The English Department offers its own interdisciplinary courses, but students may also take courses in other disciplines, such as history, philosophy, communications, visual arts, folklore, and sociology.
Students have two chances to pass oral and written preliminary exams.
A dissertation is also required. These courses, together with previous coursework, should develop a reasonably comprehensive and coherent understanding of American literature. An introduction to methodologies in American Studies, and to American cultural tradition and the history of ideas. Courses may be taken in one or more departments outside English. Two to four courses with the approval of the chair of the American Studies Committee are required.