Campuses:
This is archival data. This system was retired as of August 21, 2023 and the information on this page has not been updated since then. For current information, visit catalogs.umn.edu.
Twin Cities Campus
English Ph.D.English Language & Literature
College of Liberal Arts
Link to a list of faculty for this program.
Contact Information
Department of English Language and Literature, 207 Lind Hall, 207 Church Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612-625-3882; fax: 612-624-8228)
Email:
gradeng@umn.edu
Website: http://english.cla.umn.edu
Along with the program-specific requirements listed below, please read the
General Information section of
this
website for requirements that apply to all major fields.
Over the past 20 years, the field of English studies has changed dramatically from a discipline concerned with studying the literary works produced by English speakers in Britain and the United States to encompass writings in English from around the globe. The concerns of literary scholars have broadened to include not only textual analyses but also cultural, social, political, and economic contexts. The field of literature itself now encompasses not only the traditional genres of poetry, prose (fiction and belles-lettres), and drama, but also extra-literary discourses: popular culture, film, television, legal documents, conduct books, and manifestos. The Department of English has been in the forefront of interdisciplinary projects, thanks to the efforts of a faculty committed to research in American studies, medieval studies, feminist studies, film studies, and cultural studies. At the same time, the department maintains the core concerns of the discipline—the traditional study of the literatures and languages in English—as well as develops writers for the present and future through the master of fine arts in creative writing degree. The department is engaged in two simultaneous projects: to preserve the core curriculum and to re-imagine its future shape.
Course requirements for the PhD program are broadly defined, allowing the student to shape a personal program of study. The English program encourages and supports interdisciplinary work.
Program Delivery
Prerequisites for Admission
The preferred undergraduate GPA for admittance to the program
is 3.50.
Other requirements to be completed before admission:
A minimum of four courses in English, three of which must be at the upper division level, is required. The courses should be widely distributed.
Special Application Requirements:
Required application materials include three letters of recommendation; a short essay explaining scholarly, professional, and personal goals and reason(s) for choosing the University of Minnesota; and a writing sample, such as a course paper. Candidates are admitted fall semester only; all materials must be received by December 1st.
International applicants must submit score(s) from one of the following tests:
Key to test
abbreviations
(TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB).
For an online application or for more information about graduate education admissions, see the
General Information section of this
website.
Program Requirements
27 to 33
credits are required in the major.
6 to 12 credits are required outside the major. 24 thesis credits are required.
This program may be completed with a minor.
Use of 4xxx courses toward program requirements is permitted under certain conditions with adviser approval.
Language Requirement: Rdg knowledge of 2 languages, or proficiency in 1
A minimum GPA of 3.00
is required for students to remain in good standing.
At least 4 semesters must be completed
before filing a Degree Program Form.
Major Electives (21 to 27 credits)
Select at least 12 credits from the chosen emphasis area, plus 9 credits from 3 categories other than the emphasis area, to meet the 21-credit requirement. Up to 6 additional credits from this list may be applied to the outside coursework requirement. All courses must be selected in consultation with the advisor.
ENGL 5020 - Studies in Narrative
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 5040 - Theories of Film
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 5090 - Readings in Special Subjects
(1.0-4.0 cr)
ENGL 5110 - Medieval Literatures and Cultures: Intro to Medieval Studies
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 5121 - Readings in Early Modern Literature and Culture
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 5140 - Readings in 18th Century Literature and Culture
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 5150 - Readings in 19th-Century Literature and Culture
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 5170 - Readings in 20th-Century Literature and Culture
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 5300 - Readings in American Minority Literature
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 5501 - Origins of Cultural Studies
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 5510 - Readings in Criticism and Theory
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 5593 - The African-American Novel
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 5597 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 5701 - Great River Review
(4.0 cr)
ENGL 5743 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 5790 - Topics in Rhetoric, Composition, and Language
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 5805 - Writing for Publication
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 5992 - Directed Readings, Study, or Research
(1.0-3.0 cr)
ENGL 8090 - Seminar in Special Subjects
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 8110 - Seminar: Medieval Literature and Culture
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 8120 - Seminar in Early Modern Literature and Culture
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 8140 - Seminar in 18th Century Literature and Culture
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 8150 - Seminar in Shakespeare
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 8170 - Seminar in 19th-Century British Literature and Culture
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 8180 - Seminar in 20th-Century British Literature and Culture
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 8190 - Seminar in 20th-Century Anglophone Literatures and Cultures
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 8200 - Seminar in American Literature
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 8290 - Topics, Figures, and Themes in American Literature
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 8300 - Seminar in American Minority Literature
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 8400 - Seminar in Post-Colonial Literature, Culture, and Theory
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 8510 - Studies in Criticism and Theory
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 8520 - Seminar: Cultural Theory and Practice
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 8530 - Seminar in Feminist Criticism
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 8600 - Seminar in Language, Rhetoric, Literacy, and Composition
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 8610 - Seminar in Language and Discourse Studies
(3.0 cr)
ENGL 8992 - Directed Reading in Language, Literature, Culture, Rhetoric, Composition, or Creative Writing
(1.0-9.0 cr)
Outside Coursework (6 to 12 Credits)
Select 12 credits from the following in consultation with the advisor. Students applying 6 Major Electives credits to this requirement must select at least 6 additional credits of outside coursework to complete the 12-credit requirement.
AFRO 5xxx
AFRO 8xxx
AMIN 5xxx
AMIN 8xxx
ARTH 5xxx
ARTH 8xxx
CI 5xxx
CI 8xxx
CL 8xxx
CSCL 5xxx
ENGW 5xxx
FREN 8110 - Topics in Early Medieval French Literature
(3.0 cr)
FREN 8114 - Troubadour Lyric and Old Occitan Language
(3.0 cr)
FREN 8230 - Critical Issues: Criticism and Thought
(3.0 cr)
GER 5xxx
GER 8xxx
GLOS 5403 - Human Rights Advocacy
(3.0 cr)
GLOS 5900 - Topics in Global Studies
(1.0-4.0 cr)
GWSS 5104 - Transnational Feminist Theory
(3.0 cr)
GWSS 8230 - Seminar: Cultural Criticism and Media Studies
(3.0 cr)
GWSS 8270 - Seminar: Theories of Body
(3.0 cr)
HIST 5xxx
HIST 8xxx
LAT 5xxx
LAT 8xxx
LAW 6702 - Legal History Workshop
(2.0 cr)
LAW 6718 - Immigration and Criminal Law: Immigration Consequences of Crimes and Criminalizing Migration
(2.0 cr)
LAW 6886 - International Human Rights Law
(3.0 cr)
SCAN 5xxx
TH 5xxx
TH 8xxx
WRIT 5531 - Introduction to Writing Theory and Pedagogies
(3.0 cr)
WRIT 5671 - Visual Rhetoric
(3.0 cr)
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Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 1.0 -3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 6.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 1.0 -4.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | EngL 3110/EngL 5110 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | EngL 3300/EngL 3300H/EngL 5300 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CL 5401/CSDS 5401/CSCL 5401/En |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Afro 3593/Afro 5593/EngL 3593/ |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | EngL 4701/ 5701/EngW 5701 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 1.0 -3.0 [max 45.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 -9.0 [max 15.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 9.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | GloS 5403/Law 6058 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 1.0 -4.0 [max 12.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 6.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 6.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 -24.0 [max 100.0] |
Grading Basis: | No Grade |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |