English Ph.D.

Over the past 20 years, the field of English studies has changed dramatically from a discipline concerned with studying the literary works produced by English speakers in Britain and the United States to encompass writings in English from around the globe. The concerns of literary scholars have broadened to include not only textual analyses but also cultural, social, political, and economic contexts. The field of literature itself now encompasses not only the traditional genres of poetry, prose (fiction and belles-lettres), and drama, but also extra-literary discourses: popular culture, film, television, legal documents, conduct books, and manifestos. The Department of English has been in the forefront of interdisciplinary projects, thanks to the efforts of a faculty committed to research in American studies, medieval studies, feminist studies, film studies, and cultural studies. At the same time, the department maintains the core concerns of the discipline, the traditional study of the literatures and languages in English, as well as develops writers for the present and future through the master of fine arts in creative writing degree. The department is engaged in two simultaneous projects: to preserve the core curriculum and to re-imagine its future shape.

Course requirements for the PhD program are broadly defined, allowing the student to shape a personal program of study. The English program encourages and supports interdisciplinary work.