Doctor of Philosophy in English - Literature
Doctoral students in this program are encouraged to develop expertise in literature as both a historical and an evolving practice.
Faculty have a wide range of interests and expertise, spanning the traditional historical periods and cross-disciplinary fields like queer and feminist theory, film studies, disability studies, and literary biography.
Because specializations are delineated by students, recent doctoral students have concentrated in a variety of fields, including transatlantic modernism, United States ethnic literatures, and the long 18th century.
The doctorate in English with a concentration in literature prepares mature scholar/teachers to enter college or university teaching or to accept professional positions in business, industry, or allied fields where the highest levels of analytical and communications skills are required. Relevant master’s course work may be transferred to the degree.
Degree Requirements
PhD in English with Concentration in Literature, 90 credits |
ENG 601 |
Research in English Studies (literature) |
3 |
| ENG 605 |
English Teaching of English in Higher Education (taken once as "Composition" and a second time as "Literature") |
6 |
ENG 606 |
English Literary Theory 1
or |
|
ENG 607 |
Literary Theory 2 |
3 |
ENG 693 |
Writing in The Profession |
3 |
ENG 799 |
Doctoral Dissertation |
18 |
Literature: |
3 credits in each of the following areas—must include at least 3 credits of American literature: |
|
British literature to 1500 |
15 |
|
British/American literature 1500-1700 |
|
British/American literature 1700-1800 |
|
British/American literature 1800-1900 |
|
Literature 1900-present |
One course in one of the following areas: |
|
American ethnic studies |
3 |
|
Gender studies |
|
International studies |
Directed electives: |
|
At least 15 hours of electives in courses chosen in consultation with advisor |
15 |
| Electives |
|
24 |
|
Total Credits |
90 |
|
Comprehensive Examinations
At or near the completion of coursework, students take written comprehensive examinations. Oral examinations follow the written exams.
Dissertation
Candidates for the PhD must complete a dissertation on an original topic under the guidance of a committee of faculty. The dissertation requires 18 hours of credit in DISS 799.
Foreign Language
Before writing their comprehensive examinations, candidates must establish competence in one language other than English relevant to their research.