Graduate Distribution Requirements

Distribution Requirements

Ph.D. students are required to fulfill the following distribution requirements through coursework:

• Pre-1700: One seminar covering literature, theory, or other writing from pre-1700;
• 1700-1900: One seminar covering literature, theory, or other writing from 1700-1900;
• Post-1900: One seminar covering literature, theory, other writing, or film from post-1900;
• Lit of the Americas: One seminar covering literature, theory, other writing, or film from the Americas (includes North, Central, and South Americas);
• Lit outside the Americas: One seminar covering literature, theory, other writing, or film from outside the Americas;
• Minority Lit: One seminar covering literature, theory, other writing, or film from or about minority perspectives (racial, ethnic, gender, sexuality, etc). 

A single course may be counted for up to 2 distribution requirements. For example, a course on race and empire in eighteenth-century British literature would fulfill any two of the following requirements: 1700-1900, Lit outside the Americas, Minority Lit.

In cases where there is uncertainty about the classification of a course, students should consult with the Grad Chair. 

M.A. and submat students do not need to fulfill the above distribution requirements.

7000-Level Requirement

Relative to other courses in the department, 7000-level seminars are narrower in conception and address more circumscribed problems, themes, objects, or methods. Instructors are encouraged to assign a full-length (20- to 25-page) academic essay as their final assignment.

All Ph.D. students are required to take at least five 7000-level courses in the first two years of the program.

All M.A. and submat students are required to take at least one 7000-level course.