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Comparative Literature
School of Humanities & Sciences
  • PhD
  • PhD Minor
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  • Doctor of Philosophy
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  1. Home
  2. Programs
  3. Graduate
  4. Comparative Literature
  5. Doctor of Philosophy

Doctor of Philosophy

PhD
  • Comparative Literature opens in a new tab
Program Minimum Units
135 Units
University Minimum Units
135 Units
Program Length
6 Years
Interests
International Relations, Literature & Culture, Writing, Languages
Academic Areas
Humanities & Arts, Law, Education

Overview

The Comparative Literature PhD program is designed for students with a broad linguistic background, a breadth of interest in different literatures, and curiosity about the problems of literary scholarship and theory (including the relation of literature to other disciplines). The program is designed to encourage familiarity with the major approaches to literary study prevailing today. The PhD program also provides pedagogical training and experience in teaching language and literature. 

This program is full-time. Doctoral students in the Comparative Literature PhD program are expected to maintain a significant physical presence on campus throughout their graduate studies. This ensures that students have access to advisors and mentors, libraries, and other resources that support timely progress towards completion of degree requirements. Additionally, being on campus ensures that students are part of the academic and campus community which supports continued professional development.

Requirements

Program Requirements

Required Courses

Complete all of the following requirements:
Required Courses

Required all years: Enrollment in COMPLIT 397 (Graduate Studies Colloquium) is required each quarter that the student is in the program from year 1 to graduation, including while on TGR Status, except when conducting research away from campus or on an approved leave of absence. Participation in the Colloquium is a part of each student’s annual review. 

Complete all of the following course(s):
COMPLIT 397

Graduate Studies Colloquium

1 Units
and
Required Courses
Complete all of the following course(s):
COMPLIT 346

Comparative Literature Pro-seminar

1-3 Units
COMPLIT 397

Graduate Studies Colloquium

1 Units
DLCL 301

The Learning and Teaching of Second Languages

3 Units
DLCL 369

Introduction to the Profession of Literary Studies

1-2 Units

Courses in Primary Field

At least six courses in the student’s primary field must be taken to ensure knowledge of the essential works in one national literature from its beginnings to the present.

Complementary Courses

At least four additional courses must be taken, with most of the reading in the original, in two different national literatures (i.e., two courses in each literature).

First-Year Colloquium

All first-year students participate in the Comparative Literature First-Year Colloquium, which takes place in mid-May. At the First-Year Colloquium, each student offers an oral presentation of 20-30 minutes on a literary text, followed by up to 30 minutes of discussion. The assessment is based on engagement with the text, the interpretive framework (theoretical, historical, etc.), and the quality of argument of the presentation. The First-Year Colloquium is a public event. A student whose performance is deemed insufficient may schedule a second presentation during the first week of the Autumn quarter of the second year. See the DLCL Graduate Handbook for more information.

Qualifying Paper

Students who succeed in the First Year Colloquium proceed to the second milestone: submission of a Qualifying Paper by May 1 of the second year. 

Prospectus Colloquium

The Prospectus Colloquium normally takes place the quarter after the University Oral Exam (winter quarter of year three). See the DLCL Graduate Handbook for details.



Teaching Experience

Although teaching is not a requirement for the degree, students may teach as part of the financial support commitment and their professional training.

Advancement to Candidacy

Students are expected to follow department qualifying procedures and apply for candidacy by the end of the second year in residence. In reviewing a student for admission to candidacy, the faculty considers a student’s academic progress, including but not limited to:

  • Demonstrated proficiency in three languages as defined in the handbook.

  • Performance in courses and completion of required coursework

  • Performance on departmental examinations and milestones, including the First Year-Colloquium presentation and the Qualifying Paper.

  • Completion of at least three units of work with each of four Stanford faculty members

Proficiency in languages will be formally assessed during graduate study and must be certified before admission to candidacy by examination administered through the Stanford Language Center.

In addition to successfully completing departmental requirements for years one and two, a student is only admitted to candidacy if the faculty makes the judgment that the student has the potential to complete the degree program requirements successfully. Candidacy is determined by faculty vote. Failure to be admitted to candidacy results in the student’s dismissal from the Ph.D. program.

University Oral Examination

The University Oral Examinations in Comparative Literature covers a literary period of about a century in three or more literatures with primary emphasis on a single national literature or, in occasional cases, two national literatures. The reading list, which should be determined through consultation with the examiners and the Department Director, chiefly covers the major literary texts of a period of approximately one hundred years, normally in three different language traditions, but may also include some studies of intellectual backgrounds and modern critical discussions of the period. Students are expected to complete this milestone by week 9 of the Autumn quarter of their third year of the program. See the Graduate Handbook for more information.

Dissertation

The dissertation may take different formats. The standard format in our field is a monograph comprising five chapters, including the introduction and conclusion. Depending on the topic and approach, other formats may be considered and should be discussed with the advisor as the project develops. In consultation with their advisor, students may elect to submit as a dissertation a collection of three to four published, or publishable, articles, together with an introduction. Students are expected to submit the dissertation by the end of their fifth year in the program.

Language Requirement

Students must demonstrate competence in three languages in total. 

One of these is the student’s native language. Students must achieve advanced proficiency in the second language. For the third language, intermediate proficiency is required. Language requirements must be satisfied by Spring of year two. 

One of the student’s three literatures/languages is usually designated as the primary field, the other two as secondary. However, some students may designate two primary literatures (by completing six or more graduate courses in that literature). See the DLCL Graduate Handbook for more information.

Proficiency in languages will be formally assessed during graduate study and must be certified before admission to candidacy by examination administered through the Stanford Language Center.