The Department of Modern Languages and Classics offers a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) French, a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) Spanish; a Master of Arts (M.A.) in French with optional concentrations in French Literature or North American French Studies. For details see the Modern Languages and Classics graduate web page or contact the graduate coordinator in the department.

Master of Arts in Teaching French

The M.A.T. in French (30 credits) has been redesigned with the collaboration of the campuses of the University of Maine System specifically to meet the needs of Maine’s schools. The programs offer full-time instruction during the academic year to meet the requirements of pre-service teachers and an intensive institute during the summer for in-service teachers. Candidates take seven to eight courses (21-24 credits) in language, literature, culture and linguistics in the target language, one course in language pedagogy (MLC 466/566) and one course on teaching the exceptional student in English (SED 500). An oral exam and a professional teaching portfolio which illustrate the candidate’s familiarity with Maine’s teaching standards and his/her readiness to teach a second language in the K-12 classroom are the final requirements for both degrees.

Practicing teachers who are already certified to teach French or Spanish may opt to take additional courses in their target language, or they may resume the study of a second foreign language at the advanced (400 or 500) level in lieu of taking courses leading to certification.

Master of Arts in French

This program (30 credits) is intended for individuals with an interest in language, linguistics, literature, and culture and who are considering pursuing a doctoral degree in the field. The candidate will be expected to demonstrate both oral and written proficiency in French in the course of his or her studies. Candidates must complete 24 credits of course work, with a minimum of 12 credits at the 500-level. The program of study may include courses in other departments when these relate to the student’s field of interest. Six hours of thesis credits are also required. Upon completion of the thesis, the Master of Arts candidate will defend the thesis before a committee of the graduate faculty at an oral examination which will also include questions on the student’s course work.

Master of Arts with a concentration in French Literature

This concentration is intended for individuals with an interest in literature. Candidates specializing in French literature are expected to complete the requirements for the M.A. described above by including four courses in literature, three of which must be at the 500-level, in their program of study.

Master of Arts with a concentration in North American French Studies

North American French studies at the University of Maine developed from a natural link between the department and the geographic location of the university. The large number of francophone citizens who make up the population of the state of Maine, the significant communities with French heritage (Québécois and Acadian) that surround it, and the presence of Franco-American and Canadian-American Centers on campus have combined to create a strong interest and an expertise in North American French language and culture. The requirements for this degree are similar to those of the M.A. described above. The primary difference is that literature, language, and culture courses will be oriented to francophone North America.

Financial Aid

The Department of Modern Languages and Classics annually awards two Teaching Assistantships in French. Graduate teaching assistants generally teach one first or second-year French course per semester. Graduate degree candidates may also be nominated for Trustee Tuition Scholarships and Chase Distinguished Research Assistantships offered by the Graduate School. Others may qualify for Canadian-American Center Assistantships, New England, Atlantic Provinces, and Québec Fellowships, and Foreign Language and Area Study awards available through the Canadian-American Center.

The Graduate School
University of Maine
5775 Stodder Hall, Rm 42
Orono, ME 04469-5755 Orono, ME 04469
207-581-3291
graduate@maine.edu

 

Dept. of Modern Languages & Classics
University of Maine
214 Little Hall
Orono, ME  04469-5742
207-581-2095
carlos.villacorta@maine.edu

 

 

Graduate Faculty

Carlos Villacorta Gonzales, Ph.D. (Boston University, 2009), Assistant Professor of Spanish and Department Chair.  Twentieth and 21st Century Latin American Literature and Culture; Contemporary Peruvian Poetry; Post-modernism in Latin American, Urban Studies.

Zachary Ludington, Ph.D. (University of Virginia, 2014), Assistant Professor of Spanish and Graduate Coordinator. Modern and Contemporary Spain, the international Avant-Garde, La Edad de Plata, Translation.

Susan Pinette, Ph.D. (University of California, Irvine, 1999),  Professor and Director, Franco-American Programs. Francophone literature. Eighteenth century French literature.

Frédéric Rondeau, Ph.D. (McGill University, 2010), Asscociate Professor of French and Director of the Canadian-American Center. 20th Century Quebec Literature and Culture; Counter-Culture (transnational perspective); Post-68 Literature, Culture, and Politics (France-Quebec); Francophone Literature of North America; Quebec Poetry and Literary Journals; Literary Avant-gardes; Contemporary French philosophy

Jane S. Smith, Ph.D. (Washington, 1994), Associate Professor Emerita of French. French linguistics. North American French dialects. Morphology. Language policy. Foreign language pedagogy.

Associate Faculty

Andrea Mercado, M.S./M.A. (Florida International University, Miami, FL 2009) Instructor. Specializations in teaching English language learners, Underrepresented populations, Student with Limited/Interrupted Formal Education, Family and Community Partnerships

Maria Sandweiss, M.L.S. (Maine, 2010), Lecturer in Spanish. Hispanics in the U.S. and foreign language pedagogy.

Kathryn E. Slott, Ph.D. (Pennsylvania, 1980), Associate Professor. Nineteenth and 20th century poetry. Nineteenth century novel. Twentieth century theatre. Poetics. Québec literature.

 

External Faculty

Nancy Erickson, Ph.D. (Michigan, 1992), Associate Professor, University of Southern Maine. French Renaissance literature. French women writers.

Jean-Claude Redonnet, Doctorat d’Etat és Lettres (1979). Director of Research & Professor Emeritus, Université de Paris-Sorbonne. International collaboration in higher education and cultural exchange.

Emeriti Faculty

Eugene F. Del Vecchio, Ph.D. (University of Washington, 1979), Professor. Nineteenth and early 20th century Spanish literature. Comparative literature. Literary and genre criticism.

Kathleen N. March, Ph.D. (SUNY at Buffalo, 1979), Emerita Professor. Contemporary Hispanic literature. Literature and society. Peninsular and Latin-American narrative and poetry.

Kristina Passman, Ph.D. (Iowa, 1982), Emerita Associate Professor. Mythology. Latin literature. Women in the Ancient World. Greek.

Raymond J. Pelletier, Ph.D. (Massachusetts-Amherst, 1977), Emeritus Associate Professor and former Director, Canadian-American Center. Graduate Coordinator. Eighteenth century French literature. Foreign language pedagogy. Franco-American literature and culture. Bilingualism and bilingual education.

James Troiano, Ph.D. (SUNY at Buffalo, 1973), Professor Emeritus. Contemporary Latin-American theatre and short story.