| Romance Languages and Literatures |
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The graduate program in the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures offers students outstanding opportunities to pursue work in the French and Francophone, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish and Latin American traditions, alone or in combination, leading to Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. After the first two years of graduate study, students receive practical training in teaching both language and literature courses. The Romance languages and literatures faculty is committed to interdisciplinary work, including history, philosophy, psychoanalysis, film studies, gender studies, literary theory, literary history, and philology. Students are encouraged to situate literature in the broad context of cultural productions, ranging from the canonical to alternative modes. The Harvard program provides students with the opportunity to work in a range of periods, genres, and approaches, and to formulate individual study plans with the help of their advisors. While students take courses primarily with members of the department, they may also participate in courses and seminars with faculty working in related areas in other departments of the University. Graduate students are encouraged to teach beginning in the third year of the program. Options include teaching a section of an undergraduate language course or leading a discussion section of a literature course taught by a professor. Teaching opportunities in the Core Program and other departments are also available. Harvard provides its teaching fellows with state-of-the-art classroom resources, guidance, and regular evaluations by permanent faculty members. Such ample teaching opportunities reflect a departmental philosophy of nurturing strong candidates for the academic job market.
Master of Arts (AM)The AM requirements are considered an integral part of the PhD program. Applicants who wish to pursue only the AM are not admitted. However, a terminal AM may be conferred on students who will not be completing requirements for the PhD. All students are examined at the end of their second term of study in the department. The full section faculty will evaluate each student’s performance in the examination, as well as in courses taken during the first year. This evaluation determines whether further coursework will be required for the AM, and in exceptional cases, whether the student should continue in the program. The same evaluation determines what credit the department will approve for previous graduate work at other universities. Note: The ultimate decision regarding transfer of credit rests with the registrar of the Graduate School. All course work for the AM must be completed by the end of the second year of graduate study. Successful completion of all AM requirements is a prerequisite for the PhD program.
General Requirements for the AM1. One year’s residence at Harvard and a program of eight courses, to include three 200level half-courses. 2. Proficiency in the oral and written use of the chosen Romance language, to be demonstrated either by examination upon entrance or by performance in course work during the period of residence. 3. The ability to read Latin, demonstrated by successful completion (B- or better, or grade of SAT) of Harvard Latin A and Latin B, or their equivalent elsewhere. Any work offered in satisfaction of this requirement must be taken in addition to the eight half-courses required for the AM degree. a. For students in Hispanic literatures: Reading knowledge of Latin or another language related to the student’s chosen field of expertise (French, Italian, Catalán, Quechua, etc.) demonstrated by a grade of B- or better in a Harvard language course (or an equivalent course at another university, approved by the Department). 4. Sound knowledge of the major aspects of one Romance literature, to be tested by the examination at the end of the first year of study.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)General Requirements for the PhD1. All students entering the PhD program should expect to take two full years of course work (16 half-courses), including course work done in fulfillment of the AM requirement. The 16 half-courses must include: a. One half-course in the history of the major Romance language. Note: Students should consult with their advisors before registering for 320-level (Supervised Reading and Research) courses for credit. 2. Normally, all students teach for at least one year at Harvard as part of their graduate program. Those teaching courses lettered or numbered below 70 in the Harvard Language Program must take Romance Languages 200, which includes a practicum on teaching techniques; Romance Languages 200 (or an equivalent approved by the Director of Language Programs). This course does not count among the 16 required half-courses. 3. The passing of a PhD general examination (see Examinations), which should be taken no later than the end of the third year of graduate studies. 4. A dissertation on a subject chosen by the student in consultation with the advisor, to be completed by the end of the sixth year of graduate studies. Following the general examination (at the latest), the student chooses a dissertation director; together they select a committee to supervise the research and writing of the PhD dissertation. The committee, chaired by and including the dissertation director, is made up of three (exceptionally four) faculty members, chosen by the student in consultation with the dissertation director. Two of the three readers must be members of the Harvard University Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Visiting professors with renewable term appointments may serve on dissertation committees, but not chair them. Ordinarily, two members of the committee represent the student’s language and field; a third may come from another language or discipline. This committee approves the dissertation prospectus, establishes the schedule for completion, and reviews the student’s progress. The dissertation may be written in English or in the appropriate Romance language. The final manuscript must conform to the requirements described in the booklet, The Form of the Doctoral Dissertation. After acceptance of the thesis by the committee, all PhD candidates make an oral presentation to faculty and students, followed by a question and answer period.
Specific Requirements for the PhD by Language Section1. French and Francophone, and Italian Literatures. Through a combination of course work, seminars, and individual study, candidates are expected to acquire a general familiarity with major figures, works, and trends in the history of French and Francophone, and Italian literature from the earliest texts to the present day. This competence will be tested at the PhD general examination.
2. Hispanic Literatures. Candidates for the degree are expected to prove evidence of general understanding of the Hispanic literatures. For examination purposes, the fi eld is divided into six areas, three in Spanish Peninsular literature (Medieval, Golden Age, and 18th–20th centuries) and three in Latin American literature (Colonial, 18th– 19th centuries, and 20th century). a. Each student is examined in all six fields, choosing one as a special fi eld. The two parts of the examination (general and special field) may be taken separately. b. Students of Spanish are required to complete the equivalent of one half-course at the 100 or 200 level in Portuguese or Brazilian literature. (Note: This does not fulfill the requirement for a graduate level literature course in a second language.)
3. Hispanic Literature with a Minor in Portuguese a. Proven oral and written proficiency in the Portuguese language. b. A minimum of 18 courses (instead of the standard 16) distributed as follows: • 14 courses in Spanish, including the required course of History of the Language and Romance Languages. c. A general reading list of 24 Portuguese texts (selected by the director of grad uate studies in Portuguese). Reading lists of Hispanic texts will remain the same for all students. d. The general exam will be prepared as follows: a two-hour component of Portuguese literature will be added to the second part of the written exam, that is, to the portion on the student’s field of specialization in Hispanic literature. The rest of the exam will not change. e. The dissertation topic must address significant issues from both Spanish and Portuguese literature. 4. Portuguese and Brazilian Literatures. a. Students specialize in one of these fields. b. Competence in the chosen field of specialization and two other selected fi elds will be tested in the general examinations. Requirements for the fourth field can be met by taking one course in this fi eld before the examinations. c. Students of Portuguese and Brazilian literatures are required to complete one half-course at the 100 or 200 level in Spanish. (Note:This does not fulfill the requirement for a graduate level literature course in a second language.)
ExaminationsOral and Written Language Proficiency Examinations for Incoming StudentsThese are scheduled during the week pre ceding the first day of classes of the fall term. Incoming students will receive a mailing during the summer prior to entrance specifying the exact time and place of these examinations. 1. First-year Examination. See the General Requirements for the AM section. 2. PhD General Examinations. The General Examinations are made up of written and oral parts; the precise format differs by section. The PhD General Exams are given during the week before classes begin in September, and during the May exam period. Students must take these exams by the end of the third year of graduate study. 3. In the case of unsatisfactory performance, the student may, if the examining board so recommends, take all or part of the PhD Examination a second time, within one year of the first. Failure to pass the PhD General Examination the second time will result in automatic withdrawal from the PhD program. 4. Students have six weeks following formal written notification of their General Exam grade in which to constitute their dissertation committees. When the committees have been constituted, students must submit a contract bearing the signatures of all their committee members, indicating they have agreed to meet the deadline for prospectus turn-in. Electronic signatures are acceptable. The prospectus, which should be approximately 15 pages in length, should include a statement or outline of the problem to be addressed, a preliminary indication of argument and method, and a representative bibliography. Students have six months from the date on which they receive a grade for their general exams (including the summer for those taking generals in May) in which to complete the prospectus, in consultation with members of their committee. The prospectus will then be reviewed by the committee for formal approval in a meeting at which the student is present.
Important University and Departmental Regulations1. The Graduate School requires that students maintain a B average in order to remain in good standing. 2. The departmental faculty strongly discourages students from taking an In complete in a course. The Department of Romance Languages and Literatures adheres strictly to the policies established by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences regarding unfinished coursework. Graduate students in Romance Languages and Literatures may commit to writing a maximum of three article-length research papers per term. Students assigned such papers in 100-level courses should petition for an alternate assignment, such as an exam, a series of smaller papers, etc. Students should consult the graduate coordinator regarding administrative procedures for this. 3. Students must make up Incomplete grades before sitting for examinations. 4. Students must satisfy the Latin (or other language) requirement before taking examinations. 5. Students who have not met all the requirements for the AM degree may not hold appointments as teaching fellows. 6. Detailed regulations concerning residence requirements and credit for work done elsewhere may be found in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Handbook
Financial Aid1. Financial aid is awarded on the basis of merit and need. 2. Awards may take a variety of forms, including grants-in-aid toward tuition, cash stipends, summer travel subsidies, teaching fellowships, loans, exchanges with universities abroad, etc., to be determined by the personal circumstances and academic progress of the individual graduate student. 3. All initial awards of financial aid (living stipend, tuition, and fees) to incoming students will be guaranteed for the first four years of residence providing that satisfactory performance is maintained. Once a student demonstrates a readiness to finish the dissertation within one year, he or she can expect stipend and coverage of tuition and fees for that final year. 4. Graduate students are encouraged to compete for several prizes and traveling fellowships for work in Romance languages and literatures. Information may be obtained through the GSAS Fellowships Office and the graduate coordinator. 5. For further details, see the Financial Aid section of the GSAS Guide to Admission and Financial Aid.
Application ProceduresFurther information regarding courses and programs of study in Romance languages and literatures may be obtained by visiting the department’s Website at www.fas.harvard.edu/~rll, or by writing to the Graduate Coordinator, Department of Romance Languages and Literatures, 406 Boylston Hall, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138. Applications for admission and financial aid may be obtained by writing to the Admissions Office, Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, 1350 Massachusetts Avenue, Holyoke Center 350, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138. They are also available online at https://apply.embark.com/grad/harvard/gsas/22 beginning each year in the early fall. Applications for admission should be accompanied by a recent sample of the student’s scholarly written work (e.g., a term paper, senior thesis, master’s essay, etc.) in English or the appropriate Romance language, treating a topic in the Romance literature of interest. The GRE General Examination is required; applicants should be sure to take this test in time for results to arrive by January 2. Non-native speakers of English who do not hold degrees from English-speaking institutions are required to take the TOEFL examination. Details concerning special requirements, curriculum and examination procedures in these areas may be obtained from the appropriate director of graduate studies or the graduate coordinator.
Faculty ListFrench Janet Beizer, Professor of Romance Languages and Literatures, BA, Cornell University; PhD, Yale University. Interests: 19th- and 20th-century French literature, feminist studies, narrative theory, psychoanalysis and literature, cultural studies, literature and medicine, biography/autobiography. Tom Conley, Abbott Lawrence Lowell Professor of Romance Languages and Literatures, MA, Columbia University; PhD, University of Wisconsin. Interests: Early Modern French literature; film and media studies; intersection of literature and graphic imagination. Verena Conley, Visiting Professor of Literature and of Romance Languages and Literatures, BA, MA, PhD, University of Wisconsin, Madison. Interests: Modern French and comparative literature; contemporary cultural theory; ecology and technology. Virginie Greene, Loeb Professor of Romance Languages and Literatures and of History and Literature, and Harvard College Professor, Licence, Maîtrise, Université de Paris IV, Sorbonne; PhD, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Interests: French medieval literature; Proust and his times; time, death, and subjectivity; images and texts (illuminated manuscripts); literature and logic. Sylvaine Guyot, Assistant Professor of Romance Languages and Literatures, PhD, University of Paris (Sorbonne). Interests: 17th-century French Literature, 16th to 18th-century French Theater, Classical Tragedy, Early Modern poetics and aesthetics; practice, theory, and social history of the performance arts; visual culture as an historical and a contemporary issue; representations and social practices of the human body. Francis Abiola Irele, Visiting Professor of Afro-American Studies and of Romance Languages and Literatures, AB, University of London; Certificat de Professeur de Français à l’etranger, University of Paris; PhD, University of Paris (Sorbonne). Interests: Contemporary thought in French-speaking Africa; Francophone African and Caribbean literature; Harlem Renaissance and Negritude Movement. Alice A. Jardine, Professor of Romance Languages and Literatures and the Committee on Degrees in Studies of Women, Gender, and Sexuality, AB, Ohio State University; AM, MPhil, PhD, Columbia University. Interests: 20th- and 21st-century French and Francophone literature; feminist theory; women, gender, and sexuality studies; culture, arts, and politics; postmodern and trans-modern theories of culture and society; the American 1950s. Christie McDonald Smith, Professor of the French Language and Literature, BA, Mount Holyoke College; PhD, Yale University. Interests: 18th- and 20th-century French literature; literary theory and cultural studies; feminism; questions of change in thought; the dialogue of literature and criticism with other disciplines. Mylène Priam, Assistant Professor of Romance Languages and Literatures, Maîtrise in English Studies, DEA, Université de Cergy-Pontoise; PhD, University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. Interests: Francophone literature. José Rabasa, Visiting Professor of Romance Languages and Literatures, PhD, University of California at Santa Cruz. Interests: Colonial and Postcolonial Studies, Subaltern Studies, Historiography, Critical Theory. Susan R. Suleiman, C. Douglas Dillon Professor of the Civilization of France and Professor of Comparative Literature, AB, Barnard College; AM, PhD, Harvard University. Interests: 20th-century French literature and culture; avant-garde movements and theories of the avant-garde; feminist theory; problems of narrative; writers and politics; film and literature of the Holocaust.
Italian Francesco Erspamer, Professor of Romance Languages and Literatures, Diploma di perfezionamento in Filologia moderna, Università di Roma. Interests: Renaissance culture; intellectual history; modern and contemporary Italian novel; literature and politics. Giuliana Minghelli, Associate Professor of Romance Languages and Literatures, MA and PhD, Johns Hopkins University. Interests: Italian modernism; geography and memory in postwar Italian literature and film; contemporary women writers. Lino Pertile, Harvard College Professor and Carl A. Pescosolido Professor of Romance Languages and Literatures, Dottore in Lettere, University of Padua. Interests: Dante and the Latin Middle Ages; Bembo and the “questione della lingua”; Renaissance literature in France and Italy; Foscolo and Leopardi; contemporary Italian novel.
PortugueseJoaquim-Francisco Coelho, Nancy Clark Smith Professor of the Languages and Literature of Portugal and Professor of Comparative Literature, AB (Law), University of Pará, Brazil; AM, PhD (Hispanic Studies), University of Wisconsin at Madison. Interests: comparative literature; Hispanic literature; Camões; Fernando Pessoa; Machado de Assis; theory and practice of translation.
Spanish Luis Cárcamo-Huechante, Associate Professor of Romance Languages and Literatures, AB, Universidad Austral de Chile; AM, University of Oregon; PhD, Cornell University. Interests: Intersections between economic, literary, and cultural discourses, with emphasis on “the fictions of the market” in modern and contemporary Latin America; poetry, economics, and politics; indigenous radio in the Americas, with focus on the Mapuche experience. Bradley Epps, Professor of Romance Languages and Literatures and the Committee on Degrees in Studies of Women, Gender, and Sexuality, AB, Wake Forest University; AM, University of Virginia; PhD, Brown University. Interests: 19th- and 20th-century Spanish and Latin American literature; Catalan language and literature; French and Anglo-American literature; critical theory; gender studies; modernism and postmodernism; gay, lesbian, and queer studies; immigration; urban studies. Luis Fernández Cifuentes, Robert S. and Ilse Friend Professor of Romance Languages and Literatures, Harvard College Professor, AB, Universidad Complutense, Madrid; PhD, Princeton University. Interests: contemporary Spanish and Latin American literature; 19th-century narrative; Romantic thought; autobiography; cultural studies; travel literature; The City; The Body. Mary Malcolm Gaylord, Sosland Family Professor of Romance Languages and Literatures, AB, Wellesley College; AM, Middlebury College; PhD, Harvard University. Interests: Medieval and Golden-Age Spanish literature; Latin American colonial literature; Hispanic poetry of all periods; poetics; literary theory; history and the novel; Cervantes; comparative study of early Romance languages. Luis Girón Negrón, Professor of Comparative Literature and Romance Languages and Literatures, AB, MTS, PhD, Harvard University. Interests: Medieval and Golden Age Spanish literature; medieval, Arabic, Latin, and Hebrew literatures; history of religions; comparative literature. Mariano Siskind, Assistant Professor of Romance Languages and Literatures, PhD, New York University. Interests: 19th- and 20th-century Latin American literature, travel writing, histories and theories of globalization, Marxism, deconstruction, critical articulations of literature and philosophy. Doris Sommer, Ira Jewell Williams Professor of Romance Languages and Literatures, AB, Douglas College; PhD, Rutgers University. Interests: 19th-century narrative in Latin America; aesthetics; bilingualism; gender. Diana Sorensen, James F. Rothenberg Professor of Romance Languages and Literatures and of Comparative Literature; Dean for the Arts and Humanities, AB, in Letras, Universidad de Buenos Aires; AM, PhD, Columbia University. Interests: 19th- and 20th-century Latin American studies; history and memory.
Recent Dissertations CompletedBruno Carvalho (Portuguese): New City in a New World: literary spaces of an afro-jewish Brazilian neighborhood. Advisor: Nicolau Sevcenko. Christian Claesson (Spanish): Circumscriptions: Relations between Place, Space, and Meaning in Juan Carlos Onetti and Juan José Saer. Advisor: Diana Sorensen Sara Kippur (French): The Translingual Self: Life-Writing across Languages in the Works of Hector Bianciotti, Jorge Semprun, and Raymond Federman. Advisor: Susan Suleiman. María Ospina (Spanish): Evocar y convocar: Violencia y representación en la narrativa colombiana de fines de siglo XX (1994-2008). Advisor: Doris Sommer. Felisa Reynolds (French): “Almost the same, but not quite/Almost the same but not white”: The question of Literary Cannibalism. Advisor: Tom Conley. Joaquin Terrones (Spanish): 1935-1938: The ethics of excess in Borges, Lezsama, Stevens, and Gorostiza. Advisor: Doris Sommer. Vickie Tillson (Italian): “Demythifying” Rome: Marginalized Society and Urbanism in 1950s Literature and Film. Advisor: Francesco Erspamer. |