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, and 50 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
secondary literature 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 and one in the secondary
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 a faculty 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
five stipulated categories; if one of the concentrations is Spanish,
upper-division courses must include LTSP 119AB, 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 together take an 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 students 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 students
transcript and diploma. A student from this program will also be recommended
for the Burckhardt Prize, which is 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, 29, 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
- LTCS 140, Subaltern Studies in Context or LTIT 150, 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.
Note: 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)
- 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-E-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 (Third World Literatures)
- Twelve upper-division courses:
- Six upper-division courses in Lit/Writing from the writing
workshop sequence (LTWR 100135). 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 140144.
- 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.
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. In all instances, the minors require
six or seven courses depending upon a students first quarter of
attendance at UCSD. 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.
For students entering winter quarter 1998 and thereafter, 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, 50, 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
General MinorFor students entering fall 1997 and earlier: six
Literature courses, at least three of which must be upper-division:
usually 1) a three-course lower-division sequence such as LTEN 17/18/19,
LTEN 21/22/23, LTFR 2A/2B/50, LTGN 19A/9B/19C, LTLA 1/2/3, LTSP 2A/2B/2C;
and 2) three or more upper-division courses, at least two of which must
be in a single national literature, taught either in the original language
or in translation. No more than one upper-division course in Literature/Writing
may be applied toward the general literature minor. Students should
see the general literature faculty adviser or the undergraduate staff
when planning a minor or program of concentration in general literature.
Literatures of the WorldFor students entering Winter 1998 and
thereafter: seven 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.
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 146.
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 for the 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.
- A complementary working knowledge of a second 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.
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.
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 or, in exceptional cases, by completing with the grade
of A two upper-division undergraduate courses given in the 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.
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. It is possible to take an
M.A. with specific emphasis; for example, students may take an M.A. in Spanish
with a special emphasis on bilingual discourse, or an M.A. in English with
a special emphasis on composition theory. A special emphasis in cultural
studies may be declared in combination with any M.A. degree. 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.
Literature
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