English

Dalhousie University’s Doctor of Philosophy in English programme explores an area of academic research and literary, social, and cultural history. Many graduates hold tenured or tenure-stream university appointments, others have found successful careers in publishing, college teaching, immigration education, digital humanities, information technology, and academic administration.

Dalhousie University ‘s Doctor of Philosophy in  English programme was begun in 1967, and graduates are now teaching in universities throughout Canada, and around the world.

The study of English includes both the analysis of texts and awareness of contexts. The kinds of texts that are analysed in English courses range from the classic to the contemporary, from handwritten letters, medieval romances, Shakespearian tragedies, morality plays and epic tales to videogames, protest songs, cartoons, detective novels and students’ own academic essays.  The wide range of human experience represented in these texts can provide the student with what Kenneth Burke has called “equipment for living.” In more practical terms, the discipline of English fosters the development of various human skills: it requires the student to think, and to use language with clarity, judgment, and imagination.

Possible careers include:

• Publishing

• College teaching

• Immigration education

• Digital humanities

• Information technology

• Academic administration

Programme options

Thesis: Pursue independent and original research guided by a supervisor to develop and defend your thesis. 

Courses include: 

• Language Requirement – PhD

• Qualifying Examination

• PhD Thesis