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Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework))

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Overview

The Master of Arts (Coursework) programme is designed to give students the skills sought-after by employers around the globe, with a balance of specific subject knowledge plus broad-based transferable skills – such as oral and written communication, and analytical skills.

The degree is also an entry qualification for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

The MA(Coursework) normally requires either 12 months or three semesters of full-time, or equivalent part-time, study and entails completion of papers and a dissertation. The normal admission requirement is a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in one of at least 24 subjects but admission on the basis of alternative qualifications and experience is possible.

The dissertation is a major piece of supervised research of up to 20,000 words.

The primary aim of the MA(Coursework) is to provide candidates with a grounding in their chosen subject area within a wider disciplinary frame. The degree cultivates the skills needed to identify a significant topic, design and implement a significant piece of research, and present the findings in a form acceptable to an expert readership.

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Subject areas

The degree may be awarded in any of the following subjects:

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Programme requirements

Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Anthropology

Papers

Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework) in Buddhist Studies

Papers
  • RELS 590  Research Dissertation

  • Four of:
    HUMS 501  Writing and Revision for Graduate Research
    HUMS 502  Research Methods in the Humanities
    HUMS 503  Key Debates in the Humanities
    RELS 521  Readings in Buddhist Texts
    RELS 522  Buddhist Visual Culture in Southeast Asia
    RELS 523  Key Debates in Buddhist Studies
    RELS 531  Pali for Postgraduates

With approval from the Head of Department, one 500-level paper from a relevant subject may be substituted for one of HUMS 501-503, RELS 521, 522, 523, 531.

Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Childhood and Youth Studies

Not available in 2020/21

Papers
  • CHIC 590 Research Dissertation

  • Two of:
    HUMS 501 Writing and Revision for Graduate Research
    HUMS 502 Research Methods in the Humanities
    HUMS 503 Key Debates in the Humanities

  • Two of:
    CHIC 401 Understanding Children and Childhood: Theory into Practice
    CHIC 402 Promoting Children's Participation and Protection
    CHIC 407 Child-Centred Practice

Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Chinese

Papers
  • CHIN 590 Research Dissertation

  • Two of:
    HUMS 501 Writing and Revision for Graduate Research
    HUMS 502 Research Methods in the Humanities
    HUMS 503 Key Debates in the Humanities

  • Either:
    CHIN 441 Advanced Topics in Chinese
    CHIN 451 Studies in Chinese
    CHIN 452 Studies in Chinese 2
    • or
    CHIN 441 Advanced Topics in Chinese, and
    two other approved 400-level papers

Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Classics

Papers

Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Communications Studies

Papers

GEND 401 or SCOM 409 may be substituted for one 400-level MFCO paper

Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Education

Papers

Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in English

Papers

Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Film and Media Studies

Papers

GEND 401 Debates in Gender and Sexuality may be substituted for one 400-level MFCO paper

Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in French

Papers
  • FREN 590 Research Dissertation

  • Two of:
    HUMS 501 Writing and Revision for Graduate Research
    HUMS 502 Research Methods in the Humanities
    HUMS 503 Key Debates in the Humanities

  • either :
    FREN 441 Advanced Topics in French
    FREN 451 Studies in French
    FREN 452 Studies in French 2
    • Or:
    FREN 441 Advanced Topics in French, and
    two other approved 400-level papers

Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Gender Studies

Papers

Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Geography

Papers

Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in German

Papers
  • GERM 590 Research Dissertation

  • Two of:
    HUMS 501 Writing and Revision for Graduate Research
    HUMS 502 Research Methods in the Humanities
    HUMS 503 Key Debates in the Humanities

  • either
    GERM 441 Advanced Topics in German
    GERM 451 Studies in German
    GERM 452 Studies in German 2
    • Or
    GERM 441 Advanced Topics in German and
    two other approved 400-level papers

Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in History

Papers
  • HIST 590 Research Dissertation

  • Two of:
    HUMS 501 Writing and Revision for Graduate Research
    HUMS 502 Research Methods in the Humanities
    HUMS 503 Key Debates in the Humanities

  • two 400-level HIST papers
  • one other relevant 400-level paper (which may include MAOR 407) approved by the Head of Programme, History

Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Indigenous Development/He Kura Matanui

Papers

INGS 501 may be substituted for one 400-level paper

Note: 400-level papers selected should be consistent with interdisciplinary choices at 300-level. Approved papers may be drawn from those offered by other Divisions.

Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Japanese

694Papers
  • JAPA 590 Research Dissertation

  • Two of:
    HUMS 501 Writing and Revision for Graduate Research
    HUMS 502 Research Methods in the Humanities
    HUMS 503 Key Debates in the Humanities

  • either
    JAPA 441 Advanced Topics in Japanese
    JAPA 451 Studies in Japanese
    JAPA 452 Studies in Japanese 2
    • or
    JAPA 441 Advanced Topics in Japanese
    and two other approved 400-level papers

Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Linguistics

Papers

Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Māori Studies

Papers

INGS 501 or one 400-level INDV or PACI paper may be substituted for one 400-level MAOR paper.

Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Music

Papers

Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Philosophy

Papers

CLAS 440 may be substituted for one 400-level PHIL paper.

Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Papers

No more than 90 points may be from any one of the component disciplines.

CLAS 440 may be substituted for one 400-level PHIL paper.

Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Religious Studies

Papers
  • RELS 590 Research Dissertation
  • Two of:
    HUMS 501 Writing and Revision for Graduate Research
    HUMS 502 Research Methods in the Humanities
    HUMS 503 Key Debates in the Humanities

  • Further RELS papers at either 400- or 500-level worth 60 points.

Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Sociology

Papers

Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Spanish

Papers
  • SPAN 590 Research Dissertation
  • Two of:
    HUMS 501 Writing and Revision for Graduate Research
    HUMS 502 Research Methods in the Humanities
    HUMS 503 Key Debates in the Humanities

  • either
    SPAN 441 Advanced Topics in Spanish
    SPAN 451 Studies in Spanish
    SPAN 452 Studies in Spanish 2
    • or
    SPAN 441 Advanced Topics in Spanish and two other approved 400-level papers.

Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework)) in Theatre Studies

Papers

Regulations for the Degree of Master of Arts (Coursework) (MA(Coursework))

  1. Admission to the Programme

    1. Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities).
    2. Every applicant must either
      1. be a graduate, or
      2. have alternative qualifications or experience acceptable to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities).
    3. In considering an applicant's qualifications, regard will be had to the detail of the course of study followed to gain the qualification, as well as the applicant's performance in the programme. Applicants must normally have achieved an average grade of at least B+ in the papers at the highest level in the programme.

  2. Structure of the Programme

    1. The degree may be awarded in any of the subjects listed in the MA(Coursework) Schedule. With the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities) the degree may be awarded in a subject not listed in the MA(Coursework) Schedule.
    2. The programme of study shall be as prescribed for the subject concerned in Part 2 of the MA(Coursework) Schedule and shall in each case consist of a research dissertation or studio project (60 points), two 500-level HUMS papers (30 points each) from HUMS 501-503, and further papers worth 60 points at 400- or 500-level for the subject concerned, to a total value of 180 points.
    3. With the permission of the Dean, Director, Head of School, or Head of Programme concerned, a candidate may substitute for one required paper a paper of another subject at the same level.
    4. A candidate shall, before commencing the research dissertation or studio option, secure the approval of the Dean, Director, Head of the School or Head of Programme concerned for the topic, the supervisor(s), and the proposed course of the investigation.
    5. A candidate may not present a research dissertation or studio project which has previously been accepted for another degree.

  3. Duration of the Programme

    A candidate shall normally follow a programme for the equivalent of not less than one year of full-time study and not more than eighteen months of full-time study.

    Exceptions to the normal duration of a programme shall be permitted only with the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities) and no programme of study shall exceed five calendar years from the date of first admission.

  4. Examination of the Research Dissertation, or Studio Project

    1. The Dean, Head of School or Head of Programme concerned (or nominee) shall appoint a Convener of Examiners who shall oversee each dissertation or studio project examination.
    2. The research dissertation or studio project shall be assessed by at least two examiners, who may both be internal to the University.
    3. The candidate’s supervisor shall not be an examiner but may make a report on the work of the candidate to the Dean, Head of School or Head of Programme concerned.
    4. Each examiner shall supply a written report on the research dissertation or studio project and recommend a mark and grade on the basis of the work as submitted, and an overall result selected from the options as specified in clause (e) below.
    5. The examiners may recommend that a research dissertation, or studio project exegesis:
      1. be accepted without amendments;
      2. be accepted subject to amendments being made at the discretion, and to the satisfaction, of the Dean, Head of School or Head of Programme concerned;
      3. does not meet the criteria for the award of the degree, but may be revised and resubmitted for examination;
      4. does not meet the criteria for the award of the degree, and should be rejected without right of resubmission.
    6. Amendments (regulation 5(e)(ii)) and revisions (regulation 5(e)(iii)) shall be completed by a specified date to be determined by the Dean, Head of School or Head of Programme concerned.
    7. A candidate shall be permitted to revise and resubmit a research dissertation or studio project exegesis for examination once only.
    8. If a revised and resubmitted research dissertation or studio project exegesis is finally accepted, the result shall be either ‘Pass’ or ‘Fail’ (i.e. ungraded) and without eligibility for the award of the degree with distinction or credit.
    9. Where examiners cannot agree on a result, the Dean, Head of School or Head of Programme concerned should so report to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities) or nominee who shall arrive at a decision after consulting a referee who should normally be external to the University.
    10. Examination results will be subject to external moderation.

  5. Level of Award of the Degree

    The degree may be awarded with distinction or with credit.

  6. Variations

    The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Humanities) may in exceptional circumstances approve a course of study which does not comply with these regulations.

    Note: The due date for applications for first enrolment in the programme is 10 December. Late applications will be considered.

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