Program Overview
The Ph.D. program in Scandinavian Studies offers a comprehensive education in literature, folklore, and philology, with a focus on Scandinavian culture and languages. Students develop expertise in theory, methodology, and cultural history, and can pursue specialized interests in areas such as mythology, sagas, and gender criticism. The program prepares graduates for careers in academia, government, and the private sector, with a strong track record of successful placements.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Ph.D. degree is offered in the fields of literature, folklore, and philology. The basic requirements for all students entering the Ph.D. program correspond to the requirements for the M.A. degree in Scandinavian Studies with concentration in literature, area studies, or philology, as appropriate. Scandinavian Studies is the oldest such department in the Americas, tracing its roots to 1875. Department faculty have received numerous awards and other marks of recognition for their teaching and scholarship. The department offers the master of arts and the doctor of philosophy in Scandinavian Studies. A doctoral minor is also available. The program offers the possibility to attain a broad education in Scandinavian culture that has proven to be extremely useful in students' professional careers. Students will become well-versed in theory and methodology as well as in cultural history. The department possesses particular strengths in Scandinavian literature, Old Norse philology, and Nordic folklore. Within these broader categories, students may pursue interests in such topics as mythology, Sámi studies, saints' lives, modernism, sagas, gender criticism, immigration studies, national identity—to name only a few. Languages offered in the department include Danish, Finnish, Icelandic, Norwegian, Sámi, and Swedish. The department has an excellent record of placing its Ph.D. graduates in good positions in the field.
Outline:
The Ph.D. degree requires a minimum of 51 credits, including 26 credits of coursework and a dissertation. The curriculum includes core courses in Scandinavian literature, folklore, and philology, as well as elective courses in related fields. Students are also required to complete a doctoral minor or Graduate/Professional certificate of at least 9 credits in another field.
Assessment:
Students are evaluated on their coursework, exams, and dissertation. The dissertation must be a significant piece of original research that makes a contribution to the field of Scandinavian Studies.
Teaching:
The program is taught by a distinguished faculty of scholars and teachers. The department offers a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, seminars, and workshops. Students also have the opportunity to work closely with faculty on research projects.
Careers:
Graduates of the Ph.D. program in Scandinavian Studies have gone on to successful careers in academia, government, and the private sector. Some graduates have become professors at major universities, while others have found work as researchers, librarians, and editors. Still others have found success in fields such as journalism, public policy, and business.