Slavic Languages and Literatures (PhD)

The doctorate in Slavic languages and literatures is designed to prepare students for a career of teaching and scholarship at the university level. It provides a thorough grounding in Russian literary and cultural history as well as in the theoretical perspectives current in the field. Elective course work, particularly at the upper level, allows students to take advantage of the department’s expertise in such additional areas as Russian art, Russian theater, and eastern European cinema. The linguistic component of the curriculum together with the experience as a teaching assistant in Russian language courses that many students gain also serves as preparation for positions involving language teaching. Depending on departmental offerings, further study in a second Slavic language and culture may also be possible.

Admission Requirements

An undergraduate major in Russian or its equivalent is a prerequisite for graduate work.

Degree Requirements

These degrees are under the jurisdiction of the Graduate School. Refer to the Requirements for Graduation page and the Graduate School section of this catalogue for general regulations. All courses applied toward the degrees must be courses accepted by the Graduate School.

Master of Arts in Slavic Languages and Literatures

The department does not accept applicants for a Master of Arts degree in Slavic Languages and Literatures. The MA degree is intended only as a transitional degree in the process of completing requirements for the PhD in Slavic Languages and Literatures. The MA portion of the program comprises 30 units.

First-year Review

The program conducts a thorough review of all first-year students at the end of the second semester. To be permitted to continue doctoral work, students must receive a satisfactory evaluation in this review.

Language Requirements

Non-native speakers of Russian must successfully complete 8 units (4 semesters) of SLL 500 Topics in Advanced Russian and pass a proficiency exam in the language.

Field Examination

A written exam based on a reading list, followed by an oral exam, must be successfully passed before the MA can be awarded. It is normally taken at the end of the semester in which MA course work is completed.

Required MA - Level Courses

SLL 500 Topics in Advanced Russian Units: 2
SLL 501 Proseminar in Russian Literature Units: 3
SLL 512 History of the Russian Language Units: 3
SLL 532 18th Century Russian Literature Units: 3
SLL 546 The Russian Novel Units: 3

Doctor of Philosophy in Slavic Languages and Literatures

Students pursuing the Ph.D. in Slavic Languages and Literatures are required to complete a minimum of 60 units of course work beyond the baccalaureate. In addition to the 30 units completed toward the M.A., students are required to complete the courses listed below; to demonstrate proficiency in spoken and written Russian; to demonstrate reading knowledge of French and German (in exceptional cases a second Slavic language may substitute for either French or German; instruction in Slavic languages other than Russian is not scheduled on a regular basis); to pass the qualifying examination, which must be taken after all course work has been completed; to complete and successfully defend a dissertation.

Required PhD - Level Courses

SLL 515 Russian Linguistics Units: 3
SLL 545 19th Century Russian Poetry Units: 3
SLL 550 Russian Modernism Units: 3
SLL 555 Soviet Literature I (1917–1953) Units: 3

Two of the following courses (6 units):

SLL 650 Seminar in Russian Literature Units: 3
SLL 660 Seminar on a Single Author or Work Units: 3
SLL 665 Seminar in Russian Culture and the Arts Units: 3

Additional Requirements

Plus electives, from SLL or relevant offerings in CSLC, COLT, ENGL, FREN, SPAN etc. as approved by the department. At least 9 of these units must be completed in SLL.

Dissertation Defense

An oral defense of the dissertation must be satisfactorily completed before the dissertation can be filed with the Graduate School.

Awarding of Degree

The degree of PhD in Slavic Languages and Literatures is conferred when all of the degree requirements have been completed satisfactorily.