Degree Requirements for the Program in Cultures, Languages, and Literatures (CLL)
It is required that students will enter the PhD program with a Master's degree in hand. The PhD curriculum in Cultures, Languages, and Literatures is organized as follows:
CST 7309: Theory and Criticism (6 credits) (Variable titles and content, repeatable for credits)
Two Theory and Criticism seminars - these are non-sequential and focus on specific areas of theory and criticism such as Postcolonial Theory, Discourse Theory, Theory of Language, Feminist Theory, Marxist Cultural Theory, etc. The topics vary from year to year. These courses are designed to present intense and focused explorations of various critical models. Rather than an eclectic sampling of critical approaches, these courses aim to situate students immediately within the theoretical discourses addressing selected cultural formations.
CST 7936: Interdisciplinary Perspectives (6 credits) (Variable titles and content, repeatable for credits)
Two Interdisciplinary Perspectives courses - these courses vary from year to year and may include topics such as Perspectives on (New) Media, Perspectives on Postcolonial Literature: Text, Pre-Text, Context, etc. These courses are designed as an introduction to Comparative Studies, and thereby emphasize the interdisciplinarity and multidisciplinarity that are at the foundation of the Cultures, Languages, and Literatures Program. While its content varies from semester to semester and professor to professor, these courses invariably serve to train students in approaching cultural texts and formations from more than a single disciplinary standpoint.
A minimum of 8 additional graduate courses at the 6000 or 7000-level (from at least two different college programs)
CST 7910: Advanced Research and Study (1-9 credits) These Directed Independent Study credits are used to help students prepare for their Comprehensive Exams, and vary in number in accordance to their needs.
CST 7980 - Dissertation Credits (a minimum of 18 dissertation credits) TOTAL CREDITS: a minimum of 55 credits Comprehensive exams:
Students will take the comprehensive exams at the beginning of their third year of study. The exams consist of a written and oral component. The written exam is based on a reading list that includes, but is not limited to, course assignments. It will consist of a series of written essays. The successful completion of these written assignments will be followed by an oral exam within two weeks.
Language/research:
In a language other than English, the student must demonstrate working knowledge either by passing a written translation exam or by successfully completing (with a grade of "B" or better) a "reading for research" course at the graduate level.
Satisfactory completion of a dissertation.