Graduate Student Handbook: Part II 
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Language Requirement
The Language requirement serves two primary purposes: It ensures that students can read primary and secondary material in another language or two for their research, and it ensures that students are familiar with one of the fundamental bases of cultural difference. For a detailed discussion of the importance of language study, see "Why Graduate Students in English Literature Should Know Foreign Languages" by Michael Ferber.
Language examinations are required of three sets of students: Master's students in Literature, Master's students in English Language and Linguistics, and all PhD students.
M.A. Students are required to demonstrate competence in a foreign language, both for its intrinsic value and for its value as a tool for the humanistic scholar. Either of the following options may be chosen to demonstrate this competence:
Option 1
Passing a reading knowledge test administered by the English Department, in which one printed page is to be translated in an hour with the aid of a dictionary. Passages will be either from literature or criticism. In appropriate cases, exams can be set in certain historical periods of a language--in Renaissance rather than Classical Latin, for example. Exams will generally be held twice (November and March) in an academic year. Students should take the exam early in their graduate careers to allow time to retake it if necessary. No student will be allowed to repeat an exam in the same semester that he or she failed it.
Option 2
Passing a fourth-semester college-level course in one foreign language with at least the grade of B.
Doctoral students are expected to complete either Option 1 or Option 2 of the language requirement:
Option 1
A student may demonstrate basic proficiency in two foreign languages, as evidenced by passing grades on translation exams to be administered by the department. Students will be allowed to waive one or both translation exams by demonstrating a grade of B or better in a fourth semester (or higher) undergraduate course in the language.
Option 2
A student may demonstrate advanced proficiency of one foreign language. Advanced proficiency must be demonstrated in one of the following ways:
• The requirement will be waived for students who are native speakers of another language.
• The student may take a relevant 700 level literature class (the literature must be read in the relevant language), and pass with a grade of B or better.
• The student may show coursework in an undergraduate or M.A. program equivalent to a 700 level literature class (with literature read in the relevant language) with a grade of B or better.
• The new advanced exam requires translation of a longer passage in two hours. We expect a demonstration of nearly complete comprehension of the passage.
• The student may propose a special project, for example, a program of readings in the language, supervised by an appropriate member of the faculty. This project might result in a paper of no less than 20 pages using substantial original translations of the readings and demonstrating the student's close reading skills in the language. The student must submit a short written proposal to the Graduate Committee for approval of this option. (The student may not combine this option with any independent study taken for credit toward the advanced degree).
NOTE: Language examinations are not given on demand. Except under unusual circumstances the language examination will be given only once each semester. You are strongly encouraged to complete this requirement early in your program. PhD students are expected to complete their language requirements before taking qualifying examinations.
Checklist
- Sign up for the appropriate language examination with the Graduate Administrative Assistant during the sign-up week listed in the deadlines memo.
- If you wish, ask the assistant for practice examinations.
- On the day of your examination, bring paper, pen or pencil, and a dictionary.
- If you wish to claim waiver of the examination on the basis of foreign language coursework, consult the Graduate Coordinator. This waiver must be requested and is not automatic.
Graduate Coursework
Unlike undergraduate classes, which usually emphasize introduction to and exploration of broad areas of study, graduate study usually involves intensive study of narrow topics. The reading is often demanding, both in intellectual content and in quantity, and you will be asked to respond with a new kind of sophistication and precision. If you find yourself overwhelmed in a class, do not suffer in silence--see the professor as soon as possible for help. Often he or she can offer you strategies for handling the load or suggest books or articles that can introduce you to a subject area.
As a graduate student, you should give considerable thought to your overall program of study. That program of study should be consciously shaped, tailored to your career goals and intellectual development. In some cases, you may want to fill in gaps in your undergraduate education; in other cases, you may wish to focus on a well-defined area (or areas) of expertise or you may choose to take courses that will sharpen your academic skills or open new modes of inquiry. You may wish to discuss your studies with your dissertation advisor or the Graduate Coordinator, particularly if you anticipate needing a certain class for your program of study.
To aid in your planning, the English Department has constructed a tentative two-year plan for its graduate offerings on www.unhinfo.unh.edu/english/grad.html. Please note that this plan is subject to change. Even so, it can give you a rough idea of what will be offered at the graduate level in the next two years.
It is expected that you will do your graduate coursework in the University of New Hampshire English Department. However, with special permission you may take as many as two courses in other UNH departments for credit toward your graduate degree. Those courses must be approved in advance at time of pre-registration by the Graduate Coordinator and Graduate Committee.
Graduate coursework completed at other universities and colleges will be transferred for credit toward a UNH graduate degree on an ad hoc basis, in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator and Graduate Committee. Such transfers should be discussed early in your program or before you take an off-campus course. PhD students cannot count coursework for their Master's degree toward PhD course requirements. Students must supply all documentation for courses offered for transfer credit; weekend or short-term conferences or workshops are not eligible for graduate credit.
In the case of PhD students, coursework is explicitly only a part of your preparation for examinations and the dissertation. You will be expected to read systematically and independently, that is, outside of your formal coursework, in order to build expertise in your areas of study. The graduate faculty will help you find essential or useful works in your areas.
Independent Studies
Independent studies are a means for students to pursue advanced graduate study in areas not covered by the department’s regular graduate course offerings. Independent studies should be undertaken only with graduate English faculty and only when courses are not regularly offered in that specific area; independent studies presume prior course work in the proposed field. Since you will be earning graduate credit for independent study, such a course will require regular contact with your professor, involve substantial and graduate-level reading, and result in a substantial writing project (or projects). All elements of the class--the nature of and rationale for its topic, its readings and written projects, the schedule of your meetings with the professor--must be specified in detail in an independent study proposal, which must be approved by the faculty sponsor and by the Graduate Coordinator before you register for the class. A guideline sheet and proposal form for independent study proposals are available in the Graduate Office. Before you propose an independent study, you should check the tentative schedule of future graduate offerings on www.unh.edu/english to see if a class will be offered that will satisfy your needs. It is also prudent to discuss your proposed independent study with the Coordinator of Graduate Studies before you write your proposal.
Even if you make a good case for an independent study, we must add, you are not guaranteed one. Many professors feel overworked, and may decline to accomodate you. Or they may set limits on how often you meet together or how much they will read. Most professors are generous with their time, but there is only so much of it. Do remember that the independent studies are not private tutorials: your study will be largely independent!
The following restrictions govern the taking of independent studies:
- Master's students may take an independent study only after completing a year (i.e., two semesters) of graduate coursework. Master's students may take no more than one independent study (in addition to English 998) toward their degree.
- PhD students may take an independent study only after completing four courses (two of them seminars, i.e., 900-level courses). PhD students may take no more than two independent studies toward their degree.
- Students with more than one incomplete may not pursue an independent study.
NOTE: you may not take an incomplete in an independent study except in the most dire of circumstances. In such cases, see the Coordinator of Graduate Studies.
Deadlines for submitting independent study proposals:
* For the fall semester: at time of pre-registration for the fall semester.
* For the spring semester: at time of pre-registration for the spring semester.
* For the summer semester: at time of pre-registration for the fall semester.
Independent Study Checklist
Master's candidates:
- Complete at least one full year of graduate coursework (i.e., two semesters).
PhD candidates:
- Complete at least four courses (two of them seminars, i.e., 900-level courses).
In the semester before you take your independent study:
- Check the tentative schedule for future graduate offerings to see if a class offered in a subsequent semester will fulfill your needs.
- Find a supervising professor to direct your independent study. Discuss the course requirements and schedule of meetings.
- Draft an independent study proposal. A guideline sheet and proposal form are available in the Graduate Office. Share a copy of the guidelines with your sponsor.
- Submit your independent study to the Graduate Coordinator for approval. (Without exception, proposals must be submitted at the time of pre-registration). If the Graduate Coordinator requires it, revise your proposal.
- Upon approval of your proposal, register for English 995. NOTE: no student may register for an independent study without prior approval of his or her proposal.
Internships
An internship is regarded as a special type of independent study. For that reason, you are advised to read the section on independent studies closely before applying for an internship. Graduate students may receive credit for interning only under the following conditions:
* In the semester prior to the internship, you must indicate in an Independent Study proposal the course in which you propose to be an intern, the work that will be expected of you as an intern, and the additional reading and writing you intend to do for the course. This proposal must be approved by the time of pre-registration by both the faculty member teaching the course and the Graduate Committee.
* You may intern only in 500-level courses or in 600-level writing workshops, including English 621. Internships will be permitted in other 600-level courses only under special circumstances and with prior approval of the Graduate Committee. You may not intern in 700-level courses or graduate courses for any reason.
* Students proposing internships must already have done graduate level work in the subject area of the internship.
* As an intern, you may read and comment on student work, as long as the faculty member does so as well. However, as an intern you will have no part in the evaluation or assessment of students in the course.
* As an intern, you may lecture or lead classes only under the direct supervision of the faculty member (normally the faculty member will be present in the room). Only in emergency situations should you lead a class without the instructor being present.
* As an intern, you can not lead more than two full class sessions, or the equivalent in terms of partial class session.
You may intern only once for credit.
The English Department offers an ESL internship (English 994). See the ESL director for information about this course.
Policies and Procedures
Pre-registration and Registration
The English Graduate Program observes the following procedure for for graduate classes:
* obtain the course offerings and form from the Graduate Administrative Assistant at time of pre-pregistration. The form and course offerings will be distributed to you in your mailbox and emailed to you; additional copies are available in the Graduate Office. Course offerings will also be posted on the departmental webpage.
* choose your courses, in consultation with your assigned advisor. Pay very close attention to all requirements for your degree program; if you aren't sure whether a given course satisfies a given requirement, ask before taking the course.
* turn in your form to the Graduate Administrative Assistant. She will collate the forms and let you know what courses you are informally pre-registered for, and what waiting lists exist. If you are registering for an independent study or Master's paper, you must submit a proposal at the time of pre-registration. The pre-registration period for the spring semester occurs in mid to late November; the pre-registration period for the fall semester occurs in mid to late April.
* once you have received your official pre-registration form, follow the directions on the form for registering online. Please note: the English department does not register for you. You must register online to be officially enrolled.
In many cases, the Financial Aid Office will require you to file a form which confirms your financial aid status with the department (even if you are not receiving financial aid). This green form may be signed by the Graduate Administrative Assistant.
Adding and Dropping Courses
Please consult the Graduate catalogue for regulations on dropping, adding, or withdrawing from graduate sources. Deadlines for drop/add and withdrawal are published each semester in the Time and Room Schedule. Note that the Graduate Coordinator must approve all drops, adds, and withdrawals, so you will need to plan ahead to get the proper signatures by the appropriate deadline. The Graduate Administrative Assistant is not authorized to sign your add-drop form.
Students are advised that financial aid often requires full-time enrollment in the program (i.e., at least nine credit hours of coursework each semester). If you are on financial aid, please consult your financial aid appointment letter or the Financial Aid office before dropping to part-time status in the program. Each semester the Financial Aid Office will ask you to complete a form outlining what aid (if any) you are receiving from the English Department. The Graduate Administrative Assistant is authorized to sign these forms.
Continuing Credit
If you are not taking classes but have not completed your program, you are required to register for continuing credit to maintain your active status in the program. (If you do not register for continuing credit, the Graduate School will assume that you have dropped out of graduate school and send you a letter of warning. Maintaining continuing credit may also bear on whether your educational loans will come due or not). You should register for GRAD 800 (part-time credit) each semester. The fee for this continuing credit is $150. Continuing credit does not count toward your degree requirements.
PhD students who have completed coursework and are reading for their examinations should register for English 996 (Reading and Research). PhD students who have passed their qualifying examinations should register for English 999 (Doctoral Research). English 996 is a variable credit course; English 999 automatically confers full-time status.
Consult the Graduate Catalogue for more extensive information about the special fees and regulations associated with continuing credit.
Incompletes
As a graduate student, you will be expected to produce quality work according to deadlines, a task that will require considerable advance planning and discipline on your part. An incomplete will be issued only in extraordinary circumstances, in the case of severe illness, personal tragedy, a death in your family, or the like. It is your responsibility to supply documentation of your circumstances to the professor of the course. Incompletes are explicitly not designed to allow you "to do your best work" or to extend deadlines. If special circumstances persist that prevent you from meeting deadlines, you should discuss a leave of absence with the Graduate Coordinator.
If circumstances necessitate your asking for an incomplete, you should discuss your situation with the professor in person before making your request. If this is not possible (say, in the case of an emergency), call the professor or send him or her a letter explaining your situation. Please note that simply asking for an incomplete does not mean that you will be granted one. The professor will judge your circumstances and decide whether your situation warrants an incomplete. It is very important that you maintain contact with your professor and let him or her know as soon as possible about any problems you may be experiencing. If you simply disappear during the semester and appear later on, you place the professor in a very awkward situation and considerably narrow your options for completing the course successfully. Students who stop attending class and have not contacted the professor are given an AF (Administrative Failure).
According to Graduate School regulations, grades for incompletes are due by the final day of the semester following. (For example, for an incomplete taken for the spring semester, the grade is due by the final day of the fall semester). To allow the professor sufficient time to evaluate your work, you should turn in all outstanding work for an incomplete at least two weeks before the final day of classes. Even so, your professor may choose to grant you an incomplete on the condition that you turn in your work by a particular date earlier than the Graduate School deadline. In such a case, you should write the professor a letter that details the arrangements the two of you have agreed to; keep a copy for yourself. If work is not completed or turned in after the deadline, the incomplete will automatically convert to an F. You should be aware that a notation of your incomplete will appear in your graduate transcript.
Students should be aware that the Graduate School frowns on Teaching Assistants having an outstanding incomplete during any semester they teach. Incompletes also bear upon financial aid decisions made by the department.
Dismissal
You will be dismissed from the program if you have more than nine hours of failing grades. "Failing grades" are defined by the Graduate School as grades lower than B-, including C or C+. Repeating a course will not remove or replace the failing grade on your record.
Leave of Absence
You can apply for a leave of absence if you are experiencing chronic or continuing problems of an extraordinary nature that prevent you from completing your degree. Before applying, you should discuss your situation with the Graduate Coordinator. Applications for leaves of absence are available at the Office of the Graduate School in Thompson Hall.
Resignation
If you hold a teaching assistantship or tuition scholarship and wish to resign from the program, please send copies of your letter of resignation to the Graduate Coordinator, the English Department Chair, the Coordinator of Composition, and the Dean of the Graduate School. If you are having difficulty balancing your teaching and class work, it would be prudent to speak with the Graduate Coordinator and the Coordinator of Composition in person before considering resignation.
Extension of Deadlines for Completing Degrees
You are required to complete your Master's program within six years of matriculation; you are required to complete your PhD program within seven years of matriculation (unless you entered the PhD program with a Master's in something other than English). If you cannot complete your degree by the deadline for your program, you may apply for an extension. You should do so well before the deadline passes, or you will be asked to reapply to the program (and will be charged the applicable fees). Applications for petitioning for variances in policy to the Graduate School are available in the Office of the Graduate School in Thompson Hall and in the Graduate English Office. The application must be approved and signed by your dissertation director, the Graduate Coordinator, and the Graduate Dean, so allow sufficient time for the paperwork to circulate.
NOTE: Extensions are not automatic, so you should explain your situation fully on the application form. Extensions are granted in the case of special circumstances and require that you demonstrate that you have made significant progress toward your degree. Normally, evidence of significant progress must take the form of completed written work that is acceptable to your readers or dissertation committee. Second extensions are even more rarely granted.
If you are having difficulty completing your degree within the deadline, you should discuss your situation with readers or with your dissertation director and the Graduate Coordinator before applying for an extension. As deadlines for extensions come closer, your options will narrow, so make sure to keep in close contact with your readers, or with your advisor, committee, and the Graduate Coordinator, informing them as early as possible about your difficulties with meeting deadlines.
Reinstatement
The procedure for being reinstated in the graduate program varies according to the circumstances under which you left the university. In some cases, you may be asked to apply for reinstatement to the Graduate School and to pay for continuing credit during the semesters you were absent. See the Graduate Coordinator or the Graduate School for more information.
There is a strict time limit for completing your degree. (See Extensions of Deadlines for Completing Degrees above). Students who wish to resume their graduate studies after these deadlines will be asked to reapply to the program.
Harassment
The English Department supports the University's policies against harassment. Those policies are outlined in University handbook on harassment, available in the Graduate Office and also in the Affirmative Action Office. This handbook includes a statement of University policies on harassment, definitions of harassment, and various resources and procedures for pursuing complaints. Feel free to ask the English Graduate Administrative Assistant for a copy. Graduate teaching assistants are especially advised to familiarize themselves with the University's policies.
The University provides informal and formal avenues for you to pursue grievances. These are detailed in the handbook Among the many resources available to you on this matter are the English Department Chair and the Graduate Coordinator. Please feel welcome to speak with either of them about your complaints or concerns. You can also speak to the Dean of Liberal Arts, the Graduate Dean, the Affirmative Action Office, or SHARPP, as well as many others in the handbook.
Financial Aid
Aid will be given only to students who are taking courses toward the completion of their degrees. You are encouraged to apply for as many of these awards as you are eligible, for you cannot be considered for an award for which you did not apply. Other forms of financial aid--research assistantships, work-study, etc.--occasionally become available. See the Graduate Coordinator for more details.
Financial aid awards are made twice a year, in the fall and spring semesters. You must apply each semester to be considered. Notices will be sent to all students well before the deadline for application. Pay close attention to this deadline, since applications received after the deadline will not be considered. The number of awards available varies widely from semester to semester. Awards are made by the Graduate Committee in consultation with the graduate faculty. The primary criterion is academic achievement.
If you are offered an award, you will receive a written offer detailing the nature and conditions of the award. Please send the Graduate Coordinator a written acceptance letter within ten days of receiving your award letter.
For loans and grants not administered by the English Department, please contact the Financial Aid Office at 862-3600. In some cases, an interview is necessary to process your application. Make sure to ask about this and any relevant deadlines when you apply.
The English Department awards aid to graduate students primarily in three forms:
Teaching Assistantship
A teaching assistant teaches one course each semester; teaching assistants must be full-time students in the English graduate program. Teaching assistants receive free tuition and an annual stipend, currently $13,500 in the first year for MA and MFA students and $14,400 for Ph.D students, who enter the program with an MA degree.. MA and beginning MFA and PhD students are assigned English 401; a few students with appropriate training may be assigned English 400/600 (English as a Second Language). Advanced MFA and PhD students may be offered 500-level literature or composition courses in their third or fourth years in the program. In the first semester of teaching English 401, all teaching assistants are required to take English 910. In the first semester of teaching English 400/600, teaching assistants are required to take an ESL methodology course (English 815 or 816). Graduate students must orient their assigned course to the applicable departmental guidelines for that class.
All teaching assistants teaching a 500-level literature or composition course for the first time will be assigned a faculty mentor, even if you have taught a similar course at another institution. (Each time you teach a new course--rather than repeating a course you have already taught--you will be assigned a faculty mentor). The purpose of faculty mentoring is to provide the teaching assistant guidance from a seasoned teacher of the course. Your faculty mentor will aid you in the planning of the course, offer guidance and support during the semester, observe your teaching, read your course evaluations and discuss them with you, and write a detailed letter about your teaching. This letter will be a valuable part of your job application dossier. For more information, see the Graduate Coordinator. Assignment of faculty mentors occurs in the middle of the semester before you will be teaching.
Tuition Scholarship
Tuition scholarships pay for the student's tuition (though not all student fees). Students receiving tuition scholarships must be full-time students in the English graduate program.
Elizabeth Jones Scholarship
Elizabeth Jones Scholarships are available only to students enrolled in the MFA Writing program. According to the terms of the scholarship, candidates must be unmarried. These financial awards vary in amount from year to year. You cannot receive a Teaching Assistantship and an Elizabeth Jones Scholarship at the same time, but you may receive a Tuition Scholarship and an Elizabeth Jones Scholarship at the same time. Students receiving Elizabeth Jones Scholarships must be full-time students in the English graduate program.
Part-time Tuition Scholarships
A limited number of part-time tuition scholarships are available to part-time graduate students. These are awarded on a competitive basis through the Graduate School, not through the English Department. For application information, contact the Graduate Coordinator, the Graduate Administrative Assistant, or the Graduate School.
Prizes and Awards
The English Department makes a number of awards to graduate students for outstanding achievement:
Ann Pazo Mayberry Award
Established by George Coan, a former poetry graduate student at UNH, in memory of his aunt, this annual award is made to an out-of-state graduate master's student in poetry who has financial need and has demonstrated excellence in poetry writing. The recipient is chosen by the professors of poetry and will receive a modest financial award.
Tom Williams Award
This award, in memory of UNH English Professor Tom Williams, is given for the best short story produced at UNH in an academic year. Competition is open to undergraduate and graduate students. The recipient is chosen by the professors of fiction-writing and will receive a modest financial award.
Graduate Student Teaching Awards
The English Department has established two annual awards that recognize the superior teaching of one of our Master’s candidates and one of our PhD candidates: the Award for Excellence in Teaching by a Master’s Degree Candidate in English, and the Award for Excellence in Teaching by a Doctoral Candidate in English. The recipients are chosen by the Graduate Committee in consultation with the Director of Undergraduate Composition and, in the case of PhD students, faculty mentors for that year. Self-nominations and nominations by faculty and students are encouraged. The purpose of these awards is to acknowledge the often extraordinary work in the classroom carried out by graduate students on behalf of the department and the university.
Fanny Delisle Award
Named for Dr. Fanny Delisle, who in 1972 earned the first English Ph.D. at UNH, this award is given annually for the best graduate essay in literary studies. In 2002, the UNH English Department established this award to honor Dr. Delisle and to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its doctoral program. Any currently enrolled graduate student may compete, with the exception of previous winners of the award; the recipient is chosen by a committee of literature faculty and receives a modest financial award.
In addition, the Graduate School makes the following awards to graduate students for excellence in scholarship and teaching. The English Department nominates students for these awards:
Graduate Student Research/Scholarship/Creativity Award
Two awards are made annually, one to a Master’s student and one to a doctoral student. This award is designed to recognize graduate student research/scholarship and other creative work that represents the best overall contribution to the discipline. Nominees must have received their degrees in the calendar year prior to January 1 of the year in which students are being nominated.
Graduate Student Teaching Awards
Up to fours awards are made annually (2 for master’s students and 2 for doctoral students). Graduate Teaching Assistants contribute significantly to the teaching mission of the University. These awards are designed to recognize graduate students who have demonstrated excellence in teaching. Graduate students who are actively pursuing a degree in one of the graduate programs within the Graduate School and who have taught or played a significant instructional support role in one or more classes during the previous calendar year are eligible to be nominated. The award may only be received once at each level (master’s or doctoral) of a graduate student’s career.
Professional Development
Graduate school is professional school. You are strongly encouraged to begin developing your professional credentials by giving papers at conferences, by publishing, and by participating in professional organizations. Below are listed several opportunities and services the English Graduate program provides to support your professional development. For more information, consult the Graduate Coordinator.
Support for Professional Conferences
The English Department offers some modest support for graduate students who are giving a paper or chairing a session at a professional conference in their field. Because these awards are made on a first-come, first-serve basis, you should make application as soon as you can in the academic year. To apply, write a letter to the Graduate Coordinator requesting support; include the title of your paper (or session, if you are chairing a session), the conference and location at which it will be given, the dates of the conference, and an estimate of your anticipated expenses. The Graduate Coordinator will notify you in writing about the availability of support.
The Graduate School also offers modest support for graduate students who are giving a paper or chairing a session at a professional conference. These awards can be combined with support from the English Department. Awards are generally $200 per conference and are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. To apply, write to the Associate Dean of the Graduate School, requesting support. Include the title of your paper, the conference and location at which it will be given, the dates of the conference, and an estimate of your anticipated expenses. Include an acknowledgment that you have received support from the English Department (if you have). The Graduate School will notify you in writing about the availability of support. It is a courtesy to the Graduate School to thank them after the conference for supporting your work.
At present, the English Department and Graduate School do not offer financial support for attending professional conferences without giving a paper.
Support for Research
The English Department offers a little support for graduate research travel. Awards are intended to support travel to archives, collections, or other research sites necessary to complete a research project (such as a dissertation, a Master’s Paper, or an article or creative work meant for publication). As with funding to support travel to conferences, these awards are made on a first-come, first-serve basis; please note that the Department has fewer research awards to disperse. To apply, write a letter to the Graduate Coordinator requesting support in which you describe your project and explain why the proposed trip is necessary; include the title of your research project, the location and dates of the research for which you request funding, and an estimate of your anticipated expenses. Attach a brief note of endorsement from the faculty member advising you on the project. The Graduate Coordinator will notify you in writing about the availability of support. Awards will be made in amounts up to $200.
Summer Teaching Assistant Fellowships
The Graduate School offers grants to support well-defined research projects for teaching assistants during the summer. Both PhD students and first-year MA or MFA students (i.e., MA or MFA students who will be continuing their studies at UNH the following fall) are eligible. The awards in 2006 were for $3,000. The deadline for application is in February, with applications available from the Graduate School in January. The Graduate Coordinator will post notices of the exact deadline in the Graduate Office (it is also published in the Graduate School calendar). To apply, write a short and specific précis of your research project, describing why you need support and itemizing how the money will be used. You must also ask the Graduate Coordinator and a faculty member familiar with your work to write in support of your application.
Dissertation Fellowship Awards
In addition to the UNH Dissertation Fellowship (see the section on "program requirements: The Ph.D", various foundations and organizations offer dissertation fellowships of varying amounts to qualified students. These include Fulbright Fellowships, Spencer Fellowships, Charlotte Newcomb Fellowships, and others. Information about these grants can be found in the Graduate English Office. Deadlines and requirements are set by the granting organization. Note that these fellowships can require elaborate applications and that you will be competing against a national pool of applicants.
Special Events
The English Department also sponsors special events geared specifically to showcasing graduate student work or for introducing students to professional or scholarly issues. These include "First Fridays" (graduate student and faculty presentations of their research), the Graduate Student Readings, the Writers Series, and the Speakers Series.
First Fridays: Graduate Student and Faculty Talks
"First Fridays" is a series of individual talks, panels of papers, and workshops that allow graduate students and faculty to present academic work in progress or to discuss issues of interest to the academic community. These colloquia are held regularly on the first Friday of each month throughout the academic year. The atmosphere is informal and conversational, and you are strongly encouraged to attend. Many colloquia have been organized around essays written for UNH English courses. These colloquia offer you an excellent opportunity to present your own papers or to learn more about elements of academic life. Suggestions for colloquia topics are welcome. For more information, please contact the Graduate Coordinator.
Visiting Distinguished Writers Series and Graduate Student Readings
The Distinguished Writers Series offers a series of readings and workshops from nationally known writers of fiction, non-fiction and poetry. All graduate students are warmly encouraged to attend. For more information about this series contact the Writers Series Coordinator.
At the end of their graduate studies at UNH, all graduate students in the MA writing program give public readings of their work. These readings are scheduled for the final week of the semester, and all graduate students are invited to attend.
Distinguished Speakers Series
The Speakers Series brings distinguished scholars and intellectuals to present talks to the English Department on topics of wide interest or current debate. Talks are given throughout the school year and are announced in advance. Past speakers have included Noam Chomsky (linguist and political commentator), Henry Louis Gates (African-Americanist), and Barbara Hodgdon (Shakespearean). Some speakers are co-sponsored by other departments or programs. All graduate students are urged to attend. If you have a suggestion for a speaker or need more information on this series, it should be given to the Speaker Series Coordinator.
In addition to these regular series, the University also sponsors yearly speakers series of various sorts including the Sidore Lecture Series sponsored by the Center for the Humanities. In the recent past, we have had series on Political Correctness (featuring Stanley Fish and Nadine Strossen, among others) and Black and White (featuring Paul Gilroy and Michael Eric Dyson, among others), to name but two series. Graduate students are encouraged to attend these talks as part of their introduction to current intellectual debates.
Other Opportunities
The University offers a number of other opportunities for professional development and entertainment for graduate students. The Writing Center offers the possibility for learning about tutoring and literacy instruction. The Celebrity Series offers a number of cultural events each year, including world-class musical, theater, dance, and performance acts. The Memorial Union building features two movie theaters that show a variety of current and classic films; the Theater and Dance Department offer several programs of drama and dance each year; and the Music Department sponsors an ambitious program of musical recitals which are free and open to the public. The University Art Gallery puts on a number of shows each year. And the University sponsors a wide variety of conferences and events that are open to graduate students. You can keep apprised of these events by reading The New Hampshire (the campus student newspaper, published each Tuesday and Friday) or The Campus Journal (published biweekly and available in the English Office) or by checking the UNH events calendar online at www.unh.edu/welcome/calendars.html
Graduate Student Organization (GSO), English Graduate Organization (EGO), and Graduate Student Support
The Graduate Student Organization is the campus organization devoted to representing graduate student interests to the University administration. Each graduate program has a representative on the GSO; consult the EGO for information about the current representative from the English Graduate Program. Your concerns about university policies toward graduate students should be brought to the attention of the GSO through your representative. The English Graduate Student Organization (EGO) is the student organization of the English Department's graduate programs. The EGO represents student interests by serving on the GSO and on the English Graduate Committee, organizes reading groups and other events, and plays an important role in the recruitment of prospective graduate students. The EGO's web site is at www.unh.edu/ego.
Other Resources
Various organizations and offices offer graduate students specialized kinds of support. SHARPP is the organization which addresses complaints related to sexual harassment. The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs and the Affirmative Action Office offer programming and support on issues relating to equity and diversity at UNH: gender, race, and sexual orientation. The Office of International Students and Scholars can help international students with their particular questions and problems. The UNH Counseling Center offers free psychological counseling. In all cases, it is important that you keep the Graduate Coordinator, the English Department Chair, or your advisor apprized of problems even as you seek help elsewhere, particularly if those problems arise from the English Department itself.
Career Services
Career Services Center, in Hood House, offers help with finding non-academic jobs, provides information about nationally administered tests (such as the GRE), and offers a dossier service. All students looking for academic positions upon graduation or for work in the non-profit sector are advised to establish a dossier at Career Services; the dossier will hold all letters of recommendation and can be sent out as needed. For more information about Career Services, see their website: http://www.unh.edu/career-services/index.html.
Useful Books for Graduate Students
Excellent advice:
Alonso, Carlos J. "My Professional Advice (to Graduate Students)." PMLA 117.3 (May 2002): 401-6. An excellent set of tips for graduate students in English.
Graduate School:
Clark, Robert, and John Palatella, eds. The Real Guide to Grad School. Lingua Franca Books, 1997.
Mitchell, Lesli. The Ultimate Graduate School Survival Guide. Peterson Books, 1996.
Peters, Robert. Getting What You Paid For: The Smart Student's Guide to Earning a Master's or PhD. Noonday P, 1997.
Toth, Emily. Ms. Mentor's Impeccable Advice for Women in Academia. U Pennsylvania P, 1997.
Theory:
Culler, Jonathan. Literary Theory: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford UP, 1997.
Eagleton, Terry. Literary Theory: An Introduction. Second Edition. U Minnesota P, 1996.
Heilker, Paul, and Peter Vandenberg, eds. Keywords in Composition Studies. Boynton / Cook, 1996.
Lentricchia, Frank, and Thomas McLaughlin, eds. Critical Terms for Literary Study. U Chicago P, 1995.
Weedon, Chris. Feminist Practice and Post-Structuralist Theory. Blackwell, 1996.
The Profession:
Greenblatt, Stephen, ed. Redrawing the Boundaries: The Transformation of English and American Literary Studies. MLA, 1992.
Chronicle of Higher Education. Periodical. (The journal of record for higher education; includes ads for academic positions).
College English. Periodical. (General audience journal addressed to issues of composition and literature pedagogy).
Lingua Franca. Periodical. (Irreverent, controversial journal about all aspects of higher education; includes an annual "who was hired or promoted where" table).
Modern Language Association Job List. Published annually in October, with updates throughout the year. (List of open positions in English, American Studies, and Composition organized by state. All PhD students should look over this publication well before going onto the job market. The Department subscribes to this publication; it is available in the English Office and online).
Tate, Gary, and Erica Lindemann, eds. An Introduction to Composition Studies. Oxford UP, 1991.
Dissertation and Job Search:
Bolker, Joan. Writing your Dissertation in Fifteen Minutes a Day. Owl Books, 1998.
Heilberger, Mary and John Vick. The Academic Job Search Handbook. U Pennsylvania P, 1992.
Sternberg, David. How to Complete and Survive a Doctoral Dissertation. St. Martin's P, 1981.
Zerubavel, Eviatar. The Clockwork Muse: A Practical Guide to Writing Theses, Dissertations and Books. Harvard UP, 1999.
Academic Publishing:
Derricourt, Robin. An Author's Guide to Scholarly Publishing. Princeton UP, 1996.
Harman, Eleanor, and Ian Montagnes, eds. The Thesis and the Book. U Toronto P, 1976. (Guide to how to turn your dissertation or thesis into an academic book. Highly recommended for PhD candidates).
Luey, Beth. Handbook for Academic Authors. Cambridge UP, 1995.
Non-academic careers:
Basalla, Susan and Maggie Debelius So What Are you Going to Do With That? : A Guide to Career-Changing for M.A.s and Ph.D.s
Entertainment:
Gilbert, Sandra, and Susan Gubar. Masterpiece Theatre: An Academic Melodrama. Rutgers UP, 1995.
Hynes, James. Publish and Perish: Three Tales of Tenure and Terror. Picador, 1998.
Jones, D. J. H. Murder at the MLA. U Georgia P, 1993.
Lodge, David. Small World: An Academic Romance. Penguin, 1995.
Russo, Richard. Straight Man. Random House, 1997.
Contact Numbers and Addresses
English Department
All correspondence can be addressed to the appropriate person at the Department of English, University of New Hampshire, Hamilton Smith Hall, Room 52, Durham, NH 03824. All phone numbers have a (603) area code. The English Graduate Office is open during the academic year from 8 - 4 each day. If the University is not in session or during the summer time, please call ahead to check the Graduate Office's hours.
The Graduate Coordinator establishes regular office hours each semester. Additional appointments may be made available on a case-by-case basis; please call or e-mail to make an appointment. During the summer, the Graduate Coordinator will not keep regular office hours. During the summer, please contact her by phone or e-mail to make an appointment.
Inquiries about graduate admission or requests for applications should be directed to Janine Auger, English Graduate Administrative Assistant. Issues of policy in the English Graduate program should be directed to Michael Ferber, English Graduate Program Coordinator.
Robin Hackett, Coordinator, English Graduate Program, rhackett@cisunix.unh.edu, 603-862-0860
Tom Carnicelli, Director of Undergraduate Composition, Freshman English Program, carnicel@gwi.net 603-862-3975
Tom Newkirk, Dir. of Literacy Institutes, Learning Through Teaching, and MST Program, trn@unh.edu , 603-862-3970
Andrew Merton, Chair, English Department, andrew.merton@unh.edu 603-862-3967
Carla Cannizzaro, English Department Coordinator, carla.c@unh.edu 603-862-3970
Janine Auger, English Graduate Administrative Assistant, janine.auger@unh.edu 603-862-3963
Main English Office, 113 Hamilton-Smith Hall, 603-862-1313
Graduate School:
All correspondence to the Graduate School should be addressed to The Graduate School, Thompson Hall, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824.
Main Graduate School number (for general inquiries): 862-3000
Harry Richards, Dean of the Graduate School harry.richards@unh.edu, 603-862-3009
Cari Moorhead, Associate Dean of the Graduate School cari.moorhead@unh.edu, 602-862-3007
Office of International Students and Scholars:
All correspondence to the OISS should be addressed to The Office of International Students and Scholars, Hood House, 89 Main Street, Durham, NH, USA 03824. The OISS webpage is located at http://www.unh.edu/oiss/.
OISS Office, oiss@unh.edu 603-862-1508
Leila Paje-Manalo, Director of OISS, llpm@cisunix.unh.edu 603-862-3491
Financial Aid Office:
All correspondence to the Financial Aid Office should be addressed to Financial Aid, 11 Garrison Avenue, Stoke Hall, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824. It is important to remind you that the English Graduate Program does not establish eligibility requirements or conditions for financial aid.
Financial Aid office: 862-3600
Phone Numbers for individual faculty or other programs:
UNH Information: 862-2600
A university directory is available on the web at http://www.unh.edu/welcome/directories.html
Web pages:
These web pages contain contact and program information useful to UNH English graduate students:
Main University of New Hampshire web page: http://www.unh.edu
UNH Graduate School web page: http://www.gradschool.unh.edu
UNH English Department web page: http://www.unh.edu/english
UNH Graduate English Program web page: http://www.unh.edu/english/graduate_students