MA Program
The one-year MA program consist of coursework, which includes a year-length course that culminates in the submission of a “forum paper”. Before the fall semester begins, students are assigned an advisor by the Graduate Chair/Coordinator. MA students are also expected to contribute to and participate in department events as members of a community of scholars. This includes research groups, thesis proposals, and colloquia by guest speakers.
Coursework
The one-year MA program consists of 3.5 FCE (full course equivalents). Required courses include:
Two of the following:
- LIN1121H - Phonological Theory (0.5 FCE)
- LIN1131H - Introduction to Syntactic Theory (0.5 FCE)
- JAL1145H - Field Methods (0.5 FCE)
1.5 FCE - 3 elective courses
LIN2100Y - Linguistic Forum (1.0 FCE)
For all but Linguistic Forum, a student who has already taken any of these courses at the undergraduate level must select other graduate courses to bring the total to 3.5 full course equivalents. Other courses are chosen by the student in consultation with the Graduate Chair/Coordinator and their advisor.
A typical course schedule for the one-year MA program may look like this: Three courses in the fall (1.5 FCE), two courses in the winter (1.0 FCE), and Linguistics Forum from September to August (1.0 FCE).
The forum class meets regularly during the fall and winter terms, with one or two informal meetings during the summer. Regular meetings with the supervisor normally continue in the summer until the paper is completed. The language requirement exam, if required, is usually written in April or May.
| Fall | Winter | Summer |
|---|---|---|
|
One or two of: LIN1121H, LIN1131H, JAL1145H |
One or two of: LIN1121H, LIN1131H, JAL1145H | LIN2100Y Linguistic Forum |
| 0.5 FCE Elective Course | 0.5 FCE Elective Course | |
| 0.5 FCE Elective Course (F or S) | ||
| LIN2100Y Linguistic Forum |
LIN2100Y Linguistic Forum |
|
Linguistic Forum (LIN2100Y)
In the Linguistic Forum, each MA student prepares an original research paper. The Forum paper must display scholarly merit, originality, and knowledge of the topic. Each student works closely with their advisor in preparing this paper. The course meets weekly from September to April, and each student is expected to make a series of presentations on their topic over the course of the year, and to provide constructive feedback to the other MA students in the Forum. The Forum paper is to be completed by August of the final year of the program and is evaluated by both the advisor and a second reader chosen by the student and the advisor. The Forum paper is usually between 40 and 120 pages long.
The following is a typical timetable for completion of the MA Forum paper. This is not a required timeline, but a guideline; students will establish specific deadlines for drafts and other stages of their research with their supervisors.
| Timeline | Progress |
|---|---|
| September: | Identify a specific topic for the paper, based on discussions with the advisor. |
| Late September-Early October: |
Cycle 1. Short presentations, generally including an outline, annotated bibliography, proposed plan of research, etc. Forum advisors usually do not attend. |
| October: | Cycle 2. 20-minute time slots including questions and discussion. Presentation may include background on the chosen topic, literature review, experimental design, etc. Forum advisors attend this and subsequent presentations. |
| November: | Cycle 3. 20-minute time slots. Progress report. |
| January: | Cycle 4. 25-minute time slots. Progress report. Preliminary results and analysis. |
| February - March: |
Cycle 5. 25-minute time slots. Progress report. Analysis well underway. Some sections being written; structure of the final paper becoming clear. |
| April - May: |
Once other courses are complete, the major focus will be on writing the paper. |
| June | A mid-summer check-up meeting |
| June 15: | First draft to advisor. |
| June 30: | First draft returned with comments. Revisions begin. |
| Early July: | Summer meeting. An informal meeting of the Forum group with the Graduate Chair/Coordinator, at which time students report on the progress. |
| July 15: | Second draft to advisor. |
| July 30: | Second draft returned with comments. Further revisions if needed. Second reader chosen. |
| August 15: | Final draft to advisor and second reader. |
| August 30: | Advisor and second reader assign a grade for the paper. A PDF copy of the final version is sent to the graduate office to be added to the department library. |