Master of Arts

Project Guidelines

English MA Project Guidelines

All students who undertake the MA project must submit a proposal, of approximately 500 words, in which they describe how they will fulfill the project option of the MA. This proposal must be signed by two faculty members who have agreed to serve as supervisor and second reader respectively of the proposed MA project. See MA Project Proposal Form. The supervisor and second reader will comprise the MA supervisory committee. The proposal must be submitted to the graduate chair for approval; the graduate chair in some cases may consult with the graduate program committee (GPC). In evaluating the proposal, the MA supervisory committee, the graduate chair and the GPC will consider the rigor of the proposal and whether the work outlined is equivalent to that of 10 graduate units. Students are expected to submit their signed proposals to the GPC no later than May 1st of their first year in the MA program.

MA Project (ENGL 882)

The precise scope of the project option will be determined by the student in consultation with their MA supervisory committee. We expect that most projects will take one of the following shapes:

1. A single research paper, between 8,000–10,000 words, of publishable quality and written for a publication venue
2. A digital project, to include a critical essay of between 3,000–5,000 words
3. An archival project, to include a critical essay of between 3,000–5,000 words
4. A research creation project, to include a critical essay of between 3,000–5,000 words

It is possible that a student will propose another kind of project; all projects will need the approval of the MA supervisory committee, plus the Graduate Program Committee. It is expected that all projects will have an intended audience beyond the faculty readers, and this anticipated audience should be outlined in the proposal. The proposal should also offer a scholarly / critical rationale for the project, a description of the research to be undertaken, and an explanation any other aspects of the project necessary to determine its feasibility and academic merit.

The following is SSHRC’s definition of “Research-creation”: An approach to research that combines creative and academic research practices, and supports the development of knowledge and innovation through artistic expression, scholarly investigation, and experimentation. The creation process is situated within the research activity and produces critically informed work in a variety of media (art forms). … Fields that may involve research-creation may include, but are not limited to: architecture, design, creative writing, visual arts (e.g., painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, textiles), performing arts (e.g., dance, music, theatre), film, video, performance art, interdisciplinary arts, media and electronic arts, and new artistic practices.

MA Project Defence:

The MA project will be defended before the two faculty members of the supervisory committee and an examiner external to the committee. Research projects are examined per GGR 1.7.2a and are required to be submitted to the Library no later than the end of the subsequent term after their successful examination.