 7th, SEND DIRECTLY TO:

University of Maryland, College Park

Enrollment Services Operations (ESO)

Application for Graduate Admission

Rm 0130 Mitchell Building

College Park, MD 20742

THE FOLLOWING MATERIALS:

1. Official Transcripts (minimum 12 credits upper level literature/culture courses)

2. TOEFL or IES results for foreign students only (minimum required 575)

3. Three letters of Recommendation IN ENGLISH (or notarized translation)

4. Sample Research Paper IN SPANISH

5. Statement of Purpose IN ENGLISH

6. Oral Interview could be requested, in person or by phone, if the candidate is in the short-list of applicants The Department strongly encourage all of our applicants to submit as many of their materials as possible electronically. International Education Service/http://www.international.umd.edu/ies documents and transcripts must be submitted in original hard copy.

Degree Requirements

Master of Arts (M.A.)

The Department offers both a non-thesis option and the thesis option for the master's degree. A total of 30 credit hours are required for the non-thesis option with three credits in linguistics; three credits in literary theory and/or criticism; fifteen credits in either Spanish or Spanish-American literature, one of which is to be considered the candidate's "major" literature; and nine credits in the other or "non-major" literature. A one-credit course in methodology is required of all teaching assistants. Students must also submit a written scholarly paper in the final semester of their program which will be read and evaluated by at least two appropriate faculty members.

Students who choose to write a thesis must meet the same criteria stated above, except that the course requirement in the "major" literature is reduced from fifteen to nine credits with six hours of thesis research credit required. All M.A. candidates must take a comprehensive examination.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

The doctoral degree is a research and specialized degree and it does not require a fixed number of credit hours. Before admission to candidacy, the student must demonstrate:

1. a thorough knowledge of the literary production in the chosen area (Spanish or Spanish-American Literature);
2. an in-depth knowledge of the field of specialization;
3. proficiency in at least one field of the others Hispanic literatures;
4. a reading knowledge of a language other than Spanish and English, to be used as a research tool in the field of specialization;
5. one course in linguistics, such as "History of the Spanish Language";
6. a minimum of one course in Literary Theory and/or Criticism;
7. acquaintance with a third literature (e.g. Luso-Brazilian, French, or English); and
8. a background in supporting fields to be used as research tools (e.g. history, philosophy, political science, sociology, or art). Students must pass a comprehensive examination, a translation exam (in a language other than English and Spanish), have their dissertation proposal approved for admission to candidacy, and defend a dissertation.

   Facilities and Special Resources

   In addition to the resources of the University libraries, students have easy access to the Library of Congress and other Washington-based libraries and archives. National Archives-II, located on University grounds, is readily accessible to the Campus community. Dr. Sosnowski is the founder and editor of the literary journal Hispamerica. The graduate students publish Ojo de buey, a cultural magazine and also they have a discussion group on Creative Writing named Humo.

   In association with the Latin American Studies Center, the Department publishes a series of occasional papers under the general rubric "The Languages and Cultures of Latin America." Postdoctoral Fellows and Visiting Professors are an integral part of our academic program. In recent years, the Department has been the recipient of major grants from The Rockefeller Foundation and from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

   Financial Assistance

   Financial assistance in the form of fellowships and assistantships is available for qualified applicants.

   Contact Information

   For additional information please contact:

   Dr. Juan Carlos Quintero-Herencia
   Director of Graduate Studies
   Department of Spanish and Portuguese
   2215-A Jimenez Hall
   University of Maryland
   College Park, MD 20742
   (301) 405-6450
   e-mail: jcquinte@umd.edu

   Courses: SPAN SPAN