Doctor of Philosophy Program Requirements
Complete two courses in criticism, theory, and method:
- ENG 801 Introduction to Graduate Studies
- ENG 802 Literary Criticism and Theory
This core curriculum in criticism, theory, and method is designed to provide students with an introduction to the discipline and to the stakes and practices of current literary and cultural scholarship.
2. Complete at least 18 credits of additional coursework. Students may count up to nine credits of coursework from other departments (excluding cross-listed courses) toward the degree. In order to count towards the degree, courses from other departments must be in related fields and must focus on issues of criticism and theory, literary and cultural history, or multinational or global literary traditions. In order to encourage historical breadth, students are required to complete at least one course that covers literature before 1800 and one course that covers literature after 1800. Courses may be chosen from the following three areas:
Criticism, theory, and method:
- ENG 802 Literary Criticism and Theory (re-enrollment permitted for Ph.D. students)
- ENG 803 Special Topics in Criticism, Theory, and Method
Language and literature:
- ENG 812 Studies in the English Language
- ENG 813 Literatures in English before 1800
- ENG 814 Literatures in English after 1800
- ENG 818 Studies in Genres and Media
- ENG 819 Special Topics in Language and Literature
Emphasis area seminars:
- ENG 820 Emphasis Area Seminar (multiple sections each semester by area; course is repeatable for credit up to six times)
- ENG 826 Special Topics Seminar
3. Complete a language requirement at the college level. The language requirement for the Ph.D. is intended to provide students with the tools they need to conduct research in languages other than English. Each student should work in consultation with the guidance committee (or with the director of graduate studies) to determine which language or languages is/are most appropriate for the student's research topic and which one of the following two options best fulfills this objective, considering the student’s chosen area of study:
Option A:
Demonstrate advanced reading proficiency at the college level in any language other than English. This may be done by taking coursework in the language at the 400 level or above (excluding GRM 400, FRN 400, SPN 400, and RUS 410) or by passing an advanced reading comprehension and translation exam.
Option B:
Demonstrate second-year proficiency at the college level in two languages other than English. This may be done by completing coursework through the 200 level, passing an examination of reading comprehension, or completing a 400-level reading course for graduate students (e.g., GRM 400, FRN 400, SPN 400, or RUS 410).
4. Pass the Ph.D. comprehensive examination.
5. Complete the first three requirements listed above and have a grade point average of at least 3.5 in all graduate coursework before beginning work on the dissertation. All doctoral students must register for a minimum of 24 credits of dissertation research (ENG 999) during their tenure in the program.
6. Pass a pre-dissertation examination that consists of an oral presentation based on a written proposal of the dissertation.
7. Complete the dissertation. The dissertation is a written exercise engaging all of the skills required in the professional practices of research, argumentation, interpretation, and writing.
8. Pass a final oral examination in defense of the dissertation.
Any substitutions for these requirements must be approved by the graduate chairperson.
