The
University of Texas-Pan American offers prospective students the
opportunity to study the languages, literatures, and cultural
expressions of the Spanish-speaking world from the unique
perspective of the U.S.-Mexico border.
Studies
leading to the M.A. degree in Spanish cover foundational issues in
linguistic, literary, and cultural studies. They also offer students
opportunities to apply these issues to real life scenarios in the
Texas-Mexico border region.
The M.A. in
Spanish at The University of Texas-Pan American offers students an
unparalleled educational experience. Studying under some of the
finest scholars in the field, students develop urgent skills needed
for managing the complex changes spawned by globalization in the
early 21st century.
M.A. degree
graduates may continue on to a doctoral degree, advance a career in
the public school system, or pursue career opportunities with
business, government, and NGOs on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico
border.
Literature Option
The M.A. in
Spanish with a concentration in literature consists of 36 hours.
Students will take one obligatory course in research and
bibliography, six courses in literature, two courses in linguistics,
and complete a Master’s Thesis or take two additional courses.
Linguistics Option
The M.A. in
Spanish with a concentration in linguistics consists of 36 hours.
Students will take one obligatory course in research and
bibliography, six courses in linguistics, two courses in literature,
and complete a Master’s Thesis or take two additional courses.
Journals
The
department supports a number of scholarly journals. These activities
give students valuable opportunities to gain professional
experience. These include:
Grafemas.
Editor, Guadalupe Cortina.
Hipertexto: Online Journal of Hispanic Studies.
Editor, Jose Maria Martinez.
Rio Bravo: A Journal of Borderlands.
Editor, Glenn A. Martinez.
The Southwest Journal of Linguistics.
Co-Editors, Hugo A. Mejias and Pamela Anderson-Mejias.
Student Support
A limited
number of student assistantships, teaching assistantships, and
scholarships are available. Please consult
http://www.panam.edu/programs/gradprograms/asinfo.htm
for an application and more information on assistantship
opportunities. Students should apply for assistantship positions to
the department no later than Aug. 1 for the fall semester and Dec. 1
for the spring semester.
Admissions
Prospective students must file an application with the UTPA Graduate School. This application is available at the Graduate School or online at http://www.panam.edu/programs/gradprograms/app_form_pro.htm. In order to be considered for admission, students must possess a bachelor’s in Spanish or a Bachelor of Arts degree in a related field with at least 12 upper-division hours in Spanish.
Activities
Annual
Symposium
The
Annual Symposium on Spanish, now in its 17th year, attracts scholars
from throughout the region to discuss timely issues in literature,
cultural studies, and linguistics. Recent keynote speakers have
included Norma Elia Cantu and Marjorie Agosin.
Faculty
Lecture Series
The
Faculty Lecture Series provides opportunities for discussions with
renowned scholars and artists. Recent participants include Rolando
Hinojosa-Smith and Emmanuel Carballo.
International
Conference on Caribbean Studies
An
interdisciplinary conference that provides a forum for thinking
about the Caribbean and its social and cultural relations with the
rest of Latin America.
