Literature
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE: 3134 Literature Building, (858) 534-3214
GRADUATE OFFICE: 3139/3140 Literature Building, (858) 534-3217
UNDERGRADUATE OFFICE: 3110 Literature Building, (858) 534-3210
Professors
Courses
All literature courses at UCSD are offered by a single Department
of Literature. The department brings together writers, teachers,
scholars, and students of several different languages and literatures.
Here, they are united by the nature of the studies they pursue.
This lends a comparative aspect to both undergraduate and graduate
programs, which lead to the bachelor of arts, master of arts, the
candidate in philosophy, and doctor of philosophy degrees. All students
must show knowledge of a foreign literature by doing upper-division
or graduate work in that literature in the original language. Courses
are offered not only in the literatures themselves but in the theoretical
aspects of literature andoften in cooperation with other departmentsin
the relationship of literary study to other disciplines such as
philosophy, visual arts, music, sociology, history, psychology,
linguistics, and communication. With special permission, undergraduates
may take graduate courses for credit, and graduate students may
also take undergraduate courses for credit.
The UCSD Librarys Mandeville Department of Special Collections
offers the undergraduate and graduate literature student an excellent
range of resources, including single-author collections, rare and
out-of-print books, tapes, maps, and historical archives. Of special
interest are the Southworth Collection of Spanish Civil War materials,
the Hill Collection of South Pacific Voyages, the Don Cameron Allen
Renaissance collection, and the Archive for New Poetry. Within the
latter collection are an extensive series of single-author archives,
including the papers of Paul Blackburn, Donald Allen, Lew Welch,
Charles Reznikoff, Joanne Kyger, Jerome Rothenberg, and others.
The Archive for New Poetry is one of the largest collections of
contemporary poetry in the United States. Graduate students also
have access, facilitated by travel grants, to all other University
of California research collections.
Careers for Literature Majors
A major in literature opens many career possibilities. Education
is a primary option, but specializations in literature (English,
Spanish, etc.) and writing also serve as excellent preparation for
graduate and professional programs. A degree in literature provides
a strong background for the LSAT and law school. Medical schools
seek out students who are prepared not only in the sciences, but
also in the humanities and writing. The business world seeks college-trained
English majors, and international corporations actively recruit
students with a specialty in French, German, Italian, Russian, or
Spanish. Literature majors find careers in advertising, book editing
and publishing, journalism, communications, mass media, and other
professions where writers and editors are in demand. The knowledge
of a second language and culture provides literature majors with
a decided career advantage.
Secondary School English Teaching
The literature department offers an excellent preparation for teaching
English/ESL in secondary schools. Suggested majors include Literatures
of the World (with a TEP focus), Literatures in English, and Literature/Writing.
If you are interested in receiving a California teaching credential
from UCSD, contact the Teacher Education Program for information
about prerequisites and professional preparation requirements. Please
consult the TEP and the literature department early in your academic
career to plan an appropriate literature curriculum.
The Undergraduate Program
Lower-Division Preparation
Lower-division requirements vary, depending on the literature program
in which the student elects to concentrate. However, the department
strongly recommends that, as part of the freshman/sophomore course
work, students who have chosen or are considering a major in literature
begin an appropriate lower-division language sequence in the Department
of Linguistics or Literature as preparation for upper-division course
work in a foreign language and literature. All literature majors
require knowledge of a second language.
Writing Component in Literature Courses
It is the departmental expectation that students in lower-division
courses should write a minimum of 2,500 words per course. In upper-division
courses the minimum requirement is 4,000 words per course.
The Major in Literature
There are nine majors available to students within the Department
of Literature: Literatures in English, French, German, Italian,
Russian, Spanish, Literatures of the World, Writing, and the composite
major in two literatures. Requirements vary from program to program
as described below. Once a student has decided upon a major in literature,
he or she is required to meet regularly with an adviser in the Department
of Literature. Worksheets defining major requirements are available
in the literature undergraduate office to help students organize
their course work.
All students majoring in literature must study a secondary literature,
that is, a literature written in a language different from that
of their primary literature. The range of secondary literatures
includes Classical Greek, Hebrew, and Latin, as well as the previously
mentioned French, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish, and for those
concentrating in a foreign literature, English. Students will satisfy
this requirement by taking three courses in the secondary literature,
given substantially in the native language. At least one of these
courses must be upper-division. Students should see an adviser to
confirm the selection of the specific courses that will be taken
to satisfy both the lower-division and the upper-division components
of the secondary literature requirement.
The lower-division component within the secondary literatures
may be satisfied by: French 2B and either 2C or 50; German 2B
and 2C;
Hebrew 2 and 3 (see Judaic Studies); Italian 2B and
50; Greek 2 and 3; Latin 2 and 3; Russian 2B and 2C; two courses
from Spanish 50A-50B-50C. For majors other than Literatures in
English,
two courses from English 27-28-29 and 60, 21-22-23-25-26 are applicable.
(Literatures of the World and writing courses may not be applied
toward the English secondary literature requirement.)
Note: World Literature courses taught in English do not
apply unless there is a foreign-language discussion section and
materials
are available in the foreign language. World Literature (LTWL)
courses whose primary focus is U.S. literature may apply toward
requirements in Literatures in English.
Upper-division courses in the secondary literature are counted
as part of the total number of upper-division courses required for
the major. Students are free to choose from any of the regularly
scheduled upper-division offerings in their secondary foreign literature.
Special Studies courses (198s and 199s) cannot be used to satisfy
upper-division secondary literature requirements.
All regularly-scheduled departmental courses taken to satisfy the
requirements of the literature major, including courses in the secondary
literature, must be taken for a letter grade. No grade below C
is acceptable for a course taken in the major.
At least six of the upper-division courses for the major, including
a minimum of four in the primary literature, must be taken at UCSD.
Dual Major in Literature
The dual major in literature permits a student to develop a solid
foundation in two literatures while remaining within one department.
Because the UCSD Literature Department houses literatures that are
divided among different departments at most universities, our dual
major allows students to coordinate their studies with a single,
closely-knit group of faculty, and to arrange their program without
repeating two different sets of major requirements. (For example,
since a dual major necessarily combines literatures written in two
different languages, it automatically fulfills the foreign-language
requirement for the literature major.)
Students pursuing a dual major work closely with an adviser
to plan a program of study that meets the following requirements:
- Students will select two literatures of concentration (Literature
1 and Literature 2)
- one of the literatures must be in a language other than
English;
- both concentrations, however, can be in non-English literatures;
thus a student can choose English and French, for example,
or Russian and Spanish, French and Italian, German and Latin,
Spanish and English, etc., but not Literatures of the World
or Literature/Writing.
- Students will meet all lower-division major requirements for
each of the two literatures of concentration. See specific Primary
Concentration listings above; English, Spanish, and Russian,
for example, all have lower-division requirements for the major.
- Students will take eight upper-division courses in each of the
two selected literatures of concentration for a total of sixteen
upper- division courses.
- These must satisfy the upper-division course requirements
for each of the two majors. Thus, for example, if one of
the
concentrations is English, the student must include courses
from each of the four stipulated categories; if one of the
concentrations is Spanish, upper-division courses must include
LTSP 119AB or 119C, 130A, and 130B.
- Beyond the upper-division requirements for each literature
of concentration (Literature 1 and Literature 2), students
will take a sufficient number of elective courses in each
of the two literatures of concentration to make a total of
eight upper-division courses in each chosen concentration.
Honors Program
The department offers a special program of advanced study for
outstanding undergraduates majoring in literature. Admission to
this program ordinarily requires an overall GPA of 3.5 and a literature
major GPA of 3.7 at the beginning of the senior year. Students
meeting these requirements will be sent, during the latter part
of fall quarter, an invitation to participate in the program. Interested
students who anticipate that they will not meet the established
criteria may petition to participate in the program by submitting
a personal statement and three letters of support from members
of the literature faculty by the end of the third week of fall
quarter. During the winter quarter of their senior year, all honors
students enroll in the honors seminar (LTWL 191), which aims to
deepen their understanding
of the issues of theory and method implied in the study of literature.
This seminar lays the groundwork for an honors thesis, written
in spring quarter (LT__ 196), each under the supervision of a faculty
member who specializes in the literature of the student’s
primary concentration. The Honors Program concludes with an oral
examination of each honors
candidate by a faculty committee, which is charged with recommending
whether departmental honors are warranted and, if so, which degree
of honors will appear on the student’s transcript and diploma.
Students from this program will also be recommended for the Burckhardt
and Williams Prizes, which are awarded at graduation for outstanding
achievement
in the literature major. The honors seminar and thesis course may
be applied toward the primary concentration in the literature major.
For Literature/Writing majors, the honors seminar is considered
to be equivalent to a writing workshop.
Special Studies
These upper-division independent studies opportunities are intended
for advanced students, able to work on their own, and interested
in a topic not normally covered by departmental offerings.
Students with upper-division standing, a departmental GPA of at
least 3.0, an overall GPA of at least 2.5, and completion of lower-division
prerequisites in the subject, are eligible to take Special Studies
courses (198s and 199s). Those not satisfying these criteria may,
with justification supported by the proposed Special Studies instructor,
petition for an exception to the regulation. 198s and 199s require
at least 4,000 words of writing or an equivalent project as determined
by the instructor. Information and Special Studies Enrollment forms
are available in the literature undergraduate office. Enrollment
requires departmental approval. These courses may not be used to
satisfy upper-division secondary literature requirements for majors
or minors.
Study Abroad
Study abroad can significantly enhance a students major,
particularly in ways in which it relates to international issues.
Literature students are encouraged to study abroad before their
senior year. Students who take Education Abroad Program or Opportunities
Abroad Program (EAP/OAP) courses in a country appropriate to their
major may use up to five upper-division courses to satisfy major
requirements or a total of three toward a minor. For dual majors
in literature, six courses from abroad may apply, with no more than
four toward either one of the two concentrations. These must be
approved by the department after they have been entered on the students
official record at UCSD. The approval process is described in a
handout on receiving transfer credit, available in the Literature
Undergraduate Office. The main point to remember is that before
leaving for study abroad, students should know which EAP courses
will count toward the major or minor, and which will not.
Individual Program Requirements
Primary Concentration in Literatures in English
- Six lower-division courses:
- LTEN 21, 22, and 23.
- LTEN 25 and 26, plus one of the following: LTEN 27, 28,
or 29.
Even if some or all of these courses are used toward meeting
a colleges humanities or general-education requirements,
they will still count toward satisfying the requirements for
the major in literatures in English.
- Nine upper-division courses from literatures in English offerings,
including courses from each of the following three categories:
- Two British literature courses, one each from periods before
and after 1660.
- Two U.S. Literature courses, one each from periods before
and after 1860.
- One course in world Anglophone literature(s) with focus
other than British or U.S. literatures.
- One upper-division course in the history of criticism or in
literary/cultural theory and methods from among the following:
LTTH 110; LTTH 115; or LTCS 100.
- Three courses in a secondary literature, at least one of which
must be upper-division. (See The Major in Literature,
above.)
- Upper-division electives chosen from Department of Literature
offerings to make a total of twelve upper-division courses.
Primary Concentration in a Foreign Literature
Literatures in French
- Nine upper-division courses as follows:
- LTFR 115-116, Themes in French Intellectual and Literary
History
- Seven additional upper-division courses in French literature,
including at least one course in each of the following periods:
seventeenth or eighteenth century; nineteenth century; and
twentieth century.
- Three courses in a secondary literature, that is, a literature
written and taught in a language other than French. At least one
of these courses must be upper-division. Special studies courses
(198s and 199s) and courses in foreign literatures which are taught
in French do not apply to the secondary literature requirement.
- Upper-division electives chosen from Department of Literature
offerings to make a total of twelve upper-division courses.
Literatures in German
- Nine upper-division courses in German literature. Two of these
should be in literature written before the year 1850.
- Three courses in a secondary literature, that is, a literature
written and taught in a language other than German. At least one
of these courses must be upper-division. Special studies courses
(198s and 199s) and courses in foreign literatures taught in German
do not apply to the secondary literature requirement. See The
Major in Literature, above, for applicable lower-division courses.
- Upper-division electives chosen from Department of Literature
offerings to make a total of twelve upper-division courses.
Literatures in Italian
- Nine upper-division courses in Italian literature as follows:
- LTIT 100, Introduction to Italian Literature
- LTIT 115, Medieval Studies
- LTIT 161, Advanced Stylistics and Conversation
- One course in Italian
North American Culture
- Five additional upper-division courses in Italian literature
taught in Italian
- Three courses in a secondary literature, that is, a literature
written and taught in a language other than Italian. At least
one of these courses must be upper-division. Special studies courses
(198s and 199s) and courses in foreign literatures taught in Italian
do not apply to the secondary literature requirement. See The
Major in Literature, above, for applicable lower-division courses.
- Upper-division electives chosen from Department of Literature
offerings to make a total of twelve upper-division courses.
Russian Literature
- Russian 1A-B-C and 2A-B-C or their equivalent
- Twelve upper-division courses in Russian:
- LTRU 104A-B-C
- LTRU 110A-B-C
- Six additional upper-division courses in Russian literature
- Three courses in a secondary literature, that is, a literature
written and taught in a language other than Russian. At least
one of these courses must be upper-division. Special studies courses
(198s and 199s) and courses in foreign literatures taught in Russian
do not apply to the secondary literature requirement. See The
Major in Literature, above, for applicable lower-division courses.
Students in the Russian literature major are encouraged to participate
in the Education Abroad Program (EAP) in Moscow and to investigate
other options for foreign study through the Opportunities Abroad
Program (OAP). By petition, credits earned through EAP/OAP can fulfill
UCSD degree and major requirements.
Literatures in Spanish
- Two lower-division Spanish literature courses, as indicated:
- LTSP 50A, Peninsular Literature
- Either LTSP 50B or LTSP 50C, Latin Amercan Literature
- Nine upper-division courses as follows:
- LTSP 130A, Development of Spanish Literature
- LTSP 130B, Development of Latin American Literature
- LTSP 119AB or 119C (Cervantes)
- Six additional upper-division courses in Spanish, Latin
American, and/or Chicano literature (taught in Spanish)
- Three courses in a secondary literature, that is, a literature
written and taught in a language other than Spanish. At least
one of these courses must be upper-division. Special studies courses
(198s and 199s) and courses in foreign literatures taught in Spanish
do not apply to the secondary literature requirement. See The
Major in Literature, above, for applicable lower-division courses.
- Upper-division electives from Department of Literature offerings,
whether in Spanish or in another literature, to make a total of
twelve upper-division courses.
Students majoring in Spanish can choose to concentrate on either
Spanish or Latin American literature. All students, however, are
encouraged to take courses in the various national literatures as
well as in Chicano literature for a broad background in Spanish
language literatures.
Students not having a solid linguistic base in Spanish are advised
to take intermediate language courses from the LTSP 2 and 50 sequences
for additional review of Spanish grammar, development of writing
skills, and introduction to literary analysis. Only 50A and either
50B or 50C, however, can count towards the major.
It is strongly recommended that students take LTSP 130A before
any other upper-division Spanish (peninsular) literature course
and LTSP 130B before any other upper-division Latin American literature
course.
Primary Concentration in Literatures of the World
The major in Literatures of the World allows students to expand
the focus of their work beyond a single-language literature. They
plan an individual program with options in regional studies (Europe,
the Americas, East Asia, Africa, Near East) and topical studies
(genre, period, gender, ethnic literature, teacher education, literature
and the visual arts, cultural studies, literature and science, writing,
Third World Studies, The Western Tradition) as well as the single-language
literatures.
- Lower-division (three courses):
A three-course sequence in literature chosen from any section
in literature.
Students can combine courses in an original national language/literature
with courses in translation to satisfy this requirement, such
as LTFR 2A and 2B plus LTWL 4A (Fiction and Film in the 20th Century:
France). As of fall 2003, students may use either the Revelle
College Humanities sequence (HUM 1–5) or Eleanor Roosevelt
College’s Making of the Modern World (MMW 1–6) to
satisfy the lower-division sequence for the LTWL major or minor.
- Upper-division (twelve courses):
- six courses in a regional or single-language literature,
to be taken in the original language(s) or in translation
- four courses focused on a topic or another regional or
single-language literature
- two courses in non-European and non-U.S. Literature; if
satisfied under group (a) or group (b), any other two literature
courses may be substituted.
- Three courses in a secondary literature, that is, a literature
written and taught in a language different from that of the primary
literature. At least one of these courses must be upper- division.
Upper-division courses taken to satisfy the secondary literature
requirement may be counted as part of the twelve upper- division
courses for the major and may, where appropriate, be applied to
requirements in Group 2 or 3. Students should see an adviser when
selecting specific courses that will be taken to satisfy this
requirement. Special studies courses (198s and 199s) and courses
in foreign literatures taught in translation do not apply to the
secondary literature requirement. See The Major in Literature,
above, for applicable lower-division courses.
At least two of the required twelve upper- division courses
must be in literature written before 1850. No more than four courses
in Lit/Writing may be taken as part of the world literatures major,
and these will generally apply to Group 2.b.
Courses formerly listed under General Literature were renumbered
effective fall 1998 under the following subject headings:
LTAFAfrican Literatures
LTAMLiterature of the Americas
LTEAEast Asian Literatures
LTEUEuropean and Eurasian Literatures
LTNENear Eastern Literatures
LTWLWorld Literatures (courses or sequences which do not
belong to a single linguistic or regional grouping)
The Pre-Writing Major
Until they are admitted to the writing major, students may indicate
their interest in writing by declaring a pre-writing major using
the prewriting major code (LT01). Admission to the writing major
will be determined by evaluation of each students performance
in the LTWR 8A/8B/8C sequence.
Normally, students are expected to achieve a grade of B or better
in each of these courses to ensure their eligibility for declaring
the major.
Primary Concentration in Writing
The writing major is designed to provide direct experience in writing
fiction, nonfiction, and poetry as well as engage the student writer
in both the world of writing culturepublic readings,
publication, and the mediaand literary theory and practical
critique. An indispensable feature of this program is that it engages
students with one anothers work, both critically and communally.
Writing majors will move through a sequence of courses within (and
between) genres in order to develop their own style and confidence
in the work of writing and critique. Students who are interested
in teaching writing will find this major an opportunity both for
writing extensively and dealing critically with the act of written
composition. Students must complete the sequence LTWR 8A-B-C prior
to declaring a major in Literature/Writing. The major requirements
are as follows:
- Any of the following literature sequences:
- LTWL 4A-B-C-D-F-Many three courses in the sequence
(Fiction and Film in Twentieth-Century Societies)
- LTWL 19A-B-C (Introduction to the Ancient Greeks and Romans)
- LTEN 21 and 22, plus one course chosen from LTEN 23, 25,
26, 27, 28, and 29.
- TWS 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26-any three courses (Third World
Literatures)
- Twelve upper-division courses:
- Six upper-division courses in Lit/Writing from the writing
workshop sequence (LTWR 100129). These workshops may
be repeated for credit (see course listing for number of times
workshops may be repeated), but the requirement should show
a range of writing experience in at least two major writing
types. No other courses may be substituted for this basic
requirement of six upper-division workshops.
- One course from the group numbered Lit/Writing 140148.
- Five upper-division electives chosen from Department of
Literature offerings.
- Three courses in a secondary literature, that is, a literature
written and taught in a language other than English. At least
one of these courses must be upper-division. Students should see
an adviser when selecting specific courses that will be taken
to satisfy this requirement. Special studies courses (198s and
199s) and courses in foreign literatures which are taught in English
translation do not apply to the secondary literature requirement.
See The Major in Literature, above, for applicable lower-division
courses.
Double Major in Literature/Writing and a Subject outside Literature
Students who wish to major both in Literature/ Writing and in a
department other than the Department of Literature must fulfill
all requirements for the writing major as described above. Students
must submit a double major petition for approval by the participating
departments and the students provost office.
Double Major within the Department of Literature in Literature/Writing
and Another Literature
Students who wish to major both in literature/ writing and in literature
(any section) should see the department for information regarding
appropriate double major requirements. Generally, all requirements
for each major must be completed, though the secondary literature
and two upper-division courses, where appropriate, may overlap from
one major to the other.
Students must submit a double major petition for approval by
the department and the student’s provost office. The Minor in Literature
The department offers a wide range of possibilities for noncontiguous
minors. The options include courses in a single regional or national
literature, courses in more than one literature, and a combination
of language and literature courses. The minors require seven courses. All courses taken to complete
a literature minor must be taken for a letter grade. No grade
below C is acceptable.
Please see the department undergraduate office for specific minor
requirements.
A minor
in literature will consist of seven courses as described below.
French, German, Greek, Italian, Latin, Russian, or Spanish Literature:
seven courses, at least four of which must be upper-division in
the same literature.
Literatures in English, Literatures of the World, and Literature/Writing:
seven courses, at least five of which must be upper-division.
Lower-division courses applicable toward minors:
EnglishLTEN 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 60
FrenchLTFR 2A-B-C, 50
GermanLTGM 2A-B-C
GreekLTGK 1, 2, 3
HebrewJUDA 1, 2, 3 (see Judaic Studies)
ItalianLTIT 2A-B, 50
LatinLTLA 1, 2, 3
RussianLTRU 2A-B-C
SpanishLTSP 2A-B-C-D, 50A-B-C
WritingLTWR 8A-B-C
Literatures of the WorldSeven literature courses, at least
five of which must be upper- divisionusually 1) a two- or
three-course lower-division sequence and 2) five upper-division
courses with a single unifying
theme. As of fall 2003, students may use either the Revelle College
Humanities sequence (HUM 1–5) or Eleanor Roosevelt College’s
Making of the Modern World (MMW 1–6) to satisfy the lower-division
sequence for the LTWL major or minor.
Writing MinorSeven courses, at least five of which must
be upper-division. The minimum of five upper-division courses
must
cover at least two major writing genres, with course work chosen
from writing courses numbered 100 through 148.
Please see the department for further information and specifics
regarding minors in literature.
The Graduate Program
Doctoral Degree Program
The department offers a single Ph.D. in literature with concentrations
in any of the fields in which members of the department do research
(see below). The C.Phil. (candidate in philosophy) is conferred
upon all students who pass the qualifying examination and are advanced
to candidacy. Ph.D. students in the doctoral program may also qualify
for the M.A. upon completion of their qualifying examinations.
Preparation
The following are requirements for admission to graduate study
in literature:
- A baccalaureate or a masters degree with a major in one
of the literatures offered by the department, or in another field
approved by the departmental committee on graduate studies.
- Satisfactory scores on the Graduate Record Examination achieved
within the past three calendar years. The Subject Test is not
required.
- Competence in reading, understanding, and interpreting both
literary and critical texts in a second language, and—when
appropriate—ability to follow seminar discussions or lectures
in a second or third language.
Completed applications and supporting materials must be received
by the deadline posted on our Web site: http://literature.ucsd.edu,
for admission to the following fall quarter. Those planning to apply
should take the Graduate Record Examination far enough in advance
so that the scores will be available to the admissions committee
in January.
Please refer to our Web site: http://literature.ucsd.edu for
specific guidelines. Course of Study
Formal study begins with a first-year, three-quarter introductory
sequence (Literature/ Theory 200A-B-C) having an interdisciplinary
and theoretical emphasis. During the first three years, the course
of study will include at least four seminars in one literature and
two in another (students in comparative literature must take at
least one seminar or upper-division undergraduate course in a third
literature); at least four seminars drawn from offerings in literary
theory, the second or a third literature, cultural studies, comparative
literature, or composition studies; and five additional seminars
open entirely to the students choice (four for students in
comparative literature). Such open seminars should generally
be related to the intended dissertation field. At most, two seminars
in other disciplines may be substituted for any of the latter group,
with the advisers permission. Students must also fulfill a
historical breadth requirement by completing two seminars dealing
with texts or cultural practices prior to 1800. For students with
approved M.A. degrees the initial three-year sequence may be reduced
somewhat, depending on the departments criteria for transferring
credits and on the students plans for doctoral study.
Students in comparative literature must take four of the above-described
seminars in comparative literature or in other sections, provided
that they be clearly comparative in nature. Comparative literature
seminars taken for Literature 1, 2, or 3 must be substantially focused
upon the relevant language and deal with materials in the original.
Students who wish to take these courses in a literature for which
seminars are not regularly offered in the Department of Literature
may substitute 298s or undergraduate courses enhanced by additional
assignments. To do so, however, students must demonstrate through
prior course work that they have already attained graduate-level
competency in the literature and language in question and they must
obtain approval from the comparative literature graduate adviser
and the director of Graduate Studies.
In the sixth quarter, students may register for one four-unit independent
study course to prepare reading lists for the subject-area qualifying
examinations. The third year is spent in taking seminars and in
preparing for the qualifying examinations. During this year, students
may register for one four-unit independent study course in which
they work on the long paper required for the qualifying examinations.
The qualifying examination is usually taken during the ninth quarter
of enrollment. It must be completed by the end of the tenth quarter.
The fourth and fifth years will be devoted to preparation of the
dissertation
Students may write dissertations in any of the fields in which
members of the department do research. These fields include English,
American, French, German, biblical Hebrew, Italian, Greek, Latin,
Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Chicano, Asian-American, and
African-American literature, comparative literature, literary theory,
womens studies, cultural studies, early modern studies, and
composition studies.
Specialty in Composition Theory, Research, and Practice
The Department of Literature offers special studies to graduate
students who wish to concentrate on composition theory, research,
and practice. The composition subspecialty is an interdisciplinary
course of study that requires students to work with faculty both
in the department and across the university. The department regularly
offers graduate seminars taught by faculty in composition, along
with a variety of seminars on history, theory, cultural studies,
and literatures in English of special interest to students in composition.
Students in special studies in composition take two research methods
courses outside the department on topics such as field work, historiography,
or research design in the human sciences to qualify them to conduct
the research for their dissertations. Students are also encouraged
to apply to teach in one of the five college undergraduate writing
programs on campus, to see for themselves how classroom and administrative
practice intersect with theory and research.
Language Requirements
Graduate students in literature are required to develop the ability
to read literary and secondary texts andwhen appropriateto
follow seminar discussions or lectures in a second language, a language
other than the one in which the literature of their intended specialization
is written. To satisfy this requirement students must demonstrate
language proficiency and completion of two seminars in the literature
of the second language. With the approval of the director of Graduate
Studies, students may satisfy the language requirement by substituting
for a seminar an upper-division undergraduate course enhanced by
additional assignments, and which must be completed with the grade
of A. This is normally done only when there is no seminar offered
in the chosen language. Students must pass an examination in reading,
interpretation, and translation in each of the two courses taken
to satisfy the second language requirement. The language requirements
must be satisfied by the end of the third year of study.
Doctoral students specializing in comparative literature require
knowledge in depth of two foreign languages. Knowledge in
depth means the ability to attend graduate seminars given
in the original language (or seminars where the texts are read in
the original language). Students must demonstrate this ability by
enrolling in such seminars or, where this is not possible, by taking
enhanced upper-division courses. If upper- division courses are
not available, students may take guided independent study in the
language in question.
The M.A. program in comparative literature requires knowledge in
depth of one foreign language.
Advancement to Candidacy
No later than the first quarter of the third year, the student
should choose a Ph.D. adviser, who will, in consultation with the
student, form a qualifying examination committee. The student and
the qualifying examination committee will jointly determine the
nature of the long research paper, (approximately 30 pages) and
the two areas of specialization upon which the student will be examined
in writing. After satisfactory completion of the paper and the written
examinations, the student will take a two-hour oral doctoral examination.
On passing the oral examination, the student is declared eligible
for advancement to candidacy for the Ph.D. The C. Phil. degree is
conferred on those so advanced. Thereupon, a doctoral dissertation
is written. This work is defended in a traditional final examination.
Teaching
The department requires that each Ph.D. student do some apprentice
teaching before the completion of the degree; the minimum amount
required is equivalent to the duties expected of a half-time teaching
assistant for three academic quarters. This teaching involves conducting,
with the guidance and support of a supervising professor, discussion
sections and related activities in a variety of freshman and sophomore
courses. Academic credit is granted for the training given under
the apprentice teaching program.
Grading
The only grading option for literature graduate courses is Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
(S/U). Students receive written evaluations of their performance
in seminars. Upper-division undergraduate courses must be taken
for a letter grade. Students must receive a grade of A to maintain
acceptable graduate status and continuation of funding.
Departmental Ph.D. Time Limit Policies
Students must be advanced to candidacy by the tenth quarter of
study. Departmental normative time is five years. Total registered
time at UCSD cannot exceed eight years.
Financial Support
Ph.D. students entering the program with a B.A. may be supported
(either by employment or fellowships) for five years. Students who
have an M.A. and have been given transfer credit may be supported
for four years. Such support depends upon the funds available, the
number of students eligible, and the rate of progress.
Masters Degree Program
The masters degree program is intended to meet the needs
of several groups: (1) persons interested in possibly applying later,
at UCSD or elsewhere, for admission to a Ph.D. program and wishing
to strengthen their preparation for such a program; (2) persons
seeking a masters degree only, for reasons of professional
development or cultural enrichment; and (3) graduate students who
have been admitted to the Ph.D. Program and who decide to qualify
also for a masters degree. The M.A. degree is currently available
in five fields: literatures in English, French, German, Spanish,
and Comparative literature. Note: The department does
not offer financial support for M.A. candidates. It is possible,
in cases of full-time employment or other compelling reasons, to
apply for permission to enroll on a part-time basis.
Completed applications and supporting materials must be received
by the deadline indicated in the departments Web site for
admission to the following fall quarter. Those planning to apply
should take the Graduate Record Examination far enough in advance
so that the scores will be available to the admissions committee
in January.
The requirements for the M.A. degree are a total of thirty-six
units. Included must be the following:
- Twenty units of graduate seminars, including Literature/Theory
201, which is normally taken during a students first quarter
in the program.
- Eight additional units of graduate seminars. Normally, M.A.
students should take graduate seminars. If no seminars are available
in the students area of specialization (defined as Literatures
in English, Literatures in French, etc.), students may take an
enhanced upper-division course in place of a seminar. Students
may take ONE guided independent study (298) to fulfill requirements
in this category, with the advisers permission.
- For the M.A. in Literatures in English, Spanish, French, and
German, students will be required to complete a minimum of sixteen
units of course work in the specific literature, read in its original
language, in which they plan to receive their degree. Students
may take enhanced upper-division courses or, in exceptional circumstances,
on guided independent study to complete this requirement if no
graduate seminars are available in the language in question. For
the M.A. in comparative literature students will be required to
complete a minimum of twelve units of course work in one literature
of concentration. Comparative literature seminars are recommended
when their focus is substantially upon the literature in question
and they deal with materials in the original language.
- Language Requirement: Four units of literature in a language
other than that of the students principal concentration.
For students in French, German, Spanish and literatures in English,
this course may be taken either in the original language or in
translation, and it may be used toward fulfilling the requirements
listed under items 1 and 2 above. A graduate seminar in English
or American literature may be used to fulfill this requirement
by students working toward an M.A. degree in French, German, or
Spanish. An enhanced upper-division course in Literatures of the
World may be taken to satisfy this requirement as long as its
principal readings were originally written in a language other
than that of their principal concentration. For the M.A. in comparative
literature students must take either eight units of seminar work
in the second literature (other than the literature of concentration)
or four units of seminar work in a second literature and four
units of seminar or enhanced upper-division course in a third
literature. Texts or other materials must be dealt with in the
original languages. Comparative literature seminars are recommended
when their focus is substantially upon the literature in question
and they deal with materials in the original language.
- For the M.A. in comparative literature students must take at
least one seminar in comparative literature or in another section,
if the seminar is clearly comparative in nature. This requirement
can be satisfied by a course taken for item 3 or item 4 above.
Students wishing to take courses for requirements 3 or 4 above
in a literature for which seminars are not regularly offered in
the Department of Literature may substitute upper-division undergraduate
courses enhanced by additional assignments or, in exceptional
cases, may take 298s. To do so, however, students must demonstrate
through prior course work that they have already attained graduate-level
competency in the literature and language in question and they
must obtain approval from the comparative literature graduate
adviser. Such 298s and upper-division courses should not exceed
a total of two courses within a students program unless
demonstrably necessary.
- Eight units of guided research 295, culminating in an acceptable
masters thesis or masters examination.
The only grading option for literature graduate courses is Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
(S/U). Students receive written evaluations of their performance.
Upper-division undergraduate courses must be taken for a letter
grade. Students must receive a grade of A to maintain acceptable
graduate status and continuation of funding.
Literature
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