Foreign Language and Qualifying Exams

Before taking the qualifying exam, Ph.D. students must demonstrate competence in reading literary scholarship and criticism in a language other than English. The language is usually chosen for the relevance of scholarship published in that language to the student's primary field. The exam is given and graded by the Foreign Languages Department.

Qualifying Exam

The Ph.D. qualifying exam consists of two fields. The primary field is normally the student's area of concentration. The secondary field is selected for its relevance to the primary field. Both are normally chosen from the following list of fields:

• British: Medieval, Renaissance, Restoration and Eighteenth Century, Nineteenth Century, Since 1900.
• American: Before 1900, Since 1900.
• Critical Theory and the History of Criticism, the Novel, Poetry, and Drama are also recognized areas. Fields other than these may be chosen in consultation with the Director of Graduate Studies.
• The qualifying exam tests the student's ability to synthesize primary and secondary material studied in courses and independent reading. The exam evaluates knowledge of primary and secondary texts and mastery of scholarly and critical methods. While engaged in course work and independent study the student, in consultation with the field advisor, develops a reading list that forms the basis of the exams. Examiners understand that the reading list is exhaustive only with regard to primary texts. They assume that examinees have a broad knowledge of secondary texts, some of which may appear on the reading lists in the areas being examined.
• The qualifying exam is prepared by a five-member committee chaired by the field advisor and chosen in consultation with the student. The Department Chair formally appoints this committee on the basis of field expertise and/or availability. Ideally, the primary field is represented by three members, the secondary field by two members.
• The student and the committee decide which authors and works are to be covered in light of the student's primary and secondary fields and the area of the dissertation. The exams should take into account specific concentrations within the two fields that have been developed by the student in consultation with the field advisor.
• To accommodate the individualized exam and assist student progress through the program, Ph.D. qualifying exams are offered between September 30 and May 15, normally within two months of the student's request to take the exam.
• The qualifying exam requires a vote of 5-0 or 4-1 to pass. The exam is judged as a whole, considering its demonstrated knowledge of the subject matter, accuracy of detail, and coherence of argument.
• After the qualifying exam has been graded and the results reported to the Graduate School, students are encouraged to review their performance with the field advisor.