University of California, Irvine

Program Information

Degree Offered

PhD. Optional emphases in Comparative Literature, Critical Theory, Feminist Studies, and/or Visual Studies

Format: Campus

Program Description:

UC Irvine's Department of German offers a course of study leading to the PhD in German. Additionally, students may choose an emphasis Comparative Literature, Critical Theory, Feminist Studies, and/or Visual Studies.
Innovation combined with a solid foundation in traditional approaches characterizes the program of study leading to the PhD degree. Special emphasis is placed on integrating literary texts into pertinent cultural and theoretical contexts as well as on understanding literature in its aesthetic, social, and historical dimensions. The faculty is particularly well represented in the field of modern German literature, philosophy, and cultural studies and there is strong research and teaching interest in the eighteenth century, the Age of Goethe, Classicism, Romanticism, Realism, and twentieth-century literature.
Students take an active part in the Department's intellectual life. Speakers from a large number of universities present papers at regular colloquia that offer occasion for intense discussion. Distinguished visiting professors often join the Department, bringing new perspectives and impulses. The Goethe Institute in nearby Los Angeles also provides many special events, including visits by German writers, film presentations (in addition to the Department's regular offerings), and workshops.
The UCI Library contains more than 2 million volumes and supports work and research in many areas. Special collections include the Hans Waldmüller Thomas Mann Collection and the René Wellek Library. Students and faculty also enjoy access to the entire University of California library system.

Accreditation:

Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WACS)

Eligibility Requirements:

Admission to the PhD Program is determined by careful review of the applicant's prior academic performance, writing sample,GRE scores,letters of recommendation, personal statement,& foreign language competency statement. Both the GRE general test and subject test are required for admission to the PhD in English. Approximately,12-15 students are accepted on a competitive basis. As such, carefully consider the following: 1.Your Writing Sample is one of the most important components of your application. It is a critically oriented piece that illustrates your ability to do scholarly research & interpret literary texts.2.While there is no fixed cut-off for GRE scores,a reasonable recommendation is a minimum VERBAL score of 680 w/Analytical & Quantitative Scores also taken into consideration.English Ph.D. applicants are required to take the Literature in English Test. A minimum score of 650 is recommended.3.A minimum GPA of 3.50 in the last years of undergraduate coursework.

International Student Requirements:

If English is not your primary language and you wish to establish eligibility for appointment as a teaching assistant, you must pass one of the following English proficiency exams: Test of Spoken English (TSE), Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-based Testing (TOEFL-iBT), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Spoken Proficiency English Assessment Kit (SPEAK) or Test of Oral English Proficiency (TOEP).

Tuition & Financial Aid

Financial Aid Offered: No

Classification: Doctoral/Research Universities - Extensive

Institution Sector: Public

Locale: Midsize City

Size & Settings: 20,000 and above