Mar 28, 2024  
School of Graduate Studies Calendar, 2014-2015 
    
School of Graduate Studies Calendar, 2014-2015 [-ARCHIVED CALENDAR-]

Work and Society, M.A.


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The M.A. offers students a truly interdisciplinary program of study in the area of Work and Society combining interdisciplinary courses in Work and Society offered by core faculty and related courses offered by other departments and schools at McMaster. Program of study outside of the core courses will be approved by a Graduate Studies Committee. The interdisciplinary nature of the program will be further enhanced by welcoming students enrolled in graduate programs offered by other departments into the core Work and Society courses. The M.A. Program in Work and Society offers a full-time program that is usually completed in one year (part-time is available - see below - as is an option to continue for up to three additional terms for the completion of a thesis) leading to the degree Master of Arts in Work & Society.

Requirements


Students will have two options for completing their M.A.

Course Work and Research Paper Option


Students will be required to complete six (6) half courses, including:

  1. At least three half courses from the menu of Work and Society core courses.
  2. Three additional courses, at least two of which must be from among those offered by other departments. Students could end up taking these three additional courses all from one department, an option likely to be attractive to students anticipating further graduate work, or they could select courses from more than one department. Programs of study will be subject to the approval of the Graduate Studies Committee.
  3. A research paper (10,000-12,500 words, including endnotes and bibliography) supervised by a core or associate faculty member. The research paper will be read by the supervisor and another faculty member. (If the supervisor is an associate member, then the second reader must be a core faculty member selected by the supervisor in consultation with the student).

Course Work and Thesis Option


Students will be required to complete five (5) half courses, including:

  1. At least three half courses from the menu of Work and Society core courses. The Methods course is required for students choosing the thesis option unless the student is taking a methods course offered in another department.
  2. Two additional courses, at least one of which must be from among those offered by other departments. Students could take both courses from one department, an option likely to be attractive to students anticipating further graduate work, or they could select courses from more than one department. Programs of study will be subject to the approval of the Graduate Studies Committee.
  3. A thesis (15,000-20,000 words including endnotes and bibliography) supervised by a core faculty member. The thesis will be orally examined by a committee including the supervisor and two other faculty selected by the thesis supervisor in consultation with the student.
  4. For students choosing the thesis option, an additional three terms are available to complete their degree. This will be negotiated with their supervisor during January of their first year when their proposal is being developed.

Introduction to Methods


During their studies, students are required to attend at least four faculty seminars and to prepare a short report on the research methods employed. These seminars can include faculty seminars in Work and Society, faculty seminars in other departments, or presentations at conferences attended by the students.

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