THE M.A. READING EXAMINATION
Departmental Master of Arts and Sciences
Language Reading Proficiency Examination
Language Reading Proficiency Examination
Semester: FALL 2009
Office - Sierra Tower 405 Telephone - (818) 677-3467
DATE: TBA
TIME: 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.
PLACE: TBA
THIS EXAM IS RESTRICTED TO GRADUATE STUDENTS ONLY !!
PREPARATION for the EXAMINATION:
- 1. Candidates must be enrolled in course 499a (Independent Study) for 1 unit in the chosen language to be eligible for the exam.
- 2. Candidates must officially enroll in the Department of Modern & Classical Languages & Literatures during the 2nd and 3rd weeks of the semester and also complete a registration form as well as an independent study contract.
- 3. Most departments requiring the language reading exam will distribute a reading list of the approved books in the selected languages. In cases where the selected books are not on the published list, the student must bring a "Text Approval" slip to the MCLL office signed by his/her department graduate advisor.
- 4. Candidates must have an interview with the examiner for the language involved and present the book which they have chosen for translation. At that time, the examiner will assign up to 50 (fifty) pages for translation.
- 5. After consultation with the examiner, candidates must bring their book to the MCLL office, no later than the Friday before the exam, for preparation of the exam material. The book should not contain any handwritten notes. The book may be picked up again 2 days later.
FORMAT of the EXAMINATION:
- 1. The exam will consist of two parts, each 1 hour and 1/2 in length. Paper will be provided.
- 2. The first part will consist of translating a passage of approximately 450 words. This passage will be chosen by the examiner from an assigned 50 pages of the selected book (prepared portion).
- 3. The second part will involve translating approximately 35 typed lines from materials which has not previously been seen (unprepared portion).
- 4. The translations will be completed with the benefit of a dictionary.
CRITERIA for GRADING the EXAMINATION:
- 1. The translation must show a clear understanding of the text and must be expressed in standard, coherent English.
- 2. Critical errors in interpretation of content would demonstrate a candidate's inability to comprehend the material.
- 3. In the event of failure, the candidate may be tested again the next session without prejudice as to previous performance. Those candidates wishing to repeat the test are to consult the language examiner for a NEW assignment.
- 4. Unit and grade credit will not be given to students enrolled in 499a for this exam. Passing the exam will be recorded as "credit" (CR) and failure will be recorded as "non-credit" (NCR).
LANGUAGE EXAMINERS:
- French..........................Dr. Ahmed Bouguarche / Sierra Tower 430 x3586
- German.........................Dr. Susanna Olson / Sierra Tower 403 x3467
- Greek and Latin.............Dr. John Adams / Sierra Tower 435 x3459
- Italian...........................Dr. Anthony Costantini / Sierra Tower 434 x7226
- Japanese......................Dr. Akiko Hirota / Sierra Tower 426 x3460
- Spanish........................Dr. Edith Dimo / Sierra Tower 412 x7227
Departmental Offices :
405 & 408 Sierra Tower
Telephone: (818) 677-3467
Fax: (818) 677-5797