THE WRITTEN CANDIDACY EXAMINATION

Written candidacy examinations are intended to assess the student's general knowledge of Russian literature or Slavic linguistics. The examinations consist of four essay questions, which are created by members of the graduate faculty in the student's field of specialization. The examinations are to be completed over a ten-day period; the student may pick up the exam at 9:00 A.M. on the first day and must return it by 9:00 A.M. on the eleventh day. Examinations must be typed; use of reference books is permitted.

Evaluating the written candidacy examination

Written candidacy examinations are appraised on a scale of Satisfactory-Unsatisfactory. The grade of Satisfactory can only be awarded by a unanimous vote of the candidacy examination committee.

In order to be adequate, the answers must do more than reproduce easily accessible information and the published opinions of scholars; they must include a careful weighing of evidence and interpretations, insightful assessments of the significance and ramifications of the issues, and the students' own appraisals of the problems.

Scheduling the written candidacy examination

To be in good standing in the Department, students must successfully complete their written and oral candidacy examinations no later than their ninth quarter of enrollment in the Ph.D. program (Milestone 6). Ideally, they will do this by their sixth quarter of enrollment. Extensions beyond the ninth quarter may be requested by petition to the Graduate Studies Committee.

Students must inform the Graduate Studies Coordinator in the departmental office of their intention to take the candidacy examinations in a given quarter no later than the end of the first week of classes in that quarter. Failure to meet this deadline will jeopardize the student's ability to take the examinations in that quarter.

It is the responsibility of the student's advisor, as chair of the advisory committee, to inform the Graduate Studies Committee and the Graduate School of the dates when the written portion will begin and end.

Deferring the written candidacy examination

Students who, after scheduling the candidacy examination, have a compelling reason to defer them must ask their advisors promptly for permission to do so. It is the responsibility of the advisors, if they agree to the deferral, to notify the Graduate Studies Coordinator and the other members of the advisory committee.