The purpose of the MA exam is to test your knowledge of German literature and literary history from 1750 to the present. The exam is based not only on your course work, but also on the literary works which comprise the MA reading list. The information below should help you prepare for this exam.
Exam dates
The exam will be given toward the end of each fall and spring semester, i.e., in late November/early December and in late April/early May.
Application procedure
A student wishing to take the exam must indicate this intention in writing to the Chair of the German Faculty by no later than October 1 or March 1. At this time, four copies of the MA candidate's reading list must also be submitted.
Length
The exam will last five hours and will have two distinct parts: a four-hour written exam and a one-hour oral exam. The oral exam will be given approximately one week after the written exam.
Language
Native speakers of English and German are expected to take the entire written exam in their native language. Approximately half of the oral exam will be conducted in English, the other half in German. All MA candidates must be prepared to answer questions in both languages.
Format
The written part of the exam will consist of four sections, as follows:
- Brief identification of terms (30 minutes). Students choose 8 items from a list of 10, for example: "Alliteration," "bürgerliches Trauerspiel."
- Essay questions (90 minutes). Students choose 2 questions from a list of 4, for example: "Discuss the portrayal of women in the bürgerliches Trauerspiel from Lessing to Hebbel."
- Text analysis (45-60 minutes) .Students will be given the complete text of a poem, or a passage from a narrative, play, or essay, and asked to analyze it in depth.
- Longer essay question on a literary epoch (45-60 minutes) A sample question would be: "Discuss the importance of the movement known as Young Germany (Junges Deutschland) within the larger context of nineteenth century German literature. Be sure to include in your discussion some of the major works, writers, and features of that movement."
The oral exam, which will last about one hour, will be conducted by at least three members of the graduate faculty in German and will test your in-depth knowledge of works on the reading list. All MA candidates will be expected to answer specific questions on individual texts and their role within a larger literary-historical context.
MA-FLP students have a reduced reading list. The written exams for students in this program lasts 2 hours and will consist of three sections, as follows:
- Brief identification of terms. Students choose 6 items from a list of 8
- Text analysis
- Longer essay question on a literary epoch
(For a description of the FL Pedagogy exam, see
section 4 below.)
Grading of Exam, Notification, and Retake Options
The student will receive a grade of Pass or Fail for the entire examination. Shortly after the conclusion of the oral exam, candidates will be informed orally whether or not they have passed the exam. Within one week, candidates will be notified formally of the result. In order to recognize students who perform particularly well on both the written and oral portions of the exam, the special mention of Honors may be awarded. Students who receive a failing grade for one or more parts of the written or oral exam may have the opportunity to retake the exam or a part thereof. Scheduling is at the discretion of the German Faculty but in all cases will adhere to UD Graduate Study regulations and time frames for the completion of the degree.