Doctor of Philosophy Program
Areas
| Affiliations | Admission
| Requirements | Application
Process
The Ph.D. program is designed to serve prospective teachers, critics, and scholars in theatre studies. Also, in support of the scholarly degree, it provides some training opportunities in production. Each candidate, working with an adviser, develops an individual program of study that includes not only a wide range of general courses in history, critical theory, dramatic literature, performance analysis, and research methods but also a specialized group of courses in the candidate's areas of interest. Each candidate also selects at least one area of production for training (acting, directing, design, or dramaturgy). In addition, candidates have the opportunity to take courses taught by adjunct faculty outside the department. Candidates will thus develop a strong foundation in theatre studies; they will also be able to design special programs of study, appropriate to their backgrounds and professional aims.
Areas of Study
Theatre history and historiography, critical and dramatic theory, genre history and theory, production analysis and dramaturgy, women and theatre, archival access and training, contemporary performance arts, and design technology; Russian theatre, Greek theatre, ancient and modern, Asian theatre, English and American theatre and drama.
Departmental Affiliations
The doctoral program has close ties to the Lawrence and Lee Theatre Research Institute, a major archive in theatre studies. The Director, Alan Woods, and the Curator, Nena Couch, work directly with doctoral students on study and research projects. In addition, the Department of Theatre is affiliated with The Wexner Center for the Arts, a contemporary arts center and educational program at OSU, with a wide range of local, national, and international presentations in the visual and performance arts, film, video, and architecture. Also the university is a member of the Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC), an exchange program that allows students to study at other Big Ten universities and the University of Chicago. Exchange opportunities also exist with foreign universities. In addition, the Department of Theatre has developed a summer study program in London.
Admission
The Ph.D. applicant must meet the requirements for admission to the Graduate School of The Ohio State University, have substantial undergraduate work in theatre or related fields, have a Master's degree (M.A. or M.F.A.) in theatre or performance studies, show interest and achievement in theatre production, and present evidence of promise in scholarship (e.g., sample essays that reflect a high level of competence in research, analysis, and expository writing.) Also the applicant must present satisfactory Graduate Record Examination scores (and TOEFL scores for foreign students), provide college transcripts and a statement of purpose, and have three letters of recommendation sent directly to the Department of Theatre. Applicants should make every effort to begin the program in the Autumn Quarter of the academic year.
General Program Requirements
Residence: OSU operates on the quarter system. A minimum residency of three quarters (summer excluded) is required, with at least 10 graduate credit hours each quarter.
Enrollment: The course offerings and the procedures for course registration are spelled out in the OSU Course Bulletin and Master Schedule. The Department of Theatre also provides a list each quarter of courses being offered. Students holding 50% or greater Graduate Associateships are required by the Graduate School to register for a minimum of 9 graduate credit hours per quarter. Students holding Graduate Fellowships are required by the Graduate School to register for a minimum of 15 graduate credit hours per quarter (including the summer usually). Most classes carry five credits.
Degree Credit Hours and Requirements: Beyond the M.A. degree, the Ph.D. degree requires a minimum of 90 credit hours (including the credit hours for the dissertation). No more than one third of the required courses may be transferred from another institution (30 credit hours). Each candidate is evaluated annually by the doctoral faculty and the Graduate Committee. A candidate's continuation in the program and financial aid depend upon satisfactory work and timely progress.
Adviser: Each doctoral candidate will be assigned an interim academic adviser at the beginning of the first quarter of residence. The candidate is responsible for choosing a permanent adviser by Spring quarter during the second year. This adviser will normally serve as the dissertation director.
Candidacy Examination: Each student will complete a minimum of 45 graduate credit hours in courses, seminars, and projects before taking the Candidacy Examination. The Candidacy Examination, written over three days, should demonstrate scholarly competence in three major areas of theatre studies (history, literature, theory and criticism). In addition, the candidate is examined on an area of specialization. An oral examination will be given by the same examining committee for which the student has written.
Foreign Language: Prior to the Candidacy Examination, the student is required to demonstrate a comprehensive reading proficiency in one foreign language or reading proficiency with dictionary in two foreign languages.
Prospectus : Each candidate, after passing the Candidacy Examination, must prepare a dissertation prospectus (normally 10-20 pages), with a selective bibliography. This prospectus must be approved by the dissertation committee. The prospectus should be approved within a maximum of six months after the student passes the Candidacy Examination. Extensions of time require the approval of the dissertation director and the dissertation committee.
Dissertation: The student must complete a satisfactory dissertation in theatre studies within five years following the successful completion of the Candidacy Examination. An oral examination on the dissertation will be conducted by the student's dissertation committee and a representative of the Graduate School. The dissertation must be prepared according to departmental guidelines.
Deadlines, Application and Admission Process
Deadlines, Application and Admission Process details for the Graduate program may be found by following this link.
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