Overview
The Berkeley English Department offers a wide-ranging PhD program engaging in all historical periods of British and American literature, Anglophone literature, and critical and cultural theory. The program aims to assure that students gain a broad knowledge of literature in English as well as the highly-developed skills in scholarship and criticism necessary to do solid and innovative work in their chosen specialized fields.
Please note that the department does not offer a Master’s Degree program or a degree program in Creative Writing. Students can, however, petition for an MA in English with an emphasis in Creative Writing upon completion of the PhD course requirements (one of which must be a graduate writing workshop) and submission of a body of creative work.
Students interested in combining a PhD in English with studies in another discipline may pursue designated emphases programs in Film Studies; Medieval Studies; and Women, Gender, and Sexuality.
Normative time to complete the program is six years. The first two years are devoted to fulfilling the course and language requirements. The third year is spent preparing for and taking the PhD oral qualifying examination. The fourth through sixth years are devoted to researching and writing the prospectus and dissertation.
Graduate Program
English: PhD
Courses
English
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022
Approaches to literary study, including textual analysis, scholarly methodology and bibliography, critical theory and practice.
Problems in the Study of Literature: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Open only to students in the English Ph.D. program
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: English/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Terms offered: Fall 2022, Spring 2019, Spring 2007
Studies in the structure of the English language, varying by semester. Possible topics include phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics, either separately or in relation to literature, culture, and society.
Topics in the Structure of the English Language: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: English/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Topics in the Structure of the English Language: Read Less [-]
Terms offered: Spring 2021, Spring 2009
Topics in the History of the English Language: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: English/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Topics in the History of the English Language: Read Less [-]
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023
Graduate lecture courses surveying broad areas and periods of literary history, and directing students in wide reading. Offerings vary from semester to semester. Students should consult the department's "Announcement of Classes" for offerings well before the beginning of the semester.
Graduate Readings: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Open to advanced undergraduates, with the consent of the instructor
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: English/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Terms offered: Fall 2013, Fall 2011, Fall 2009
Old English: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Open to undergraduates with the consent of the instructor
Credit Restrictions: Offered for 4 units in fall and in spring, 3 units in summer.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: English/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Terms offered: Spring 2017, Spring 2016, Spring 2014
Old English: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Open to undergraduates with the consent of the instructor
Credit Restrictions: Offered for 4 units in fall and in spring, 3 units in summer.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: English/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Terms offered: Fall 2023, Fall 2022, Fall 2018
Discussion of Chaucer's major works.
Chaucer: Read More [+]
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: English/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Terms offered: Fall 2019, Fall 2016, Spring 2012
Rapid reading of selections in Middle English, from the twelfth century through the fifteenth.
Readings in Middle English: Read More [+]
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: English/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Terms offered: Spring 2020, Fall 2016, Fall 2014
Discussion of selected works of Shakespeare.
Shakespeare: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: English/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Terms offered: Spring 2024, Fall 2021, Spring 2019
Discussion of Milton's major works.
Milton: Read More [+]
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: English/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Terms offered: Fall 2023, Fall 2021, Spring 2020
A writing workshop in fiction for graduate students.
Fiction Writing Workshop: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor, normally based on prior writings submitted
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: English/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Terms offered: Spring 2024, Fall 2022, Spring 2022
A writing workshop in poetry for graduate students.
Poetry Writing Workshop: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor, normally based on prior writings submitted
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: English/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Terms offered: Spring 2023, Spring 2022, Fall 2020
A writing workshop in prose nonfiction for graduate students.
Prose Nonfiction Writing Workshop: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor, normally based on prior writings submitted
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: English/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Terms offered: Fall 2022, Spring 2019, Spring 2017
Proseminars in the major chronological fields of English and American literature providing graduate instruction in scholarly and critical approaches appropriate to each field.
Graduate Proseminars: Renaissance: Sixteenth century (excluding, or at least not prominently featuring, Skakespeare): Read More [+]
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: English/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Terms offered: Spring 2021, Fall 2017, Spring 2015
Proseminars in the major chronological fields of English and American literature providing graduate instruction in scholarly and critical approaches appropriate to each field.
Graduate Proseminars: Renaissance: Seventeenth century through Milton: Read More [+]
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: English/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Graduate Proseminars: Renaissance: Seventeenth century through Milton: Read Less [-]
Terms offered: Spring 2014, Fall 2010, Fall 2008
Proseminars in the major chronological fields of English and American literature providing graduate instruction in scholarly and critical approaches appropriate to each field.
Graduate Proseminars: Restoration and early 18th century: Read More [+]
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: English/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Graduate Proseminars: Restoration and early 18th century: Read Less [-]
Terms offered: Spring 2022, Fall 2019, Spring 2016
Proseminars in the major chronological fields of English and American literature providing graduate instruction in scholarly and critical approaches appropriate to each field.
Graduate Proseminars: Later 18th century: Read More [+]
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: English/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Terms offered: Spring 2020, Fall 2017, Spring 2015
Proseminars in the major chronological fields of English and American literature providing graduate instruction in scholarly and critical approaches appropriate to each field.
Graduate Proseminars: Romantic: Read More [+]
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: English/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2022, Spring 2020
Proseminars in the major chronological fields of English and American literature providing graduate instruction in scholarly and critical approaches appropriate to each field.
Graduate Proseminars: Victorian: Read More [+]
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: English/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Terms offered: Spring 2015, Fall 2012, Fall 2011
Proseminars in the major chronological fields of English and American literature providing graduate instruction in scholarly and critical approaches appropriate to each field.
Graduate Proseminars: American to 1855: Read More [+]
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: English/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Terms offered: Fall 2020, Spring 2014, Spring 2011
Proseminars in the major chronological fields of English and American literature providing graduate instruction in scholarly and critical approaches appropriate to each field.
Graduate Proseminars: American 1855 to 1900: Read More [+]
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: English/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Terms offered: Spring 2023, Fall 2019, Fall 2014
Proseminars in the major chronological fields of English and American literature providing graduate instruction in scholarly and critical approaches appropriate to each field.
Graduate Proseminars: Literature in English 1900 to 1945: Read More [+]
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: English/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Graduate Proseminars: Literature in English 1900 to 1945: Read Less [-]
Terms offered: Spring 2019, Spring 2014, Fall 2007
Proseminars in the major chronological fields of English and American literature providing graduate instruction in scholarly and critical approaches appropriate to each field.
Graduate Proseminars: Literature in English 1945 to Present: Read More [+]
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: English/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Graduate Proseminars: Literature in English 1945 to Present: Read Less [-]
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023
Required of all Ph.D. students. Advanced study in various fields, leading to a substantial piece of writing. Offerings vary from semester to semester. Students should consult the department's "Announcement of Classes" for offerings well before the beginning of the semester.
Research Seminars: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 2-3 hours of seminar per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: English/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Terms offered: Fall 2022, Spring 2022, Spring 2021
Directed research. Open to qualified graduate students wishing to pursue special topics. If taken to satisfy degree requirements, must be taken for four units and a letter grade.
Special Studies: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3-12 hours of independent study per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: English/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Terms offered: Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Fall 2022
Normally reserved for students directly engaged upon the doctoral dissertation.
Special Study: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 1-12 hours of independent study per week
Summer:
6 weeks - 2.5-30 hours of independent study per week
8 weeks - 2-23 hours of independent study per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: English/Graduate
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
Terms offered: Summer 2012 10 Week Session, Summer 2010 10 Week Session, Summer 2009 10 Week Session
Primarily for students engaged in preliminary exploration of a restricted field, involving research and the writing of a report. May not be substituted for available seminars.
Special Study: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
Hours & Format
Summer:
6 weeks - 1-5 hours of independent study per week
8 weeks - 1-4 hours of independent study per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: English/Graduate
Grading: Letter grade.
Terms offered: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022
Discussion of course aims, instructional methods, grading standards, and special problems in the teaching of composition and literature, with practice in handling sample essays. When given for graduate student instructors in the English R1A-R1B Program or the English 45 series, the course will include class visitation.
The Teaching of Composition and Literature: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit when topic changes.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 3 hours of lecture per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: English/Professional course for teachers or prospective teachers
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.
Formerly known as: English 302
Terms offered: Spring 2016, Fall 2015, Spring 2015
Individual study in consultation with the major field adviser, intended to provide an opportunity for qualified students to prepare themselves for the various examinations required of candidates for the Ph.D. May not be used for unit or residence requirements for the doctoral degree.
Individual Study for Doctoral Students: Read More [+]
Rules & Requirements
Prerequisites: Graduate standing
Repeat rules: Course may be repeated for credit without restriction.
Hours & Format
Fall and/or spring: 15 weeks - 0 hours of independent study per week
Additional Details
Subject/Course Level: English/Graduate examination preparation
Grading: Offered for satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade only.