A three-year studentship is available in the Faculty of English to work on a thesis leading to the award of a PhD on the subject of "Financial Crisis in English and American Fiction."
The thesis will need to combine breadth and depth in providing a broad historical survey from the eighteenth century to the present day that frames a limited number of case studies researched in depth. These cases will be related to particular historical events and epochs that provoked significant fictional responses from one or more authors. Dickens, Thackeray and Trollope are among those likely to feature prominently, and although a good deal has been written on money, banking and speculation in Victorian fiction, there is still room for a study that places the motif of financial crisis in a larger historical perspective, and pays particular attention to the representation of the financier over time.
Please see http://www.english.cam.ac.uk/
postgraduate/Hardy_Proposal.htm for a description of one way (though not the only way) in which this project might be framed.
This project would suit a student of English literature with an interest in how economic circumstances, the financial system, and the development of capitalism are reflected in the work of British and American authors. Applicants should have a Bachelors degree in English Literature or a related discipline, at First or high Upper Second class, or equivalent. They will normally have completed a Masters course, although a strong application from a student currently engaged on a Masters course will also be considered. Dr Marcus Waithe and Dr Tamara Follini will be among those available to supervise the successful applicant.
Further information about graduate study in the Faculty can be found here:
http://www.english.cam.ac.uk/postgraduate/PhD.htm
Funding Notes
The studentship is available to applicants from the UK and overseas and will cover the full costs of three years’ study, namely: the University Composition Fee, the College Fee and a stipend to cover living expenses. The successful candidate will be able to choose from start dates of October 2011, January 2012 or April 2012. Information on PhD fees and maintenance costs can be found here:
http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/gradstud/funding/costs/
To be considered for this studentship, it is necessary to make an application for the PhD course via the University’s Board of Graduate Studies. Full information on how to apply can be found here:
http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/univ/gsprospectus/applying/
You should indicate on the Finance page of the application form that you are applying for the studentship in Financial Crisis in English Fiction.
http://www.findaphd.com/search/showproject.asp?projectid=29546