The Ph.D. program in English offers study in such areas as British and American literature, rhetoric and composition, language and linguistics, professional and technical writing, and literature and film. Distribution requirements direct students into applied as well as theoretical course work, preparing them for academic and nonacademic careers.
A graduate faculty member, after analysis of the applicant’s background and training, will counsel the student in planning an appropriate program. Small graduate seminars enable the student to develop the critical and investigative skills and insights necessary to perform successful scholarship and teaching. Fellowships and teaching assistantships are available for qualified students. Full-time students should be able to complete all the requirements for the doctoral degree in five years beyond the baccalaureate degree or four years beyond the master’s degree.
The doctoral degree in English is granted to candidates who not only satisfactorily complete a definite number of prescribed courses but who also are recognized for their high attainments and ability as shown by passing the required candidacy examinations (as detailed below) and by the preparation and defense of a dissertation.
Admission
For admission to the program leading to candidacy for the Ph.D. in English, the student ordinarily must have successfully completed 30 semester hours of graduate work or hold a master’s degree. Exceptional students who hold only a baccalaureate degree may apply directly to the doctoral program.
Requirements
English Ph.D. students must normally complete a minimum of 90 semester hours. These include 60 hours of course work (30 of which may be approved M.A. course work) and 30 hours of ENGL 799, Doctoral Dissertation. Students and assigned advisers design a program to prepare students for areas of study leading to field examinations, a dissertation, and professional expertise.
Students should select 700-level courses only if they have studied the period or subject at the undergraduate or M.A. level. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the instructor and with the approval of the director of graduate studies.
When selecting courses, students must include at least two courses with a pedagogical or other applied component from two of the fields of language, literature, and rhetoric (e.g., ENGL 600, ENGL 604, ENGL 610, ENGL 616, ENGL 621, ENGL 622, ENGL 628, ENGL 647, ENGL 696, ENGL 697, ENGL 700, ENGL 702, ENGL 703) and at least four 700-level seminars.
All Ph.D. students must demonstrate a knowledge of two foreign languages with average proficiency or one foreign language with high proficiency. The choice of languages is subject to departmental approval. The proficiency examinations must be passed before students take the candidacy examinations. (For means of demonstrating language proficiency, refer to “Language and Research-Tool Requirement” in the Requirements for Graduate Degrees section of this catalog.)
Candidacy Examinations
All Ph.D. students must successfully complete three Ph.D. candidacy examinations.
Two of these are written examinations in two fields of study selected from the following.
Rhetoric
Linguistics or philology
Medieval literature (Old English literature and Middle English literature)
English literature from 1500 to 1600 (including Shakespeare)
English literature from 1600 to 1660
British literature from 1660 to 1800
British literature from 1800 to 1900
British literature since 1900
American literature to 1865
American literature since 1865
African-American literature
British and American women’s literature since 1750
Literature and film
A special field as determined by an examination committee and student in consultation
The third is an oral examination which consists of an explanation and defense of the student’s dissertation proposal, including its relation to the larger body of relevant knowledge and to the teaching of English or to other professional pursuits.
Students may request permission of the director of graduate studies in English to take the examinations when they have successfully completed 20 semester hours of course work beyond the M.A. degree (or 50 semester hours beyond the baccalaureate degree).
Dissertation
Candidates must write a dissertation that contributes to literary or linguistic knowledge and exhibits original scholarship and the ability to conduct independent research. Candidates must pass an oral defense of the dissertation. Chaired by the dissertation director, who must be a senior member of the graduate faculty in English, the dissertation committee shall consist of at least three members of the graduate faculty. The dean of the Graduate School or a dean’s designee may also serve as an ex officio, nonvoting member of the dissertation defense committee.
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