PhD in Comparative Literature - Writing, Rhetoric, and Composition Studies in Davis United States | University of California Davis

Our PhD candidates receive guidance from an extensive network of core and affiliated faculty in Comparative Literature. Our professors maintain joint appointments with departments including East Asian Languages and Cultures, English, French and Italian, German and Russian, Middle East/South Asian Languages, and Religious Studies. The program fosters partnerships with interdisciplinary initiatives in critical theory, digital humanities, science and technology studies, film and media, and performance studies. We provide personalized support to help students acquire the academic and professional skills essential for career success. The program nurtures graduate students as both educators and developing scholars, boasting an impressive track record of placements both within and beyond academia.

The Designated Emphasis (DE) in Writing, Rhetoric, and Composition Studies (WRaCS) enables doctoral students to prepare for leadership positions in writing research, instruction, and program management. This DE combines theoretical foundations with practical expertise in writing pedagogy, program administration, and scholarly investigation. Creating teaching approaches and evaluation systems tailored to specific needs benefits graduate students focused on studying student writing across secondary and higher education settings.