a J- MASTER OF ARTS IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING By-Laws made by the Council of the University of Colombo under Section 13 5 of the Universities Act No. 15 of I 978 and its subsequent amendrnents. BY-LAWS 1. These By-Laws may be cited as the MA in English Language &ELT By-Laws No.f,of 200el. Part I - General 2. Subject to these By -Laws, a person may be awarded the degree of Master of Arts in English Language and English Language Teaching if : (a) (b) (b) (d) he /she has been duly registered for the course of study leading to the degree of Master of Arts in English Language and English Language Teaching ; his / her registration continues to be in force ; he / she has passed the examinations leading to the degree of Master of Arts in English Language and English Language Teaching ; and he / she has fulfilled all other requirements prescribed by these By-Laws, Regulations and Rules of the University. 2. A person who wishes to become a candidate for the Degree of Master of Arts in English Language and English Language Teaching (hereinafter refered to as the MA in EL & ELT) shall make an application to the Registrar, Deputy Registrar, Senior Assistant Registrar or Assistant Registrar in charge of the subject, in the prescribed form submitting the information as he / she may be required to submit and his / her qualifications for undefiaking the course of study. 3. There shall be a Coordinator for the MA in EL & ELT Programme and he / she shall be appointed by the Vice-Chancellor from among the staff of the Department of English on the recommendation of the Head of the Department of English and the Dean of the Faculty of Arts. 4. Applications received by the relevant officer in charge of the subject shall be referred to the Coordinator of the Programme. The Coordinator, having examined the applications for necessary initial qualifications, shall, with the concurrence of the Head of the Department of English, call the qualified candidates for an interview, on which selections may be made. 5.1. No person shall be considered for admission to the course leading to the MA in ' EL & ELT unless he / she has the following qualifications :
4- a) A Special Degree in English or a General Degree with English as one subject; OR b) A Postgraduate Diploma in ELT with a minimum mark of 55 Yo inevery component from the Department of English, University of Colombo; OR c) A qualification deemed equivalent by the Department of English, University of Colombo to its Postgraduate Diploma in English with a minimum mark of 556/o in every component. With regard to the question of equivalency, it shall be determined by the syllabus and by an applicant successfully passing an aptitude test set by the Department of English. 5"2" Such persons shall be initially registered for the Postgraduate Diploma in English Language Teaching (ELT). They will be required to successfully complete rhis programme and obtain a minimum mark of 55 %o in each component. Subsequently they will be permitted to register for the MA in English Language & ELT for a minimum period of two years. 5"3" 5 "4. 5"5" Persons who have already obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in ELT from the Department of English, University of Colombo, with a minimum mark of 55 yo tn every component may be registered directly for the MA in EL & ELT provided they satisfu other requirements and are successful at the selection interview. Persons with other qualifications that the Department of English & ELTU deem equivalent to the Postgraduate Diploma in ELT with a minimum mark of 55 oa in each gomponent, may also be considered. Persons who have already obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in ELT from the Department of English, University of Colombo, but whose minimum mark in one or more components is between 40-49 %, shall be permitted to repeat the relevant components, in order to quali$' for admission to the MA in English Language & ELT. Persons who have obtained any other Diploma that the Department of English deems to be equivalent to the Postgraduate Diploma in ELT but whose minimum mark in one or more component is between 40-49 %, shall be permitted to register for the Postgraduate Diploma in ELT. They may be given exemptions from certain course units on the basis of their performance at an Aptitude Test set by the Department of English.
I : - 5-6. On acceptance by the-faculty, a person shall register as a MA intt_; Ef.r. ll:-!lit"tt:tyq"nl :ljht.universitv. He / she drv shall orr4rl pay P4J the [Irg prescribed pl,gscn all-ircl,sive :o:f.. fee.,whr.ch shall.be intimated to the candidate uy irr. Registrar in charge ol the subject at the time of his / her registration. 7. Subject to these By-Laws the minimum period for which a student shall be a registered student for the MA in EL & ELT programme shall be a continuops periocl of five semesters. 8. A student shall be required to complete the requirements for the Degree of MA in EL & ELT before the expiry of a continous period of ten semesters from the date of first registration. 9. The requirements for the Degree of MA in EL &ELT shall consist of the prescribecl examination components and a dissertation. Part II - Course Details 10'1' The programme of study, unless otherwise decided by the Senate fbr special reasons, shall be a continuous period of five semesters. l0'2' Two course units will be completed in the first semester and an examinatio' shall be conducted at the end of the semester. Similarly two more course units will be completed in the second semester and an examination shall be conducted at the end of the semester. l0'3' The titles of course units shall be as those set out in the Schedule and the Senate shall have power' on the recommendation of the Faculty Board of the Faculty of Arts, to amend the schedule, the syllabuses and the examination format. 10'4 In each of the taught courses, 50 percent of marks shall be allocated through a system of continuous assessment based on the performance at take horne assignments-and/or term papers/practical exercises. The balance 50 percent of marks shall be awarded on the performance at the written examination held after the period of teaching at the end of each semester. 10'5 Continuous assessment in respect of course work and the answer scripts at the written examination shall be assessed by two independent "*urnin"., ufioin,.a uy the University Senate on the recommendation of the Faculty Board. 10 q (a) There shall be a research committee comprising three members in the Department of English to evaluate the research design/pr6posals,uu*itt.a il ;i;; respective candidates. (b) (i) The dissertation shall be assessed by two independent examiners ' appointed by the University. The student shall, through treilhis srp"ruisor, notify the Deputy Registrar / Senior Assistant Registrar in ci'arge of Examinations. of
-6- her/his intention to submit her/his dissertation for examination at least two months before such submission so as to enable the University authorities to make the required arrangements for the examination of the dissertation. The student shall submit to the Deputy Registrar / Senior Assistant Registrar, three copies of the thesis prepared in accordance with the rules set out in Schedule II. (ii) a) The student shall submit her/his dissertation after l8 months but within 24 months of her/his registration, provided sheihe has already passecl the writtel examination. b) The dissertation shall represent a significant contribution to knowledge carried out by an examination or interpretation of existing material and presented in a lucid and systematic manner. It shall also demonstrate the candidate's knowledge of methods of research, his/her competence to present material systematically and his/her ability to exercise critical and independent judgment. (iii) The Senate, on the recommendation of the Faculty Board, shall appoint two examiners to examine and report on the dissertation. (iv) Each examiner shall submit to the Deputy Registrar / Senior Assistant Registrar i1 charge of Examinations a written report on the dissertation and give definite recommendations as to how the dissertation should be regarded in respect of the M.A. in EL &. ELT Degree according to the provisions of section 10.6 (b) (ii) b) and section 11 of these By-Laws. (v) The student shall be subjected to a viva voce examination by a Boarcl of Examiners, which shall consist of: 1) The Vice Chancellor and/or the Dean of the Faculty of Arts 2) The two examiners appointed to assess the dissertation 3) The Head, Department of English 4) The Supervisor/s as Observer/s I l. After consideration of the reports of the examiners, the Board of Examir-rers shall convey to the Senate any of the following decisions: (a) i. That the dissertation be accepted for the award of the Degrcc without modifi cation; or, ii. That the dissertation be accepted for the award of the degree subject to minor changes which shall be carried out within four weeks to the satisfaction of the Head, Department of English. OR (b) That the dissertation be referred back to the candidate as significant revisions are required to be carried out by the candidate and that the revised dissertation be submitted not earlier than 3 months br-rt not later
..:::*c9 lhe revision shar rrave," rm the examiners' comments and the Supervisor has to certify that revision.s were so carried out. The revised dissertation shall be r"nt to one of the examiners for him/her to certify that the revised dissertation had reached the required standard and that it could be accepted. OR (c) That the dissertation be failed and not accepted. A completely new dissertation shall have to be resubmitted not earlier than one year but lot later than two years. If a student fails to reach the required staldard in the resubmitted dissertation by satisfying either section l l (a) i or ii, she/he shall be struck off the registration list of M.A. students. 12. (a) When a dissertation is accepted for the award of the M.A. in EL & ELT Degree, three copies shall be submitted to the University. Two copies out of the three submitted shall be retained by the University. (b) Any person wishing to consult a dissertation shall be required to sign a statement acknowledging that she/he had been given access to the dissertation for consultation, and unrdertaking that no part of the dissertation will be published or paraphrased without the prior consent of the author and the University. 13. 13.1 A person shall not be permitted to take the semester-end examination at the end of each semester in the first year unless (a) she/he has registered as an M.A. in EL & ELT candidate as fi.om the commencement of the relevant academic year; (b) followed at leasr 70 percent of the classes held; (c) she/he has registered with the Examinations Branch of the Universitv for the examination she/he intends to sit; (d) the Head, Department of English has certified that she/he has completed the course of studies leading to the examination by attendipg the required proportion of lectures, tutorial classes and other forms o1' instruction in each course: (e) herlhis student registration continues to be in force; and (f) her/his application for entry to the examination has been accepted.
.-8-13'2 All rules relating to the Examination Procedure, Offences and punisliment Regulation No. 1 of 1986 shall mutatis mutandis appiy to, or in relation to. the M.A. in EL & ELT Examination. Part rii - criteria for pass/referenc/fairure 14. l4'1 Candidates would be deemed as having satisfied the requirements for the Degree only on successful completion of Semeiter I & II Examinations in the first year and the dissertation at a viva voce examination as per these By_Laws. 14.2 The student who successfully completes the Semester I & II examinations will be issued a letter by the University stating that she/he has completed the said examinations. In case of failure, they shall also be informed accorclingly. 14.3 The pass mark in each course unit shall be 55 percent. In the second year. the acceptance of the dissertation for the award of tire Degree by the Boarct of Examiners shall be as laid down in sections 10 (6) (b) (ii) b) and tila; orthis tsy_ Law. 15. l5'l A candidate who does not satisfu the minimum conditions for a pass in the Semester Examinations, as laid down in l4 above, shall be deemed to have either been referred or failed in the relevant examination. 15.2 A candidate who does not satis$ the minimum conditions for a pass in Semester I or II Examination, as the case may be, but yet satisfies the minimum condition - i'e. passes in one course unit only and fails in the other course unit shall be qualified for a reference in that Semester examination and shall repeat the failed unit only in the next available occasion, provided he/she is entitled to have the registration in tact in terms of these By-Laws. 16. The referred candidate is required to reach the 55 percent mark in the referred course at the next examination to be held unless senate approval has been obtained to repeat the referred course in a subsequent examination. Tliis wor.rld be considered as the last chance of completing the semester examination. 17. A candidate who fails to satisfu the requirements of section I I (a) or (b) shall be deemed to have failed the dissertation. 18. A candidate who does not satisfy the conditions for a pass or a reference shall be deemed to have failed in the M.A in EL &ELT examination.
s - r----\ l9' All candidates shall be informed individually of the resulrs of their "-*P, In case of failure, they shall also be informed of the subjects in which they fbiled. 20' A candidate will become eligible for a Distinction Pass in the MA if he / she firlfils the following criteria : (a) a Pass in the Course Units at the first attempt. (b) a Distinction standard in the dissertation 21' 2l.l The fees for application, registration, tuition, examination and library facilities shall be determined from time to time by the Council of the University on the recommendation of the Department of English. The fees paid shall under no circumstance be refunded. 21.2 There will be additional fees charged from referred and/or failed candidates as determined by the Faculty Board and Council depending on t5e expenses to be incurred by the University to service their repeat attempts in the M.A. in EL &. ELT examination process. 21.3 The fee payable for a certificate or statement of results or a transcript shati be determined by the Council of the University. Transcripts of examinatiol results shall only be submitted to another academic institution. 21.4 Where a late application is to be accepted an additional fee of 50% of the prescribed fee shall be charged if the application is received within seven days of the due date for the receipt of applications. If the application is made after seven days, but within fourteen days, of the due date an aaaltional fee of rca% of thc prescribed fee shall be charged. No application shall be entertained after a lapse of fourteen days from the due date except in special circumstances. 21.5 A fee shall be charged for replacement of a lost student identity carcl or a lost library card at rates determined by the Council. Part IV - Interpretation 22. ln these By-Laws, unless the context otherwise requires : "Council: means the Council of the University of Colombo constituted by the Universities Act No.l6 of 1078. "Registrar" means Registrar, Acting Registrar, Deputy Registrar, Senior Assistapt Registrar, Assistant Registrar and any other Officer authorized to sign for and on behalf of the Registrar of the University of Colombo.
-lo" "semester" means a period declared by the Faculty Board of the Faculty of Arts on the recommendation of the Department of Arts, which will generally correspond to a continuous period of fourteen weeks. "senate" means the Senate of the University of Colombo continued by tl-re Universities Act. No.16 of 1978.
- ta"- SCHEDULE 1tt Year Semester Discourse Analysis Research Methods & Analysis (Students who have applied for the MA will also be required to undefiake and complete a research project in consultation with a Supervisor. This project should be clearly relevant to English Language or English Language Teaching and use appropriate research methodologies. This project will be the basis of the final thesis.) DISCOURSE ANALYSIS Course Objectives The purpose of this course is to train students in the techniques of analyzing both interactional and transactional samples of discourse in keeping with trends towards usage based models of language for the purpose of teaching English. Expected Outcomes Students will be able to : a. identifli specific discursive features that contribute towards creating coherence in communication. b. use their knowledge of the functions of discourse markers and formulaic expressions to design effective English Language Teaching materials. c. critically analyze spoken and written texts in relation to stance and aftitude., Course Content This course will introduce discourse analysis as both a resource and a technique for language teachers through an examination and analysis of different types of spoken and written texts. Discourse features of particular interest and usefulness to ianguage teachers
-12- SuchaSsignpostingdevices,hedges,idiomsandotherformulaicphraseswillbediscussed and analyzed in order to demonstrate their function in the intricacies of language as communication. Assessment Method Literature review Mid-semester project Final written paper Weightage 20 % (week 6) 30 % (week 10) 50% (week 15) RESEARCH METHODS & ANALYSIS Course Objectives The purpose of this course is to train students in methods of both quantitative and qualitative research and ensure that ethical practices are followed in the documenting and reporting of any kind of research. Expected Outcomes Students will be able to : a. formulate a research question or hypothesis and identify appropriate methods of data collection and analysis. b. write a comprehensive literature review. c. draw valid conclusions from both quantitative and qualitative data. Course Content,This course will introduce students to research methods for language teachers or those interested in researching linguistic issues. Topics covered will include formulation of a research question / hypothesis, instrument selection and design, identification of appropriate data and sample populations and basic methods of data analysis. The course will also cover reviewing the literature and the correct documentation of bibliographic sources.
-13* Assessment Method Literature review Research proposal Weightage 50% (on a topic I area selected by student) s0%