Department of Comparative Literature Criteria for Satisfactory Progress in the Graduate Program

Note: This is not an exhaustive list of requirements. For more complete information, please see the Graduate School Catalog (http://www.wisc.edu/grad/catalog/letsci/complit.html) and the departmental description of the M.A. and Ph.D. requirements.

A. Course load: Three graduate level courses (8-9 credits) per semester are required until advancement to dissertator status; reduced loads may be approved by the student’s committee to accommodate special circumstances. A TA or PA may carry a reduced load.

B. Overview of requirements to complete the MA:

• 21 credits in Comparative Literature including 702, a course in literary criticism (CL 771), and a least one seminar (an 800 or 900 level course);
• Overall GPA of 3.5;
• Successful completion of the Examination in a Second Language;
• Successful completion of the Second Year (“M.A.”) Examination.

C. Overview of requirements to complete the Ph.D:

• 54 credits in Comparative Literature, including CL702, at least two other 700-level courses, CL822 (Translation Seminar) and at least two other 800 or 900-level course. (The 21 MA credits and minor credits count toward this total.)

• The 54 credits must include a course in the comparative literatures of each of the following periods: archaic/classical and medieval/Renaissance/early modern. In addition, a CL course in each of the three major literary genres -- narrative, poetry, drama -- is strongly encouraged.

• Completion of 12 credit Ph.D. minor (included in 54 total Ph.D. credits).**
• Demonstration of proficiency in a third language by passing an intermediate literature course with a grade of AB or better.
• Demonstration of reading proficiency in an ancient or major Asian or African language by completing an appropriate course with a grade of AB or better.
• Successful completion of the Ph.D. preliminary examinations;
• Successful completion of the dissertation;
• Successful completion of the oral dissertation defense.

** Please note: If the minor is not in a foreign language department, the student must nonetheless take at least 3 literature courses in a foreign language department or departments.

IV. Deadlines for Completion of Requirements

A. Students entering with a B.A.:

• Successful completion of the Examination in a Second Language by the end of the 1st year;
• Successful completion of the Second Year Examination by the 4th semester;
• Successful completion of the Ph.D. preliminary examinations and the Ph.D. minor by the end of the 10th semester.
• Successful completion of the dissertation within 5 years of the Ph.D. preliminary examination.

B. Students entering with the M.A. in comparative literature:

• Acceptance into the Ph.D. program by successful completion of the Second Year Examination by the second semester in residence (and the Examination in a Second Language by the end of the 1st semester);.
• Successful completion of the Ph.D. preliminary examinations and the Ph.D. minor by end of the 8th semester.
• Successful completion of the dissertation within 5 years of the Ph.D. preliminary examination.

V. Quality of Work

• Students must maintain a 3.5 average each semester;

• Incompletes may be granted only in emergency situations and no more than one incomplete may be carried in a single semester. To be considered as making satisfactory progress, an incomplete in one semester must be removed in the subsequent semester.