Languages, literatures and cultures - MA - Thesis

This program has three streams - applied linguistics, literature and/or film studies, and transcultural studies. Students in each stream enjoy personal attention and interaction with professors with far-reaching subject-area expertise who embrace a range of theoretical approaches. The applied linguistics stream focuses on language acquisition, language learning and teaching, and sociolinguistics. Students may choose to undertake experimental studies in any of these areas. The focal languages for applied linguistics are French, Chinese, German and Spanish. The stream in literature and film studies offers students an opportunity to delve into the study of literary and cinematic productions in French, German and Spanish. Students will acquire theoretical and critical expertise in their chosen field of study. The stream in transcultural studies, the only one offered in Canada, examines the inner differentiation and complexity of cultures from the geographic areas where French, Arabic, Chinese, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian and Spanish are spoken. This program has an interdisciplinary emphasis, and students acquire a high degree of cultural literacy. All of these streams will provide students with a broad set of advanced research and communication skills, specialized knowledge, and enhanced language proficiency.

Please note: this program is not intended for students interested in performing research primarily on texts written in English or on English as a Second Language. Applicants in these fields are encouraged to explore the programs in Educational Research.

Completing this program

• Core courses: Students will take a required course on Additional Language Pedagogy, and a research methods course on Applied Linguistics or Literary and Cultural Studies.
• Thesis: Students will be required to submit and defend an original thesis.
• Research activities: Students participate in university-wide research activities, including presentations and workshops.

Specializations

• Applied linguistics
• French
• German
• Spanish
• Transcultural studies

Please visit the Languages, Literatures and Cultures departmental webpage for more information on specializations.

An applicant whose primary language is not English may fulfill the English language proficiency requirement in one of the following ways:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT including TOEFL iBT Home Edition) minimum score of 86 (Internet-based, with no section less than 20).
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.5 (with no section less than 6.0).
• Cambridge C1 Advanced or Cambridge C2 Proficiency minimum score of 180.
• Pearson Test of English (PTE) score of 59 or higher
• Canadian Academic English Language test (CAEL) overall score of 70 (no section less than 60).
• Academic Communication Certificate (ACC) minimum of B+ in each course.
• Duolingo English Test obtaining a minimum score of 125 (with no sub-score below 105).

*Please contact your program of interest if you have any questions about ELP requirements.

Graduates will be prepared for a profession in the post-secondary sector, cultural organizations, education, finance, government services, immigration, public relations, publishing, tourism and travel, advertising, or communications and media.

A master’s degree in languages, literatures and cultures will give you the pre-requisite for a PhD.