Graduate Degrees, page 2
English
College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
Rhetoric, Linguistics and Literature
This track prepares students for research in rhetoric and composition theory, and provides the background for graduates to plan and direct writing programs.
Graduate course work in the Department of Linguistics is integrated in the option with study in English. Students in Rhetoric, Linguistics and Literature (RLL) will be encouraged to take two of the 500-level RLL courses (ENGL 505, 506 and 507) before the screening procedure.
Following successful completion of the screening procedure, the RLL student, in collaboration with his or her guidance committee, will determine a curriculum in English and Linguistics leading to the qualifying examination.
Unit requirements, transfer of credit regulations, and principles and procedures related to the guidance committee, dissertation prospectus, qualifying examination, dissertation, and foreign language requirements are the same for Ph.D. candidates in RLL as they are for Ph.D. candidates in English and American literature (see above).
Film and Literature
This interdisciplinary program offers training that will advance student skills in both fields.
The student's course work must total at least 64 units. No more than eight units of 794 Doctoral Dissertation and no more than four units of 790 Research may count toward the 64 units. A maximum of 24 transfer units, approved by the graduate director, is allowed toward the 64 unit maximum required for the Ph.D. (see Transfer of Credit).
Preparatory Course Work Before Acceptance into the Program
Students must have an M.A. or M.F.A. in literature or film, or the equivalent, consistent with the department's current admission requirements. Students are encouraged to take the M.A. or M.F.A. at USC.
The required preparatory courses are as follows: CNTV 241 and 290; CNTV 502 and 510 (at the discretion of the department, courses taken elsewhere may be substituted for these two courses); and two courses in English and American literature from the following list: 520, 530, 540, 550, 560, 570, 580, 590, and 591 (at the discretion of the department, courses taken elsewhere may be substituted for these two courses).
Screening Procedure
Students must successfully complete the departmental examination and the screening procedure before formal admission to the Film and Literature Program (see Screening Procedure).
Guidance Committee
Immediately upon successful completion of the screening procedure and formal admission to the program, the student will nominate a five-member guidance committee consisting of a chair and two additional members from English and two additional members from Cinema-Television. Nominations to the guidance committee must be approved by the Film and Literature Steering Committee.
Advanced Course Requirements for Film and Literature
Upon successful completion of the screening procedure and formal admission to the program, the film and literature student, in consultation with his or her guidance committee, will plan an advanced curriculum leading to the qualifying examination. Core requirements of the advanced curriculum include three courses: 678 or 679; and 699 (enroll in CNTV 690); and at least one other course from the following group: CNTV 500, 573; ENGL 502, 503, 504, 506, 507.
Requirements for the dissertation prospectus, qualifying examination, dissertation and foreign language are the same as for Ph.D. candidates in English and American Literature and in Rhetoric, Linguistics and Literature.
Transfer of Credit
A Transfer Credit Statement is prepared by the Degree Progress Department for students admitted to full graduate standing. The application of any available transfer credit is contingent on successful completion of the screening exam and is determined by the director of graduate studies no later than the end of the second year according to the following guidelines: credit will only be allowed for courses (1) from accredited graduate schools; (2) of grade B (3.0 on a four-point scale) or better; (3) constituting a fair and reasonable equivalent to current USC course work at the graduate level and fitting into the program for the degree; and (4) approved by the Graduate School. Graduate transfer credit will not be granted for life experience, credit by examination, non-credit extension courses, correspondence courses, thesis course supervision or creative writing courses.
The maximum number of transfer credits which may be applied toward the Master of Arts degree is four units. The maximum number of transfer credits which may be applied toward the Ph.D. degree is 24 units. The Graduate School stipulates that transfer units must have been completed within 10 years of admission for the doctoral program to be applied toward the degree.
Experience in Teaching
This requirement may be fulfilled by two to four years' service as a teaching assistant in the Freshman Writing Program or equivalent experience as determined by the director of the Graduate Studies Program.
Graduate Activity and Support
The English Department is committed to the development of its graduate students as professionals. To this end, the department provides a number of opportunities for professional activity. Two conferences each year are run by graduate students, one of special interest to students in rhetoric and one of special interest to students in English and American literature. The department is also home to The Writing Instructor, a journal of rhetorical and composition theory and practice, founded and run by graduate students. In addition, the Association of English Graduate Students (A.E.G.S.) hosts a variety of lectures, discussions and forums throughout the year. To further support the student's professional activities outside of USC, the department also provides some funding for travel to conferences and professional meetings, along with a full range of placement, advising and support activities.
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Produced by the USC Division of Student Affairs, Office of University Publications, May 1, 1995
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