Spanish Language and Literature MA

The Department of Romance Languages and Literatures (RLL) at the University at Buffalo, trains students to develop new knowledge about the languages, literatures and cultures of the Romance languages, as well as the cultures and diasporic communities with which they have remained in sustained contact. Students in RLL are prepared to participate in critical discussions in the discipline and engage meaningfully with the scholarship of colleagues in neighboring disciplines.

Required Core (3 credits)

RLL 501LEC - Intro Romance Lang & Lit Credits: 3

Electives & Culminating Experience (33 credits)

Electives (27-33 credits)

Number of elective credits may vary depending on choice made to complete the culminating experience. Be sure to complete enough elective credit to reach 36 minimum total credit hours.

*Proficiency in language other than primary language or English pertinent to student’s program must be demonstrated prior to undertaking work on the Master’s Project.

Select from all graduate level:

Spanish (SPA) courses (excluding SPA 700 )
Romance Language & Literature (RLL) courses
Maximum 6 credits outside of department

Students in the Spanish Language and Literature MA program have the flexibility to choose from a wide range of elective courses, allowing them to tailor their studies to their specific academic interests. Please consult our graduate-level Spanish course offerings here. Note that course availability may vary by semester, and new courses may be introduced as they are developed.

Students in the Literature track must take at least one Linguistics class.

Students in the Linguistics track must take at least one Literature class, plus the classes outlined in the Graduate Linguistics Handbook

Regarding the specifics of the individual program, each student should consult his/her adviser; but Literature students must take at least one course in each general area of their field:

Spanish American Literature and Culture
Peninsular Literature and Culture
Medieval and/or Early Modern Literature and Culture
Modern and/or Contemporary Literature and Culture

Courses are offered in two formats: Intensive (I) and Extensive (E). While both share the same syllabus, intensive sections involve a heavier workload (e.g., midterm and final papers), whereas extensive sections have a lighter one (e.g., annotated bibliography or response paper). In both formats, students are expected to prepare, participate, and engage fully. Instructors will detail specific requirements in their syllabi.

Courses are labeled in HUB as “-I” (Intensive) or “-E” (Extensive). MA students are required to take all their classes as intensive to graduate.

Culminating Experience: Exam, Project or Thesis (0-6 credits)

SPA 650TUT - Masters Project Guidance Credits: 1 - 6

Total Credit Hours: 36

3.0 Degree GPA required

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

1) Locate, identify, critically assess, evaluate and interpret primary texts and sources

2) Recognize, understand, evaluate, contextualize, develop, and utilize theoretical and critical approaches and other secondary sources

3) Develop knowledge area and specialization in the sub-discipline

4) Perform original research and create new knowledge capable of sustaining peer review

5) Communicate findings and articulate critical positions according to professional academic standards of clarity, logic and relevance

6) Cultivate and maintain sufficient literary and cultural awareness to articulate the value of cultural exposure in personal growth and professional development

7) Develop pedagogical practices and teaching philosophy.

SED Statement

This program is officially registered with the New York State Education Department (SED).