English

Master of Arts

Of the 30 credits required for the degree, students are expected to complete a minimum of 24 credits of graded coursework at the 5000, 8000, or 9000 levels, including two courses in two different periods of literature before 1800 and one course in the history of criticism or literary theory. In addition, students are expected to complete Introduction to Literary Research (ENCR 8100).

Students are expected to complete a final exercise consisting of either an oral examination, a thesis or a pedagogy option.

Students are expected to demonstrate reading proficiency in a foreign language by passing a translation exam administered by an appropriate University department or achieving a grade of B or better in an intermediate or advanced course in the target language.

Doctor of Philosophy

Of the 72 credits required for the degree, students are expected to complete a minimum of 42 credits of graded coursework, including ENCR 8100 (Introduction to Literary Research) during the first semester, ENPG 8800 (Teaching Literature) during their second semester, ENGL 9995 (Dissertation Seminar) during the sixth semester, and twelve courses at the 5000, 8000, or 9000 level of which two address two different periods of literature before 1800 and one addresses the history of criticism or literary theory. Students are expected to audit two additional courses in their third year. Among the twelve courses and two audited courses, students are expected to enroll in three 9000-level seminars. Students specializing in medieval literature are expected to complete a minimum of one course in Old English.

Students are expected to demonstrate either mastery of one foreign language or proficiency in two languages before sitting for the doctoral oral examination. In addition, students specializing in medieval literature are expected to pass the Latin exam and, if demonstrating proficiency in two languages, undertake at least one medieval language in addition to Old English, including medieval Latin. Proficiency is demonstrated by passing a ninety-minute examination in the language that assesses the student’s ability to translate prose with the aid of a dictionary. Mastery is demonstrated by achieving passing grades in two semester-long graduate literature courses offered at the University of Virginia in the foreign language (not in translation). These credits may be counted toward completion of the course requirements if approved in advance by the Director of Graduate Studies. A student may also demonstrate mastery by passing a two-hour examination that assesses the student’s ability to read critical and literary texts in the foreign language with the aid of a dictionary and, for modern languages, to write discursively in that language.

By the conclusion of the fifth semester, students are expected to pass a two-hour qualifying oral examination consisting of one historical teaching and research field and one other teaching and research field, which may be a genre, a theoretical tradition, an historical field, or another professional specialization approved by the faculty.

Students are expected to obtain approval of a dissertation prospectus and complete all other requirements outlined above by October 1 or February 15 of the seventh semester of study.

Within one calendar year of the approval of the prospectus, students are expected to give a public presentation at a forum open to members of the department.

Students are expected to write and defend a dissertation.