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Department of Modern Languages and Literatures

Professors Emeriti Joan T. Grimbert, Mario A. Rojas, J.M. Heimonet, Stefania Lucamante
Associate Professors Margaret Ann Kassen, Chair; Daniel García-Donoso, Mario A. Ortiz, Chelsea Stieber
Clinical Associate Professor Amanda Sheffer
Clinical Assistant Professors Cybèle Arnaud, Elena Gutierrez, Kenyse Lyons, Charmaine McMahon, Anastasiya Stoyneva
Clinical Instructors Valeria Garino, Elizabeth Guthrie, Jennifer Maxwell

Ph.D. Program in Hispanic Literatures and Cultures

Admission to the Ph.D. program is currently suspended.

The PhD Program in Hispanic Literatures and Cultures prepares students to be well-rounded scholars able to conduct independent research of publishable quality in their fields of specialization. We place great emphasis on assisting our students in the process of establishing an academic dialogue with colleagues in their own and other fields. From the beginning of the program we encourage and support our students to actively present their work at scholarly conferences and professional meetings, as well as to begin a promising publication career. We see it as necessary to provide curricular flexibility and professional mentoring in fields not strictly related to academia- editorial positions (i.e. publishing houses, news agencies), cultural institutions (libraries, foundations), and U.S. government agencies and private companies seeking individuals with specialized knowledge in multicultural and foreign affairs. We encourage our students to take advantage of CUA’s location in the political and diplomatic heart of the U.S.

The normal preparation for the doctoral program is an M.A or M.Phil. in Spanish Language, Literature or Hispanic Studies. Students with different backgrounds are encouraged to contact the Director of Graduate Study before submitting an application to inquire if they qualify for admission.

GRE scores are required for all U.S. applicants. International students whose native language is not English must present either TOEFL or IELTS scores. GRE scores are required of international students who have obtained B.A. or MA degrees in English-speaking countries. Students are selected on the basis of undergraduate and graduate (if applicable) records, GRE, TOEFL or IELTS scores, a Statement of Purpose indicating research interests, 3 confidential letters of recommendation and a 20-25 page academic writing sample in Spanish. The department may schedule interviews to complete the application process.

The Ph.D. is offered in Hispanic Literatures and Cultures. The program leading to the Ph.D. degree includes courses in three general areas: (1) Colonial and Postcolonial Spanish America; (2) Modern and Contemporary Peninsular; and (3) Modern and Contemporary Spanish America. Candidates for the Ph.D. take a minimum of 54 semester hours of credit.

Required Courses:

Students entering the Ph.D. program with an M.A. from another institution may transfer up to 24 credits. These students are required to enroll in the following courses:

ML 521: Principles and Practice of Second Language Teaching

ML 531: Theory and Criticism

3 area courses: 1 in each of the three areas

4 area courses: at least 1 in two different areas

1 free elective course outside of the MLL department

Students transferring less than 24 credits will decide the distribution of any extra credits with the Director of Graduate Studies.

Students entering the Ph.D. program with an M.A. from CUA are required to earn a minimum of 24 credits beyond the credits counted for the M.A.

3 courses: 1 in each of the three areas.

4 elective courses within the department

1 free elective course outside of the MLL department.

Comprehensive Examination:

After completion of the required coursework, students take written and oral comprehensive exams:

Two written exams on general areas outside the area of specialization

One written exam covering the overall student’s area of specialization

One written exam covering an elective area within the student’s area of specialization

One oral exam to discuss the answers and topics of the written exams.

Dissertation Proposal:

After passing the comprehensive examination and within the first semester of being admitted to candidacy, students prepare an annotated bibliography of at least 25 sources on the topic of their chosen area of research. When this bibliography has been approved by the dissertation committee, students prepare their dissertation proposal. The proposal is submitted to the dissertation director and then to the members of the dissertation committee for approval. The Ph.D. candidate then orally presents the proposal before the tenured and tenure-track faculty for final departmental approval and submits it with the request for approval of committee and topic to the Graduate Dean.

Required Research Languages:

M.A. Degree Candidates: Candidates for the M.A. degree in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures may be certified by the departmental chair as having fulfilled this requirement with their proficiency in Spanish. International students must be proficient in English.

Ph.D. Candidates: Candidates for the Ph.D. degree are required to demonstrate a reading knowledge of a second language. The research language will be chosen, with the adviser's approval, to fit the program selected by the candidate. Depending on the student's field of research, additional languages may be advisable.

The accepted method of satisfying this requirement is either:

  1. Passing the Graduate School Foreign Language Test;
  2. Satisfactorily completing the department's noncredit intensive course in the language, Reading for Comprehension (500);
  3. Having a Ph.D. minor in the language and receiving certification of such from the departmental chair; or
  4. Being certified as having proven competency in the language in a graduate course on the 500 level or above.

Directed Reading Courses:

The department also offers independent study courses to accommodate the needs of individual students under special circumstances.

Courses Offered:

Consult Cardinal Station for additional information about courses and to determine course offerings by semester.