The MA examination is scheduled for the middle of the spring semester. It includes a written and an oral part and is conducted by an examining committee composed of three faculty members of the department. 

Students are responsible for reading all the works on the required M.A. reading list below in preparation for the exams.

M.A. Reading List

Students will be asked to discuss these works in depth and to situate them in relation to their respective literary, social, and historical contexts. The examination also focuses on the student’s ability to draw conclusions using the tools of literary history and criticism. The entire examination is written and conducted in French. 

M.A. candidates will also choose a “special topic” which must be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies together with a faculty member who has agreed to serve as advisor for the “special topic” area. The “special topic” list will include eight to ten texts minimum.

The written portion of the examination includes the following:

The oral examination takes place after the written portions, usually after an interval of seven days. Students answer questions on areas not chosen during the written exam and on the M.A. reading list. Students also answer questions on the “special topic” List.