The PhD Program in Literary Studies/Theatre Studies in English at the University of Guelph presents an opportunity for doctoral study that is unique in Canada. Although students might choose to focus on either literary studies or theatre studies, the special opportunity provided by the PhD Program is its contribution to the evolution of interdisciplinary work in the humanities. This bridging of disciplines allows for opportunities not available in more traditional doctoral programs, especially in inter-discursive and theoretical work across the boundaries of literary and theatre studies. Students can choose to undertake research in one or more of six fields of specialization:

1. Studies in Canadian Literatures
2. Colonial, Postcolonial and Diasporic Studies
3. Early Modern Studies
4. Studies in the History and Politics of Performance and Theatre
5. Sexuality and Gender Studies
6. Transnational Nineteenth-Century Studies

Administrative Staff

Director
Sally Hickson (425 MacKinnon, Ext. 53881)
shickson@uoguelph.ca
Graduate Program Coordinator
Gregor Campbell (433 MKMN, Ext. 53255)
gregorc@uoguelph.ca
Graduate Program Assistant
Pam Keegan (429 MacKinnon, Ext. 56315)
pkeegan@uoguelph.ca

Graduate Faculty

This list may include Regular Graduate Faculty, Associated Graduate Faculty and/or Graduate Faculty from other universities.

PhD Program

Admission Requirements

Admission to the PhD Program normally requires an MA in English, and MA in Drama/Theatre, or an equivalent degree with at least an A- average in graduate work. In certain exceptional circumstances, students will be considered directly out of the undergraduate degree. Applications are considered by the Graduate Program Committee and a recommendation to admit or decline is forwarded to the Assistant VP of Graduate Studies.

Program Requirements

Graduate Course Work (2.5 credits)

Students are required to take 5 graduate courses in the initial phase of their degree. The standard practice is to take two courses in the Fall semester of Year 1, two courses in the Winter semester of Year 1, and one course in the Fall semester of Year 2. This arrangement of courses is recommended, but remains flexible: any combination of 5 courses over these semesters is acceptable. 

Competency Requirement

Students in the PhD program are required to demonstrate competency in 1 major and 2 minor areas. The list of areas and ways in which a student can demonstrate competency in an area are outlined in the SETS Graduate Handbook.

Qualifying Examination

Students must pass an Oral Qualifying Examination (OQE) by the end of their fifth semester in the program. The basis for the OQE is a 3,000-5,000 word thesis proposal.

PhD Dissertation

Following successful completion of the Oral Qualifying exam, the student must complete an original research project on an advanced topic. Submission and defence of an acceptable thesis on an approved topic completes the requirements of the PhD. More details are available at www.uoguelph.ca/arts/sets.

The advisory committee for the dissertation will consist of three members of the graduate faculty, one of whom assumes the primary advisory role. Ideally, the dissertation supervisor has worked with the student, in an advisory capacity, from their first semester in the program.

The dissertation should normally be between 50,000 and 75,000 words in length. The regulations for submission, examination and publication are outlined in Chapter IV PhD Degree Regulations.

Courses