MA Thesis / Comp Exam Requirements

COMPREHENSIVE EXAM

This is an opportunity for M.A. students to demonstrate the knowledge they have acquired in the program. Students must compose two thoughtful and deep essays that reflect their ability to synthesize and apply the material they have learned in their seminars to concrete situations. The exam is a take-home and is submitted electronically to the department coordinator.

Students receive their exams during the second week of the semester and are given ten weeks to complete their exam.  They must pass both essays to pass the exam. They are expected to incorporate an interdisciplinary approach to their answers and demonstrate

  1. Knowledge of frameworks within the field of Chicanx and Latinx Studies;
  2. Comprehension and application of appropriate theories to specific content;
  3. Interdisciplinarity of approaches and methods; and
  4. Provide a clear, coherent, organized, and well supported essays.

Exam

The exam consists of two 12-15 page essays each. Students must quote and cite their sources which should include a range of texts (books, monographs and peer-reviewed articles). The specific questions vary, but in general, they consist of the following:

  1. This first question asks them to look at three scholarly frameworks dealing with the Chicana/o and Latina/o experience in the USA.
  2. The second question asks them to solve a problem dealing with social justice and inequities in a specific area. Students have to provide an expert’s perspective on the problem, describe the role of the researcher and his/her subjects, and provide evidence for their discussion.

 

THESIS

Students opting for a thesis must seek authorization from their advisor, form a thesis committee composed of three members, and have at least a B+ (3.45) average in their 500-level courses.  CLS 5990 is required of all students authorized to submit a thesis. Students who have made one attempt at the comprehensive examinations may change to the thesis option with advisor approval. Students who have taken CLS 5990 units may change to the comprehensive examination option with advisor approval.

If you are interested in writing a thesis, please talk to the MA advisor and/or relevant member(s) of the MA faculty before you begin writing a proposal. Remember, writing a thesis requires department approval which is not guaranteed.