The Literature Graduate Program in English begins with a course in the fundamentals of research and bibliography. Working closely with their advisory committee, students devise an individualized curriculum that reflects their own intellectual interests. The Program offers seminars in all historical periods of Anglophone literature from medieval to contemporary. Classes focusing on an individual genre or author, on multicultural and gender studies, and on literary theory are regularly scheduled.
Many graduate students teach writing classes and participate in workshops on pedagogy. Opportunities to teach other courses and to work as research assistants are periodically available for distinguished students. The combined emphasis on research and practical teaching experience enables new PhDs to compete for a variety of faculty positions at colleges and universities throughout the country.
A number of fellowships and teaching assistantships are given to new and continuing students, in addition to essay prizes and awards. The department provides some travel support for students to deliver papers at professional conferences.
Requirements
The BA in English at OSU requires 40 hours of general education courses, 54 hours within the major, and 10 hours of elective coursework. Literature is one of four paths available for the major coursework.
More Information about the BA Degree
MA students complete 30 hours (including 6 thesis hours), write a thesis, and demonstrate reading knowledge of one foreign language.
More information about the MA Degree Requirements
Doctoral students earn a total of 60 hours (including 18-20 dissertation hours) beyond those required for the MA; take PhD exams in two subject areas; write and defend a dissertation; and demonstrate a reading knowledge of two, or mastery of one, foreign language.
More information about the PhD Degree Requirements
Faculty
Linda M. Austin
Victorian Literature
Andrew Belton
African American Literature
William Decker
American Literature
Randi Eldevik
Medieval Literature
Ritch Frohock
18th Century American Literature
Elizabeth Grubgeld
Irish Literature
Katherine Hallemeier
Post-Colonial Studies
Lisa Hollenbach
Contemporary American Poetry
Edward Jones
Milton
Tim Murphy
Modern Fiction
Lindsay C. Smith
American Indian Studies
Andrew Wadoski
Early Modern Literature
Jeffrey Walker
Early American Literature
Martin Wallen
Romanticism
Learn more about other OSU faculty on the profile pages.
(Note: Students may use the below research groupings to facilitate the formation for their exam and dissertation committees. These clusters are intended to be suggestive, not definitive or restrictive.)
| Studies in Fiction | Poetry and Poetics | |
|---|---|---|
| Linda Austin | Linda Austin | |
| Randi Eldevik | Andrew Belton | |
| Ritch Frohock | Randi Eldevik | |
| Elizabeth Grubgeld | Lisa Hollenbach | |
| Tim Murphy | Edward Jones | |
| Lindsey Smith | Andrew Wadoski | |
| Jeffrey Walker | Martin Wallen | |
| Studies in Non-Fiction | History of the Book | |
| William Decker | William Decker | |
| Ritch Frohock | Edward Jones | |
| Elizabeth Grubgeld | Jeffrey Walker | |
| Tim Murphy | ||
| Native American/Post-Colonial Studies | African American Studies | |
| Ritch Frohock | Andrew Belton | |
| Katherine Hallemeier | William Decker | |
| Lindsey Smith | Katherine Hallemeier | |
| Lisa Hollenbach | ||
| Ethics and Literature | Critical Theory and Aesthetics | |
| Elizabeth Grubgeld | Linda Austin | |
| Katherine Hallemeier | Katherine Hallemeier | |
| Andrew Wadoski | Tim Murphy | |
| Martin Wallen | ||
| Technology and Literature | Popular Culture | |
| Linda Austin | Lisa Hollenbach | |
| Lisa Hollenbach | Tim Murphy | |
| Tim Murphy | Stacy Takacs | |
| Martin Wallen | Jeffrey Walker |
Courses
Find out about course offerings at the Course Offerings Page.