StudyQA — PhD: Comparative Literature — University of Western Ontario

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Description Contents Requirements Funding

Western’s program in Comparative Literature has recognized strengths in various literatures (especially – but not limited to – American, Canadian, Classical, English, French & Francophone, German, Hindi, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian and Spanish). What distinguishes it from similar programs across the country (Toronto, Alberta, Montreal...) is the insistent focus on critical theory, postcolonial literature, East-West cultural relationships and inter-media studies (particularly visual art and film). Many of those teaching in the program are well established scholars of Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque and 18-20th-century cultures. While our Ph.D. candidates are usually employed as Teaching Assistants, some of them may be asked to offer courses of their own design in Western’s undergraduate Comparative Literature and Culture program.

A written examinations (“area examination”) in areas of literary history or in literary theory to be selected in consultation with the Program Chair.
The second examination requires students to write and orally defend a field paper (30-40 pages), or an academic article (c. 20 pages) ready to be submitted for publication, which deals in depth with a topic adjacent to their thesis project. The Oral defense of the field paper will have a structure similar to that of a thesis defense, comprising a committee of three examiners and a chair of the examination. The defense usually takes 1-11/2 hours.
The third (“thesis prospectus examination”) is an oral examination, based on a written prospectus and bibliography assembled by the candidate, in the area of the candidate’s proposed doctoral dissertation. It is expected that this prospectus (20-30 pages, which should include a discussion of the main argument(s) of the dissertation and a sketch of the chapter structure) and bibliography will be prepared in consultation with the dissertation supervisor(s), who must be identified before work on the area of concentration can begin. The supervisor(s) must have membership in the core faculty of the Comparative Literature program.
Doctoral Dissertation
In addition to the course work, comprehensives, and the dissertation, each PhD student is encouraged to participate both in the fall-term Comparative Literature Research Forum, in the winter-term graduate thesis seminars, in which MA students present and discuss their research projects, and in the Annual Graduate Student Conference.

Requirements

A minimum average of A- (80%) in a Master's degree.
Proficiency in two languages in addition to English, at a level sufficient to do graduate-level work on texts in those languages.
A sample of written work in English (no less than 10 pages, no more than 20 pages)
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Minimum acceptable score is 550 for the paper and pencil version, 213 for the computer version, or 86 for the internet version with no individual score below 20. [Western's TOEFL ID is 0984].
The International English Language Testing Service (IELTS). Minimum acceptable score is 6 out of 9.
CultureWorks. The requirement is successful completion of the High-Advanced level.
Online Application
References. We will email your referees within 24 hours of entering or updating your reference information. Each reference will be collected by Western and distributed alongside your application once it arrives. No paper reference letters are required.
Academic History. We ask that you supply Western with a listing of all post‐secondary schools you have attended.
Transcripts
Letters of reference