MA PROGRAM

Master of Arts, CLG specialization

The M.A. requires a minimum of 40 units of graduate-level- course work in German literature in an interdisciplinary context and in a second national literature. The 40 units of graduate-level course work must include the 4 unit Proseminar in Comparative Literature (CL 210), a minimum of 12 graduate units in German literature, 8 graduate units in the student’s second national literature, and 8 units in comparative literature.

A maximum of 4 units of 596 course work may be counted toward the master’s degree. By the end of the second year of study, students must pass a written qualifying field examination or successfully complete a thesis in German literary studies. Students are invited to join the Ph.D. program by the Graduate Studies Committee. The invitation is based upon the student’s outstanding performance in graduate course work, on the first qualifying examination, and upon the recommendations of the student’s exam committee and other faculty with whom the student has worked.

Field Examination 1 (for the M.A.)

Students will devote field 1 to German literary studies. The field will have a focus chosen from the following list:

(1) Literary Period and/or Genre
(2) Theory and Philosophy (such as German Idealism, Psychoanalysis, Frankfurt School, Deconstruction)
(3) Media Technology
(4) Holocaust Studies with a German emphasis.
(5) Special Field defined by the candidate in close consultation with the graduate advisor and at least one additional German faculty member.

The Field examination consists of
a) a 50-page thesis or a two-day written exam consisting of three questions.  Exam is based upon reading list of 50-75 works developed with exam committee and focusing on area of the list below, and
b) an oral examination after written exam is passed.

PhD Program

Doctor of Philosophy

The Ph.D. in Comparative Literature with a specialization in German Literary Studies requires the study of German literature in an interdisciplinary and transnational context as well as a second national literature.

Students entering the program with an M.A. in German literature or a closely related field need a minimum of 24 units of additional graduate-level course work to be distributed in consultation with the graduate adviser. These 24 units include 8 units (2 courses) in German literature, 4 units (1 course) in the student’s second national literature, and 4 units (1 course) in comparative literature. Additional course work may be required to make up for deficiencies. Students must pass three field exams, two in German literature and the third in a related field. The first field examination should be taken in the first quarter of their second year at UCSB.

Students entering the program with a B.A. complete a minimum of 60 units of graduate-level course work including work done at the M.A. level. A minimum of 24 units (6 courses) of graduate-level course work must be completed in German literature, plus 12 units (3 courses) in a second national literature and at least 12 additional units (3 courses) of graduate-level course work from the offerings in the Comparative Literature Program, with the remaining 12 units to be distributed among the student’s fields in consultation with the graduate advisor. The field exam written at the MA level serves as the first field exam for the Ph.D. The other two qualifying field examinations and the remaining 24 units of course work should be completed by the end of the fourth year of study. Students may retake each field exam one time.

Field Examination 2 consists of:

a) a 50-page essay or a two-day written examination consisting of three questions. The exam is based upon a reading list of 50-75 works developed with the exam committee and consonant with focus of first, German field.
b) Oral examination, after written exam is passed.

Field Examination 3 consists of:

Either an essay of 35 pages or two 20-page essays. The exam is based upon a reading list of 50-75 works developed with exam committee and based upon a second are chosen from the following list:  
(1) Literary Period and/or Genre
(2) Theory and Philosophy (such as German Idealism, Psychoanalysis, Frankfurt School, Deconstruction)
(3) Media Technology
(4) Holocaust Studies with a German emphasis.
(5) Special Field defined by the candidate in close consultation with the graduate advisor and at least one additional German faculty member.

Upon completion of the three field exams students prepare an oral exam, administered by the dissertation committee, in which they present a dissertation prospectus on the proposed dissertation topic. Students who pass this examination and demonstrate proficiency in a second foreign language will be advanced to candidacy. The final requirement is the successful completion of a doctoral dissertation including an oral defense.

See also: https://dev-complit-ucsb-edu-v02.pantheonsite.io/graduate/degree/german-specialization