About PhD Program,
The aim of the Ph.D. program in French is to train scholars and university teachers of French language, literature, and culture in a thriving and diverse intellectual environment.
The academic structure of the program enables students to acquire a broad understanding of the whole field of French and Francophone studies as well as a secure grasp of their own field of concentration and prepares them to develop independently as scholars and teachers. Doctoral students will gain a solid knowledge of the foundations and evolutions of French and Francophone literature through diverse theoretical approaches and interdisciplinary areas.
Students accepted into the Ph.D. program enjoy financial support for five years, although readmission each year depends on satisfactory performance. They also hold part-time Assistantships in Instruction. Generous financial support is available for a wide array of professional training, including scholarly research, language learning, and conference presentations.
Applicants to the program should consult our own FAQs in addition to the appropriate sections of the Graduate School website(Link is external).
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
To qualify for graduate work in the department, the candidate must show evidence of extensive knowledge of French literature, enthusiasm and aptitude for research, and competence, both written and oral, in the language. A broad training in the humanities is advantageous.
In addition to educational background and language preparation, the department gives careful consideration to the candidate’s personal statement and writing sample, to letters of recommendation, and to standardized test scores.
The oral presentation, required of all first-year students at the end of the first term, consists of a brief critical reading of a literary text in French, followed by questioning related to the text. Students are allowed a choice from three texts. The presentation is given in French. Answers are to be given in the language in which they are asked.
PhD Funding Coverage,
Students are supported by graduate fellowships from their own department. Additional small grants may be available to help support research trips to Italian archives and libraries. To apply for a grant, email Carolina Mangone or Marie Basso. In addition, graduate students with sufficient language skills may have the opportunity to precept language courses in the Department of French and Italian.
Application Requirement,
Students are expected to demonstrate competence in Italian speaking, writing, and reading for admission, at which point a recommendation will be made for further Italian study as necessary.
- Italian language proficiency sufficient to conduct original research using Italian as a research tool
- Participation in 2-3 graduate courses that deal with Italian Studies OR Independent research on an Italian topic (could be a portion of a dissertation, conference papers, or published articles)
- Students are urged to participate in Italian Studies activities, which include lectures, works-in-progress talks and conferences
- The course of study is determined by students’ home department advisors in consultation with the director of the Program in Italian Studies.
Normally, the dissertation should center on a topic of significance in Italian language and culture. The dissertation proposal must be approved by the home department and the Italian Studies Committee, according to the timetable and requirements of the home department. A faculty member from the student’s home department will normally advise the dissertation, with at least one reader from the Italian Studies Committee.
An Italian Studies certificate may also be awarded to students whose dissertations, though outside Italian Studies, show exceptional knowledge and expertise in Italian Studies, as demonstrated in seminars, conference papers, or publications.
Application Deadline,
Dec 15, 2024
Application Fee,
Application Fee, $75
