Program Options

The Cultural Studies M.A. offers flexibility and allows students to shape graduate work according to their interests, objectives, and time frame. Full time students are expected to complete all degree requirements within one year of admission if they take up the Major Research Paper (MRP) option, or within two years of admission if they take up the Thesis option (although, under special circumstances, a third year may be allowed). Full-time students normally complete the course requirements and gain approval of a thesis proposal in the first year, then finish and defend the MRP in the summer, or the thesis in the second year. Part-time students are expected to complete the degree within four years, and the timing of the completion of specific requirements is by individual arrangement.  Projects that embrace research-creation are welcome in both the MRP and the thesis streams.

Major Research Paper (1-Year Option)

Students must complete TCPS 5000 as well as four half-courses and a Major Research Paper. The MRP will be modeled on a scholarly journal article and assessed by an external examiner. The MRP will be approximately 40-50 pages excluding notes and bibliography.

Thesis (2-Year Option)

Students must complete TCPS 5000 as well as three half courses and a Research Thesis. The thesis will be modeled on a short scholarly monograph with multiple chapters. It will be assessed by an external examiner and the candidate will defend the thesis before a committee of at least 3 faculty members including the external. The thesis will be approximately 120 pages excluding notes and bibliography.

Supervision

Each stream is supervised, from the proposal stage to completion, by a Supervisory Committee, which consists of a Supervisor (or two Co-supervisors) plus one or two additional faculty. The Committee is established during the first term of study, following consultation between the student, the Program Director and appropriate faculty. At the time of final reading and/or oral defense, the Supervisory Committee is supplemented by an External Examiner.