Slavic Languages and Literatures
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Slavic PhD Program
Harvard’s Slavic Department welcomes a wide range of students into its PhD program. Although most of our students have specialized in Russian literature and culture, Harvard’s Slavic program is one of the few departments in the US that offer comprehensive training in multiple Slavic literatures: Czech, Polish, Russian, and Ukrainian, in addition to language study in Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian, Czech, Polish, Russian, and Ukrainian. Our program encourages students to make the most of this remarkable breadth of resources. In addition to their major field of study, graduate students are also expected to take courses in another Slavic literary tradition (or traditions) during their PhD program. Exposure to different Slavic cultures can lead to a more nuanced approach to one’s major area of study, broadens one’s knowledge of the region, and is valuable for the current academic job market. In addition, a specialization in Comparative Slavic Studies is available (see below) for students who qualify for that path.
The First Two Years
The Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) approves course selection each semester. Graduate students are required to complete sixteen four-credit courses in the first two years of study, including:
Ten Departmental Courses
A minimum of 10 courses should be taken in the Slavic Department. At least six of these should fall within a single literary/cultural tradition, which serves as the student’s major field. In special circumstances, up to two advanced language courses may be counted toward the major field requirement. At least two courses must be taken in Slavic literatures outside the major field. The ten departmental courses include the obligatory Graduate Proseminar (a two-semester sequence, counting as a single course, to be taken in the first year), and a course in Old Church Slavonic. Students are also required to enroll in occasional “starred” seminars (up to one per semester), which will gather all first- and second-year students and which will count as courses in relevant Slavic literatures.
Elective Courses
The remaining six courses are elective courses, chosen in consultation with the DGS and relevant faculty. Students often use some of these electives for language study or for courses outside the Slavic Department. For example, they may include courses in comparative literature, performing arts or fine arts, cultural studies, film studies, history, or linguistics. If a student would like to structure some or all of these courses into a formal Minor Field, the DGS will be happy to consult with them. Interested students may also pursue secondary fields offered by other departments, such as Film and Visual Studies; Comparative Literature; German; Studies of Women, Gender, and Sexuality; History of Science; and others.
Third-Year Presentation
In the fall of the third year, each student will give a research presentation that maps out direction(s) for their future research, drawing on their coursework. This presentation might be on a possible dissertation topic, or might aim at developing an article that is unrelated to their dissertation research. It may focus on a minor field, if the student has one. The presentation should discuss how the student’s coursework has contributed to their intellectual development and the topic of their research.
Language Requirement
Students must demonstrate a command of the language of their major field at the fifth-year level (proficiency). Before the beginning of fall semester in their first year, graduate students will take a placement exam administered by the Director of the Slavic Languages Program. If further language study is needed, students will use some elective courses for this purpose.
Students are expected to demonstrate a reading knowledge of a second research language in addition to the language of their major field. Many students choose to pursue a second Slavic language. Preferably this study should begin in the first year, perhaps followed by a summer program abroad after the first or second year of study. Students may opt to study French or German, or another language central to the student's research interests, with departmental approval.
Comparative Slavic Path
Students who demonstrate proficiency in two Slavic languages (generally defined as an ability to read complex literary and critical texts fluently in both languages), or who have a concrete plan to do so by the end of the third year, can apply to split their courses between two Slavic cultures as their two major areas of study. We welcome students who are proficient in one Slavic language and literature and would like to get thorough language and literature training in another Slavic culture, leading to advanced research in both cultures. Students who pursue this path, and do not already have command of a second Slavic language, will be asked to commit to intensive language study both during the school year and in the summers. Harvard provides many different sources of funding for summer study as well as regular language offerings at all levels during the year.
Policy on Course Incompletes
Students are strongly encouraged not to take any incompletes. Students may possibly be granted one Incomplete during their first two years and must ask permission of the DGS as well as the instructor of the relevant course. The Incomplete must be made up by the end of the next term. Students may not teach or take their general examinations if they have an unresolved Incomplete in a required course.
Good Standing
The minimum standard set by the department for satisfactory work by graduate students is an A-/B+ average (as many As as Bs). Students who fall below this level must, in the following term, demonstrate their ability to meet this minimum in courses taken within the department. Only students who remain in good standing are eligible to take the general examinations, teach, and receive Harvard fellowships. Each year, the department chair writes a letter to students assessing their progress in the program, recording any milestones and other achievements, and setting forth goals for the coming year.
General Examinations
Students begin preparing for their general exams in the late spring of their second year and take the exams at the end of their third year.
Prospectus
The prospectus should provide a good sense for the proposed dissertation project and reflect the work the student has done to establish the foundation for a large project of this kind. The dissertation prospectus must be submitted for review and approval by all members of the department.
Students will submit a first draft of their prospectus to their emerging dissertation committee at the end of September of the G-4 year and are expected to submit a complete and revised prospectus for review by the entire Slavic department faculty by early December.
Dissertation
The dissertation must give evidence of original research or of original treatment of the subject and must be in good literary form. It should be completed within three years after the general examinations. Each year, the department will set the due dates for submitting a final polished draft of the dissertation to all committee members—one for students wishing to finish their degree in the fall, one in the spring, and one in the summer.
To qualify for a dissertation completion fellowship as a G-6 student, students will need to have two chapters drafted by February of the G-5 year.
Teaching
As part of their preparation, candidates are required to teach. Students teach during the G-3 and G-4 years, both language courses and literature/culture. Some G-5 graduate students also teach.
Program Timeline
The expected timeline for our PhD program is six years as follows:
- Graduate students complete their coursework during their first two years in the program.
- Graduate students begin teaching in their third year and are guaranteed teaching assignments in both language and literature/culture for their third and fourth years.
- Graduate students take their general examinations at the end of their third year.
- Graduate students submit a dissertation prospectus draft by the end of September in their fourth year and a revised draft of their prospectus by early December for approval by department faculty.
If students qualify with two completed dissertation chapter drafts by early February of their fifth year, they will hold a Dissertation Completion Fellowship in their sixth year.
Master of Arts (AM)
The department does not admit candidates for a terminal AM degree. However, PhD candidates may apply for an AM degree after having completed with satisfactory grades the eight four-credit graduate level courses, including the Proseminar, that satisfy department requirements. The degree may also be offered to students who choose not to complete the PhD, assuming they have met the course requirements.