Ph.D. History

Language(s):

The minimum requirement of the department is a reading knowledge of either French or German (or Spanish in the case of American history). Within each field, the faculty decides which additional languages are required and the degree of proficiency that is required. In rare cases when the student, the student's adviser, and the director of graduate studies all agree that the substitution of another language is reasonable, appropriate, and academically sound, some other language may be used in place of French or German. The following field requirements typically apply, although some sub-fields may require additional languages (applicants should check with the department if in doubt):

• American history—proficiency in either Spanish, French, or German; a high level of proficiency is required.
• British history—proficiency in either French or German; a high level of proficiency is required.
• East Asian history—proficiency in one East Asian language and one European language.
• European history—proficiency in two languages other than English, one of which is either French or German. Students in medieval history are normally expected to be proficient in Latin, French, and German. Students in Byzantine history should be proficient in ancient/medieval Greek, French, and German, and preferably Latin or one other ancient language.
• Latin American history—proficiency in two of the following: Spanish, Portuguese, French, or an indigenous language subject to faculty approval.
• Middle East history—proficiency in one Middle East language and one European language.
• Russian history—proficiency in Russian and either French or German.
• South Asian history—proficiency in one South Asian language and one European language.

The faculty of the history department set most of the language examinations. Examinations in some languages, however, may be administered by appropriate language departments at Princeton. Normally the examination consists of two passages to be translated, one with and one without a dictionary. Language examinations will be announced at the beginning of each semester. Other examinations should be scheduled in consultation with the director of graduate studies and (if appropriate) the department involved.

Entering students should arrange one language examination early in their first term. The department expects students to pass at least one language examination before enrolling for the second year. It is expected that all students fulfill the language requirement before taking the general examination and enrolling for a fifth term. In fields that demand more than two languages, all but one of them must be passed prior to enrolling for a third term. Second-year students who fail the language exam at the regularly scheduled time may petition the director of graduate studies and receive a second chance to take the exam in the same term, in order to fulfill the language obligation at a time that interferes less with generals preparation.