Master of Arts in Spanish (Thesis)

The masters degree is designed for students to develop advanced skills in carrying out independent and sustained research in Spanish. The thesis should demonstrate a critical application of specialist knowledge and make an independent contribution to existing scholarship in the area of research. Candidates may advance to the Doctor of Philosophy degree after successful completion of the masters or may apply to convert to the PhD at an earlier stage.

Students who successfully complete this subject should:

• gain research skills, through frequent and systematic use of the library and other information sources, the definition of areas of inquiry and familiarisation with research methods;
• gain critical thinking and analysis; understand social, political, historical and cultural contexts and international awareness/openness to the world: through the contextualisation of judgements and knowledge, developing a critical self-awareness, being open to new ideas and new aspects of Hispanic culture, and by formulating arguments; gain ability to communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically;
• gain attention to detail.

Major Thesis of 30,000 words

It is expected that a graduate of the University of Melbourne will be able to engage in academic discourse in English. Therefore a research masters thesis will normally be written in English. At the same time the faculty seeks to encourage the acquisition of appropriate levels of linguistic and cultural competencies necessary for research of international distinction. Consequently, if a candidate wishes to write a thesis in another language, an application can be made to the faculty's Research and Research Training Committee at an early stage in the candidature. The committee will consider such an application if the source material and readership are primarily in that language or the thesis is concerned with the study of language. Where permission is granted, a summary of the thesis (approximately 2,500 words) in English should be bound in the thesis.

A four year BA (Honours) degree with a research component or equivalent in the appropriate area of study or closely related area. The grade for the honours thesis component must be at least equivalent to an H2A (75%) at the University of Melbourne and the overall honours result must be at least equivalent to an H2B (70%).

Applicants must include with their application a thesis proposal of 2,500 words and a writing sample (this may be an essay from your previous degree, a chapter from your Honours or Masters thesis or a published article). The primary basis for selection is academic merit. However, consideration will also be given to the quality of the thesis proposal, research potential, and the availability of an appropriate supervisor. Academic references may be required to assess the applicant's suitability.

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this course are articulated in the Course Description, Course Objectives and Generic Skills of this entry.
The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Masters graduates may be eligible for the PhD.

Please refer to the University Graduate Attributes: http://www.unimelb.edu.au/about/attributes.html

Students who successfully complete this subject should:

• gain an advanced knowledge of research skills and appropriate techniques such as research design, data collection and analysis and presentation of results;
• demonstrate specialist knowledge in the area of their research;
• present the results of their research in publishable form or work towards incorporating their findings in further research;
• demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to research ethics or code of practice.