Program Overview
Arizona State University's PhD program in English Literature equips students with advanced analytical skills and research expertise through comprehensive coursework and personalized guidance. Graduates are prepared for careers in academia and diverse professional fields, leveraging their strong written and oral communication abilities and interdisciplinary knowledge.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
English (Literature) at Arizona State University
This PhD program in English Literature provides students with comprehensive training, exploring methodologies, pedagogies, and various research fields. The program fosters specialization through distinguished and diverse faculty expertise in literary criticism, cultural analysis, theory, interdisciplinary areas. Equipped with advanced analytical skills and written and oral communication, this intensive coursework prepares you for research-focused careers in academia.
Objectives
- Develop expertise in textual analysis methodologies.
- Learn effective teaching practices for a career in academia.
- Conduct independent scholarly research in the field of English.
- Prepare graduates for future careers within academia or diverse professional fields.
Outline:
Structure
This program requires Specific requirements include foreign language, theory courses like ENG 501 "Approaches to Research".
Content
Courses focus on specific areas within English literature: cultural, ethnic, gender studies; specific periods (before/after 1500 or 1660); historical and structural development; various genres. Students also acquire strong research abilities, learn to analyze complex materials, communicate effectively both written and orally, as well as conduct independent study.
- Semester 1: (Fall session): Requires students to enroll via ASU's registration and credit payment options. Courses likely to be in the 500 or 400 level, such as the "Literary Theory Intensive," a staple course for first and second year.
Additional modules (examples)
Literary criticism, textual analysis, historical and cultural context of literature, genre studies (e.g., poetry or drama), rhetoric and composition studies, postcolonial or Anglophone literatures. Students are also able to apply 12 credits from a chosen "secondary" field, such as history.
Teaching
- Intensive and personalized guidance in student's chosen research area(s) under expert faculty supervision and guidance.
- Small seminars focused on individual projects, enabling personalized instruction and interaction.
- Access to leading scholars and researchers.
Careers
Graduates are positioned for successful careers in higher education, research and writing. Additionally, skills acquired are highly valued across various sectors including:
- Finance/insurance
- Public service/defense
- Arts/entertainment
- Education
Potential Examples
Archivist, Art Director, Copywriter, Crime Investigator, Editor, Educator (various fields), Intelligence Analyst, Librarian, etc.
Other
- Program boasts an excellent graduate program ranking in U.S. News, highlighting its strong faculty, research and alumni placement success.
- Program graduates enjoy strong placement and successful careers as tenured professors at top-tier institutions like Stanford and Columbia.
Note:
- Admission, tuition, application requirements, deadlines etc. were omitted as these were out of scope of the prompt's request.
