In the XDM program, students have the option of completing their degree by coursework, or through a combination of coursework and a major research/creative project. Additionally, students in all MA streams must complete an academic-integrity workshop requirement.
Coursework
Courses
Coursework students must complete the following 8 courses:
- ENGL 701 Critical Design Methods
- 3 courses designated as Experimental Digital Media
- 1 course designated as Literature
- 3 elective courses (*one may be extra-departmental)
Program Schedules
The following table shows the recommended program schedules for different ways of completing the MA-XDM coursework degree:
|
Type of Coursework Degree |
Year 1 |
Year 2 |
Year 3 |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Term 1 |
Term 2 |
Term 3 |
Term 1 |
Term 2 |
Term 3 |
Term 1 |
Term 2 |
Term 3 |
|
|
Full time Funded for 3 terms |
3 courses |
3 courses |
2 courses |
||||||
|
Co-op Funded for 3 terms |
3 courses |
3 courses |
co-op |
co-op |
2 courses |
||||
|
Part time* No funding |
1 course |
1 course |
1 course |
1 course |
1 course |
1 course |
1 course |
1 course |
|
Major research/creative project (MRP)
Courses
MRP Students must complete the following 6 courses:
- ENGL 701 Critical Design Methods
- 2 courses designated as Experimental Digital Media
- 1 course designated as Literature
- 2 elective courses from either within or outside the department
Program Schedules
The following table shows the recommended program schedules for different ways of completing the MA-XDM MRP degree:
|
Type of MRP Degree |
Year 1 |
Year 2 |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Term 1 |
Term 2 |
Term 3 |
Term 1 |
Term 2 |
Term 3 |
|
|
Full time Funded for 3 terms |
3 courses |
2 courses MRP proposal |
1 course MRP work |
|||
|
Co-op Funded for 3 terms (no funding during co-op terms |
3 courses |
2 courses MRP proposal |
co-op |
co-op |
1 course MRP work |
|
|
Part time* No funding |
1 course |
1 course |
1 course |
1 course MRP proposal |
1 course MRP work |
1 course MRP work |
Major Research Project Details
The MRP can take shape as either a 40-50-page paper on a critical media studies issue OR a hands-on design project accompanied by a 20-25-page paper that describes and theorizes the project in the context of critical media studies. Sample projects may be viewed on the Critical Media Lab's Projects page. A passing grade for the MRP is 70%.
Students must arrange for a supervisor from the Department of English and a reader from English or any other Waterloo department chosen in consultation with the supervisor. Under their guidance, students prepare a proposal to submit to the English Graduate Studies Committee. The proposal is due in the term before the MRP begins, on the first day of the third month of the term BEFORE the MRP begins: March 1 for Spring term MRP, July 1 for Fall term MRP, and November 1 for Winter term MRP.
The MRP is due to the supervisor and reader in your last term of study: April 1 for Winter term, August 1 for Spring term, and December 1 for Fall term. They will then assess it and submit the program completion form by that term’s grading deadline.
Digital copies of the completed and approved MRP should be supplied to the supervisor and reader(s) by the student, unless the supervisor specifies otherwise.