Carleton’s English department is establishing its PhD program to attract the strongest students and make a name for itself other than the new kid on the block.
Although the website advertises the PhD program as a new attraction, the program will be in its fourth year this coming fall, said supervisor of graduate studies Grant Williams.
In a sense, it is a new program because many changes have occurred amongst the staff, creating a “new department” with recent retirees and hiring taking place, said English department chair Paul Keen.
The English department is “incredibly enthusiastic,” Keen said.
A youngster by most standards, the program has the potential to attract the very best students by only selecting those with the top credentials and top achievements, Williams said.
“In our program we have very high standards” and only accept applicants “if we think the student has the building blocks of success,” Williams said.
The main PhD program is named “The Production of Literature,”focusing on the “history of what people meant by literature” although students can choose to do their studies in any area they want as long as someone will supervise their endeavors, Keen said.
Carleton only accepting one student last year illustrates the exclusive program, Williams said.
Keen said the department is hoping for three or four for 2009.
The English PhD program is not trying to be “snobby” by accepting a limited amount of students, but simply trying to establish itself, Williams said.
Some argue that the best literature is aged, but Williams said he believes Carleton’s program may face well-established. Competition.
“How can we compete against Queen’s University [English PhD program] who has been around for hundreds of years” and has a “distinct advantage?” he said.
He said, however, the program’s exclusivity will reflect on it having high standards.