Education

Harvard University: Arts & Sciences: Celtic Languages and Literatures

Category Art and Social Sciences, Doctoral, English Literature, Harvard University, USA
Tags Arts, Celtic, Harvard University, Languages, Literatures, Sciences

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The general scope of the PhD program is outlined above in the preliminary paragraph under Master of Arts (AM). The program is designed not only to prepare students to do serious research in and teach at university level the Celtic languages and literatures, but also to be of sufficient general breadth to prepare students to teach broad courses on language or literature in liberal arts colleges.

Prerequisites for Admission

Languages — Some knowledge of a Celtic language is preferred, but not required. In order to anticipate the language requirement, it is desirable that the candidate for admission have a knowledge of one or more of the following languages: French, German, and Latin. In addition, candidates are encouraged to contact the department to discuss their interests and the programs available within the department prior to application for admission. Candidates are also encouraged to submit a writing sample (not creative writing) as part of the application for admission.

GRE — In keeping with the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences policy, applications must be accompanied by the GRE scores.
Requirements for the PhD Degree

Academic Residence — Minimum of two years of full-time study (16 half-courses or equivalent). For financial residence requirement, see Admissions, Costs: Tuition and Fees. Scholarship aid cannot be guaranteed after four years of full-time study.

Credit for Work Done Elsewhere — Advanced students are encouraged to do some work abroad, especially in Celtic-speaking areas; and limited reduction of departmental course requirements may sometimes be arranged.

Good Standing — The requirements for good standing in the Department of Celtic Languages and Literatures are those of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

Special Fields — The two normal special fields are Irish and Welsh. Other special fields and combinations may be arranged in consultation with the chair of the department.

Program of Study — The student’s program of study must be arranged in consultation with the department’s director of graduate studies.

Languages — In addition to a thorough knowledge of at least two Celtic languages, normally Irish and Welsh, a reading knowledge of three additional foreign languages, French, German, and Latin, is required.

Teaching — Students will normally be eligible for teaching fellowships during their third and fourth years. Students holding the master’s degree may be eligible in their second year. Students teaching in department Core courses must participate in the TF orientation program at the beginning of the term in which they will teach, as well as attend course lectures and weekly TF meetings with the course head. Students who are fluent in speaking, reading, and writing one of the modern Celtic languages may be eligible to teach introductory and intermediate courses in that language.

General Examination — The general examination is a two-hour oral examination in the general field of Celtic studies as outlined by the basic department reading list and augmented by the student’s special interests within Celtic or an allied field. The examination is conducted by the student’s committee, normally comprising at least two members of the Celtic department and one additional faculty member.

It is expected that the examination will be taken after the second year of PhD residency (normally in the fall of the third year). In case of unsatisfactory performance, the student may normally take the examination a second time. A student who has not passed the general examination by the end of the fourth year must withdraw.

The Dissertation — As soon as possible after passing the general examination, and not later than the end of the term following successful completion of the examination, the candidate must identify a dissertation director and submit a brief prospectus of the proposed dissertation. The candidate, in consultation with the dissertation director, will then invite at least two other readers, one of whom must be a member of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, to serve as additional readers and to offer guidance as the dissertation progresses. This procedure must have the approval of the chair of the Celtic Department. Two copies of the dissertation must be in the hands of the chair by August 15 for a degree in November, by December 1 for a degree in March, and by April 1 for a degree in June. The final manuscript of the dissertation must conform to the requirements described in the booklet The Form of the PhD Dissertation, available from the office of the Registrar. Students are encouraged to complete the PhD before the end of the sixth year.

Dissertation Presentation — Completion of the dissertation will be marked by an oral presentation of the results of the research to an invited audience of faculty and students.

Ad Hoc Degrees — The Celtic Department encourages students having a strong background in a subject closely related to the field of Celtic studies (e.g., the classics, linguistics, history, English, comparative literature) to petition GSAS for an ad hoc PhD in Celtic and the related field. Interested parties should consult the Celtic department’s director of graduate studies and the GSAS Handbook for details and procedures.