By the fourth and fifth years, her dissertation director and committee will provide the most substantial guidance for her work. Courses English Graduate courses are distinct and separate from the undergraduate course offerings. An independent study course is available to Ph.D. students. To reflect its desire that students gain extensive experience in guided individual research and critical interchange with their peers, the department requires that M.A. candidates in literature and language who intend to enter the doctoral program take at least two seminars and that Ph.D. candidates take at least an additional three. Sometimes courses are taught by teams, and sometimes they are organized around group projects.
Many courses employ interdisciplinary methodologies and innovative critical perspectives.
Offerings in film, popular culture, and composition are regularly available. Well in advance of each semester, the department provides detailed descriptions, written by the instructors, of the courses that will be offered. Teaching The Department of English views teaching and scholarship as mutually constitutive. Experience in teaching undergraduate courses in writing and literature as well as opportunities to reflect critically upon that experience are considered crucial components of a graduate education. Prior to their first year of teaching W131, Elementary Composition, new Associate Instructors are asked to participate in a training workshop , during the week before the fall semester.