27 February 2013

PhD Reading Lists

Right now I feel like I am in PhD reading list hell.  On one hand I wish that my university had pre-made lists (it would take some of the burden off me), but then I'm glad it doesn't force us to work off a pre-made list because I have the freedom to study the poets who I want to study (and eventually write my dissertation about).

Maybe I'm exaggerating, but only slightly, and here's why:

1. I have a nine page list comprised of 175 poets and I need to read full length books for quite a few of them.

2. It seems nearly impossible to read 175 poets' works and read all of the secondary critical works in a year's time.

3. Will this reading process pervert my relationship with the subject matter?  God, I hope not.

4. How am I ever to finish this in one year?  Should I take two years to do my reading?

I also suppose that I might feel better if there were more of us (poetry folk) in the program because anxiety (and misery) loves company.  However, it could also be a beneficial sign that there aren't many poetry people when it comes to jobs (*crosses fingers and gestures to the heavens*).

Once I have a finalized copy of my lists I will upload them here so y'all can have a look and see what an intellectual gauntlet looks like in nine black and white pages.

4 comments:

  1. I have to tell you... I won't be reading the things you have on your list ;-)
    More power to you girl! Plow through it and finish this degree! You're amazing!

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    Replies
    1. come on, justjacq, you *might* want to read some of the things on my list... stay tuned.

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  2. haha I just saw your last tag for this post. love it.

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