Recruitment 2016-2017

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 November 1, 2015

    From: Adelaide M Russo, Phyllis M. Taylor Professor of French Studies

    Director LSU Ph.D. Program in Comparative Literature

                   

    The Ph. D. Program in Comparative Literature at Louisiana State University is recruiting students who have received a B.A. or M.A. in Comparative Literature, in another national literary tradition, or in allied areas of study. Students apply directly to the Ph. D. program. Those who have completed the B.A. with qualifications in specific disciplines have the option of completing an M.A. in English, French Studies, Hispanic Studies or Philosophy, or any other approved field during the course of their studies. Students who apply before January 15, 2016 will be eligible for financial aid for the 2016-2017 academic year

     

    As the place of the humanities in the university curriculum evolves in keeping with our increasingly global perspectives, comparative literature enables and enhances the necessary dialogue between disciplines and diverse geographical locations. Comparative Literature at LSU is an interdisciplinary PhD program that encourages students to approach literary studies from multiple perspectives. The program’s fifty-four accomplished faculty members guide our select cohort of graduate students to develop their own research agendas and degree plans. Both faculty members and students have come from across the globe to study, teach, and publish on literatures in many languages from a wide range of historical periods. The program offers seminars that address linguistic, cultural and critical diversity. It has proven strengths in Atlantic Studies (Europe, Africa, the Americas, and the Caribbean), in Interdisciplinary, and Asian Studies. Students complete their studies on an average of five to six years and go on to academic positions in American universities and those abroad.

     

    Students are closely guided during their entire process which leads to their degree and beyond. The faculty takes an active role in the students’ career development, aware of its responsibility to provide the expertise necessary for them to secure positions in academe, and function at the highest professional levels. The program regularly hosts conferences and speakers. The recent National Research Council evaluation ranked Comparative Literature at LSU quite favorably.

     

    Degree Requirements

    Students must demonstrate a competency in at least one national literary tradition other than their native language at the time they apply. They design their own programs of study in consultation with their Major Professor, Advisory Committee, and the Program Director. They also acquire competency in a third language and literary tradition.

     

    The Program is organized around a core curriculum. All students are required to take both CPLT 7010 (History of Literary Theory and Criticism: From Antiquity to Romanticism) and CPLT 7020 (History of Literary Theory and Criticism: From the Late Nineteenth Century to the Present). They must take both CPLT 7120 (Topics in the Theory of Criticism) and CPLT 7130 (Topics in Comparative Literature) at least twice. Students are also required to take CPLT 7140 (Topics in Interdisciplinary Study) at least once. Since the specific topics of these three courses differ from semester to semester, each may be taken more than once, up to a maximum of 9 credit hours. For all students, the distribution of the remaining courses required for the degree is designed by the student in consultation with his or her Major Professor and Advisory Committee. In all cases, a primary aim is to make sure that the Comparative Literature graduate has sufficient training in at least one national literary tradition (e.g., English, French, Spanish, etc.) to compete effectively in today’s academic job market. All students must pass a general examination at or near the end of course work, assessing the student’s command of three areas of concentration, and they must prepare and orally defend a satisfactory dissertation on an approved topic. Assistantships and Fellowships are available. Our website www.lsu.edu/complit contains detailed information about the program. To apply consult LSU Graduate School website at gradlsu.gs.lsu.edu. It is advisable to contact the Program Director, Adelaide M Russo at complitlsu@lsu.edu when you apply or if you have specific questions.