Masters Degrees in Linguistics & Classics, Canada

General Information

We offer a unique opportunity to explore the civilizations of the ancient Mediterranean and the Near East. Our remarkably diverse faculty includes world experts who both teach, and conduct path-breaking research on, the archaeology, history, languages, literatures, and religions of ancient Egypt, the Near East, Greece and Rome, including Judaism, Christianity, and early Islam. Our programs, which can be individually tailored to fit specific interests, foster interdisciplinary study, at the same time developing the relevant skill sets to prepare our students for future study and employment.

What makes the program unique?

Every program is unique and students have the option to design a perfect curriculum for them. Our strengths include rigorous training in the primary languages, Ancient Greek, Latin, Hebrew, Middle Egyptian, and Classical Arabic; broad coverage of the mythic systems of ancient civilizations; in-depth study of the dramatic, historical, legal, literary and religious texts produced by those civilizations; advanced training in practical methods of archaeology and epigraphy; and exploration of the traditions and receptions of antiquity by later eras.

Quick Facts

- Degree: Master of Arts
- Specialization: Ancient Culture, Religion and Ethnicity
- Subject: Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities
- Mode of delivery: On campus
- Program components: Coursework + Major Project/Essay required
- Faculty: Faculty of Arts

Ancient Language Requirement

Candidates will be required to demonstrate reasonable competence in one of the classical languages. The minimum standard required is a grade of B-/68% in 6 credits of one of the following: GREK 301/302 (Greek Literature of the Classical Period) or LATN 301 (Latin Literature of the Classical Period) or HEBR 479 (Readings in Biblical Hebrew) or ARBC 420 (supervised study in Classical Arabic) or their equivalents. These 6 credits may form part of the course requirements for the M.A. program.

Read less

The M.A. in Classics is a two-year degree that allows students to gain the necessary proficiency in Greek and Latin to proceed to a Ph.D. It is designed to provide core skills in philology, and to be flexible enough to allow for specialization in Ancient History, Literature, or Philosophy.

Course Requirements

The degree will involve course-work and examination. On the student’s entry to the program, the Classics Graduate Adviser will ensure that a supervisor and two other faculty members (together making up the Supervisory Committee of this student) are appointed. Students will take 30 credits of course work, at least 18 of which will be in Greek and Latin numbered above 500 (excluding GREK 549 and LATN 549). Not more than six credits at the graduate level may be in other subject areas (excluding CNRS 549) Students are expected to write a thesis worth 6 credits (GREK 549 or LATN 549 or CNRS 549) in the second year of their program, after due consultation with the Department. (For details about the thesis, see Regulations for MA Thesis below.) Up to 6 credits may, at the discretion of the Department, be in Greek or Latin at the undergraduate level.

Modern Language Requirement

Candidates must prove reading knowledge of one (for M.A. programs) or two (for Ph.D. programs) modern languages other than English appropriate to the field of study, selected in consultation with the Supervisory Committee. The modern language requirement must be satisfied before the end of the student’s second year in the program. Fulfillment of this requirement does not count towards the credit totals for a student’s degree.

MA Thesis

Students in the Master of Arts program in Classics and ACRE have the option of writing a thesis. For this thesis students will enroll in Greek 549, Latin 549, or CNRS 549. Students who choose to write a thesis undertake to produce a lengthy piece of academic work at an advanced level demonstrating their mastery of core methods and primary materials. This thesis should be the best piece of academic writing that students have done, and consequently requires a commitment of at least 300 hours’ work over the course of the academic year.

Quick Facts

- Degree: Master of Arts
- Specialization: Classics
- Subject: Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities
- Mode of delivery: On campus
- Program components: Coursework + Major Project/Essay required
- Faculty: Faculty of Arts

Read less

M.A. Program in French

The M.A. program provides for two options. The minimum credit requirement for either option is 30.

M.A. without Thesis

1. 27 credits of course work in FREN numbered above 500, up to 6 of which may be drawn from 400-level undergraduate courses in literature or linguistics given in French.
2. French 548 (3), a Graduating Essay written in French. The length of the graduating essay should be approximately 40 pages, including the bibliography. It may be based on a paper submitted for a graduate course, but thoroughly revised and expanded.
3. A one-hour oral examination, normally conducted in the target language, based on the graduating essay and the student's overall graduate program.
4. Regular attendance in the French Research Seminar is mandatory and active participation and debate are expected.

M.A. with Thesis

1. 24 credits of course work in FREN numbered above 500, up to 6 of which may be drawn from 400-level undergraduate courses in literature or linguistics given in French.
2. French 599 (6) a Master’s Thesis written in either French or English. The length of the M.A. thesis should be approximately 80 pages including the bibliography.
3. A one-and-a-half hour oral thesis defence normally conducted in the target language.
4. Regular attendance in the French Research Seminar is mandatory and active participation and debate are expected.

M.A. candidates in French who are interested primarily in Linguistics may write a thesis on an aspect of French Linguistics and will be permitted, after consultation with the Graduate Advisor, to supplement the Linguistics courses offered in the Department itself by taking courses elsewhere at UBC (in the Department of Linguistics or the Faculty of Education, for example), or at other universities under the Western Deans' Agreement.
Only a concentration in linguistics is possible, however, and students specializing in this area will be required to take some courses in French Literature to complete their Master’s program.

Time for Completion of Program

The maximum time permitted for the completion of a Master’s Program is five years. In certain circumstances, it is possible to complete the M.A. in a twelve-month period. The maximum period of financial support for full-time study in the M.A. program is two years. The program is available to students on either a full-time or a part-time basis. There is no formal residence requirement.

Quick Facts

- Degree: Master of Arts
- Specialization: French
- Subject: Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities
- Mode of delivery: On campus
- Program components: Coursework + Options
- Faculty: Faculty of Arts

Read less

Program Overview

The Department of Linguistics offers degree programs leading to both the Master of Arts (M.A.) and to the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). For the Ph.D. in Linguistics students can register in one of two streams:

the Linguistics stream covers the core areas of phonetics, phonology, semantics, and syntax with the possibility of specializing in First Nations languages, African languages, first language acquisition, and experimental linguistics
the Cognitive Systems stream proceeds from the core areas of linguistics to specialized interaction with other disciplines such as art, computer science, music, philosophy, and psychology

Quick Facts

- Degree: Master of Arts
- Specialization: Linguistics
- Subject: Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities
- Mode of delivery: On campus
- Program components: Coursework + Options
- Faculty: Faculty of Arts

M.A. in Linguistics

Applicants whose previous linguistics training was at the undergraduate level normally apply for admission to the M.A. program. Completion of the program usually takes two years, but after the first year, students interested in pursuing doctoral research can apply for a transfer directly into the second year of the Ph.D. program.

Read less

The University of Calgary is one of Canada's leading research universities, serving over 25,000 full-time undergraduates and 6,000 graduate students. Calgary is a modern city of over one million people with a wide range of cultural activities, and is close to Banff and the Rocky Mountains. The university occupies a suburban campus and has excellent residence and recreational facilities.

The Department of Greek & Roman Studies teaches over two thousand students in its courses each year, and has several strong undergraduate programs and a growing graduate program. Most graduate students participate in undergraduate teaching. Resources include a departmental reference library and extensive computer and database support. The Nickle Collection of some 15,000 ancient coins is available for study in the Nickle Arts Museum.

The Department has a strong international outlook, with five nationalities represented amongst its academic staff. There are particular strengths in the areas of Greek and Roman poetry, medieval Latin, cultural and social history, Hellenistic history, late Roman history, and Greek and Roman material culture.

Degree Programs

Master of Arts (MA), thesis-based (full-time)
-Greek and Roman Studies 603 Language Study and Research Techniques (first year).
-Four other seminar half-courses, normally taken in the first year of the program; these may include up to two half courses outside the department if appropriate to the area of specialization.
-Four quarter courses of directed studies in Greek and Latin Texts (GREK or LATI 607), normally taken in the Fall and Winter terms of the first and second year.
-An examination in translation, with dictionary, from French or German or Italian into English (normally to be attempted within the first twelve months of registration).
-A thesis of about 20,000 words, with oral examination.

Master of Arts (MA), course-based (full-time or part-time)
-Greek and Roman Studies 603 Language Study and Research Techniques (first year).
-Eight other seminar half-courses; these may include up to two half courses outside the department if appropriate to the area of specialization.
-Four quarter courses of directed studies in Greek and Latin Texts (GREK or LATI 607), normally taken in the Fall and Winter terms of the first and second year.
-An examination in translation, with dictionary, from French or German or Italian into English (normally to be attempted within the first twelve months of registration).

Read less

The Graduate Program in Linguistics, School of Languages, Linguistics, Literatures, and Cultures at the University of Calgary offers thesis-based MA and PhD programs in linguistics, under the supervision of our prestigious faculty whose research covers the core areas of theoretical linguistics, including syntax, phonology, phonetics and morphology. Our faculty also have a strong research tradition in language processing, historical linguistics, and first and second language acquisition.

Read less