Part I. A written 4-hour exam in Spanish literature and culture based on reading lists and course-work.

• Section A: Four short exams/essays (selected from among six), 2 hours.


• Section B: One long exam/essay (selected from among two), 2 hours.

Part II. A written 4-hour exam in Latin American literature and culture based on reading lists and course-work.

• Section A: Four short exams/essays (selected from among six) 2 hours.


• Section B: One long exam/essay (selected from among two) 2 hours.

Part III. A written 2-hour textual analysis or close reading (selected from a choice of two short texts).

To pass the MA exam, a student must pass all three parts. The normal grades are pass/fail. If all three parts of the MA exam are judged excellent, a student may be awarded a Pass with Distinction. Students who fail one of the three parts may re-take that part of the exam in a re-take exam in October. (Students taking the MA exam for the first time must take it in April, not October.) Students who fail two of the three parts must re-take the entire exam, and they may do this in either October or April. Graduate faculty will determine failure in a group discussion and make a consensus decision based on the overall quality of the whole part under discussion. Similarly, Pass with Distinction will be based on a consensus decision. Graduate faculty will put in writing the rationale for a determination of failure or a determination of Pass with Distinction.