PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Graduate Program
The M.A. and Ph.D. programs provide rigorous professional training in
Slavic Languages and Literatures in a supportive and interdisciplinary
atmosphere. Students study to become generalists in Slavic Languages and
Literatures, while at the same time choosing from a variety of more specific
areas within the broader field. Many students also take advantage of close
ties with specialists in Russian History, Linguistics, Comparative Literature,
Cinema & Media Studies, and Anthropology. The Department's academic
program, faculty-student mentoring, training in language pedagogy, and
support for early publications have consistently produced fine scholars
who have succeeded in the highly competitive academic job market.
Russian Literature
Courses in Russian literature are taught by internationally renowned
faculty with a broad variety of specializations, from medieval Slavic
literature to the classic Russian novel to current writing in Russia.
Poetry is a particular strength, with detailed coverage of great Russian
poetry from Lomonosov, Pushkin, and Akhmatova to Brodsky and beyond. Another
strength is Russian intellectual history, from the Slavophiles to Bakhtin.
Our offerings also include coverage of contemporary theory and non-verbal
media.
Slavic Linguistics and Languages
In addition to general courses and concentrations in East, West, and
South Slavic Linguistics, the Department has tracks in Balkan Linguistics
and Baltic Linguistics. Language and linguistics-oriented courses are
available in Russian, Ukrainian, Czech, Polish, Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian,
Macedonian, and Bulgarian as well as Albanian, Georgian, Lak, Lithuanian,
and Romani. Other Slavic, Balkan, and Baltic languages are also covered
in various linguistics courses. The option to pursue a joint degree in
the Department of Linguistics broadens the opportunities for students
in Slavic Linguistics.
Interdisciplinary Studies
This cutting-edge program offers broad preparation in the relationships
among the visual arts, cinema, media, folk and popular culture, as well
as Slavic, Balkan, and Baltic languages and literatures. The main thrust
of the program is the study of the history and criticism of interdisciplinary
approaches to literature and the visual arts. Other emphases include anthropology,
language, and intellectual history.
Polish and Czech Studies
Since its creation in 1962, the Department's Polish Studies Program has
served as one of the eminent academic centers for Polish literature, culture,
and linguistics in the United States. The program offers M.A. and Ph.D.
degrees in Polish literature and linguistics. The Department also offers
students the opportunity to specialize in Czech language and literature.
Support for Czech and Slovak language study is provided by annual awards
from the Department's Procházka Funds.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
The following is an abbreviated account of department requirements.
Literature:
MA: Nine quarter courses (including: Proseminar in Literary Theory
and Methods; Introduction to Slavic Linguistics; and at least three courses
in the literature of specialization) and a comprehensive examination in
the literature of specialization, based on a department reading list.
This exam also serves as a Qualifying Examination for admission to the
Ph.D. program. Students who intend to go on to the Ph.D. degree are encouraged
to obtain preparation in a second Slavic language.
PhD: In addition to the courses required at the Master's level,
students must take one course in the history of their language of specialization
and one course in its structure. Remaining required courses will be those
needed to prepare for the comprehensive examination. Before taking the
comprehensive examination, students in literature must demonstrate a reading
knowledge of one Slavic language in addition to their language of specialization;
they must also have successfully completed at least one advanced seminar.
The comprehensive examination is given in the following areas: (1) History
of the literature in the principal language of specialization and (2)
the literature of the second Slavic language or Slavic Linguistics. In
exceptional circumstances the department will consider petitions to substitute
for this requirement another field which is shown to be particularly relevant
to the student’s plan of work.
Linguistics:
MA: Nine quarter courses (including: Introduction to Slavic Linguistics;
Structure of the major Slavic language; History of the major Slavic language,
or Comparative Slavic Phonology; and two courses in literature or interdisciplinary
studies), a demonstrated proficiency in reading a second Slavic language
(this second requirement may be met by satisfactorily completing all work
of a one-year language course), and a comprehensive examination based
on a departmental reading list. This exam serves also as a Qualifying
Examination for admission to the Ph.D. program.
PhD: In addition to Slavic Linguistics, students may specialize
in Balto-Slavic or Balkan linguistics and can petition for a joint degree
with the Department of Linguistics. Students must take one course beyond
the two required for the M.A in a Slavic literature or interdisciplinary
studies. Students will also be expected to demonstrate a knowledge of
the principles of general linguistics. Successful passing of the Linguistics
Department M.A. core courses will meet this requirement. Students may
substitute a sequence of three additional courses in a Slavic literature
or in interdisciplinary studies for the requirement in general linguistics.
Students in Slavic linguistics will be required to demonstrate a reading
knowledge of two additional Slavic languages, so that East, West, and
South Slavic languages are all represented. Students with a field in Balkan
linguistics or Baltic linguistics may substitute a non-Slavic Balkan or
Baltic language for one of the Slavic languages. Remaining required courses
will be those needed to prepare for the comprehensive examination. The
comprehensive examination is given in the following areas: (1) Comparative
Slavic and history and structure of the second Slavic language, or for
students with special programs, a Baltic or Balkan language. (2) The history
and structure of the major Slavic languages.
Interdisciplinary Studies:
MA: Nine quarter courses (including: Introduction to Slavic and
East European Arts and Cultures (proseminar); Words and Images: Introduction
to Interdisciplinary Approaches; and three additional courses in a Slavic
or East European Literature, art and/or culture). In consultation with
the program advisor, students will submit an MA paper (ordinarily based
on a term-paper) in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree.
The paper also serves as a Qualifying Paper for admission to the Ph.D.
program.
PhD: Students must develop a plan of study by the end of their
first year of study, to be approved by their M.A. Paper Committee, and
in addition to the courses required at the Master’s level must take
the following courses: one course in Slavic linguistics (i.e., Introduction
to Slavic Linguistics, or a course in the history or structure of a Slavic,
Balkan, or Baltic language); the advanced research seminar in Slavic and
East European literatures; five approved courses in Slavic or East European
arts and cultures; and a second Slavic Department language (1 year of
study or reading knowledge) The comprehensive examination is given in
the following manner. The field of the exams and their reading lists will
be determined in consultation with the examining committee. 1) The major
field examination, which covers the history of Slavic and East European
arts and cultures as it pertains to the area of the student’s dissertation
project. 2) Their minor field in Slavic and East European arts and cultures.
Requirements for all tracks:
MA: Reading knowledge of French or German, one quarter of Old
Church Slavonic, and a test for advanced proficiency in speaking and writing
the principal Slavic language.
PhD: Reading knowledge of both French and German. Each candidate
must write an acceptable dissertation that makes an original contribution
to the advancement of knowledge in the field.
Admissions/Financial Aid
The prerequisites for admission are a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent
and a knowledge of written and spoken Russian or of another Slavic language
in which the department offers advanced courses sufficient for graduate
work—usually equivalent to four years of college study. Entering
students are required to take a placement examination in their major Slavic
language and to make up any deficiency in their preparation.
Students with master’s degrees from other institutions will be required
to demonstrate that they have fulfilled the equivalent of the M.A. degree
requirements outlined above. Students who did not complete a Master's
in this Department in their proposed Ph.D. major field in literature or
linguistics will be required to pass a Qualifying Examination in the major
field. Students who did not complete a Master's in this Department in
their proposed Ph.D. major field in interdisciplinary studies will be
required to pass a Qualifying Examination or submit a Qualifying Paper
(at the discretion of the faculty) in the major field.
Financial Aid is offered on a merit basis. Financial aid packages vary
from tuition assistance to full tuition plus substantial stipends. Fellowships
awarded by the University primarily fall into three categories: Century
Fellowships (tuition + large stipend), University Unendowed Funds (tuition
+ smaller stipends), and Century Scholarships (tuition). After the first
year, students are considered for increases in financial aid and may be
eligible to work as course assistants and instructors. Foreign Language
and Area Studies Title VI Fellowships (FLAS) are also available. While
foreign students are equally eligible for University fellowships, U.S.
law restricts other financial opportunities. Students applying for a terminal
masters degree are not eligible for financial aid.
This text was last revised on 9/08/2003.
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