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 one course in a period before 1700 and one course in a period from 1700 to 1900. In addition to the graded coursework, students are expected to complete Introduction to Literary Research (ENGL 8800 ).
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.
Concentration in World Religions, World Literatures
In tandem with the standard requirements for the master’s degree, students are expected to complete the three-credit course Introduction to World Religions, World Literatures; three semesters of a one-credit Proseminar in World Religions, World Literatures; a minimum of six credits in a single religious tradition; a minimum of six credits in the literature of a single language community (either in one historical period or two consecutive historical periods) or in the literature of single pair of language communities within one historical period; and a minimum of three credits that involve the reading of scriptural texts. A roster of eligible courses is approved by the faculty advisory committee for the concentration in World Religions, World Literatures, and additional courses may be approved by the student’s advisor.
Concentration in Teaching Literature and Writing
In tandem with the standard requirements for the master’s degree, students are expected to complete Writing Pedagogy ( ENGL 8900 ), one course in Literary Pedagogy (ENGL 5900 or an approved equivalent), and a thesis on pedagogy.
In addition, students are expected to complete a pedagogy practicum through two semester-length appointments as a graduate teaching assistant.
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 ENGL 8800 (Introduction to Literary Research) during the first semester, ENGL 8900 (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 one addresses a period before 1700, one addresses a period from 1700 to 1900, 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. Proficiency is demonstrated by passing an 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), or by passing at the mastery level an 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. Graduate classes in a foreign language taken to satisfy the language requirement may also be counted toward completion of the course requirements if approved in advance by the Director of Graduate Studies. 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.
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 the end of the sixth semester of study.
By the end of the ninth semester of study, students are expected to give a public presentation of a portion of the dissertation at a forum open to members of the department.
Students are expected to write and defend a dissertation.
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