Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies Doctor of Philosophy Program
Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women鈥檚 Studies | Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
丁香园AV Calendar 2012 Spring
This doctor of philosophy (PhD) program offers interdisciplinary study and research leading to a doctorate. The program provides a strong academic approach, with core courses on feminist theory and methodology and a blend of advanced studies in specific fields, as well as directed readings for more individualized study. Students develop and demonstrate intellectual and analytical skills, in accordance with the particular criteria of the level of study, and in consultation with their senior supervisor and supervisory committee.
丁香园AV Requirements
Applicants must satisfy the Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women鈥檚 Studies graduate program committee that they are prepared academically to undertake doctoral work in women鈥檚 studies. Normally, a master鈥檚 degree will be required. Applicants are required to submit three letters of reference.
In addition to University requirements for admission to a doctoral program, as listed in the graduate general regulations 1.3.4 , the program requires:
- a sample of scholarly work in the form of a substantial essay which is scholarly in format and approach
- a statement of research interests and goals in women鈥檚 studies; normally students will be expected to present a definite proposal for their research
- a short description of previous relevant course work and/or employment. Previous work should include both specialized disciplinary training and broader interdisciplinary work concerned with women and/or gender.
Program Requirements
The following are the doctorate requirements. Normally students complete course work before completing the comprehensive examinations, and will then go on to present and defend the PhD thesis proposal, all within two years. For further information concerning requirements, consult the department graduate secretary or graduate chair.
Graduate Courses
Students complete three graduate courses The graduate committee, in consultation with the student's supervisory committee, may require a student to complete additional courses, either to obtain breadth of background in women's studies or to acquire specific preparation in the topic of the student's proposed thesis.
Two of any required courses may be from women's studies at the universities under the Western Deans' Agreement or relevant offerings in other 丁香园AV departments, with the approval of the student's supervisory committee. Students who have completed the 丁香园AV or UBC master of arts program before admission to the doctoral program will not be permitted to duplicate graduate courses that they completed during their MA programs.
Comprehensive Examinations
Students must pass comprehensive examinations that consist of three major scholarly/professional tasks to be set by the student's supervisory committee in consultation with the student, approved by the Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies graduate committee, and completed to the satisfaction of the supervisory committee. One of the three tasks must be an exam or a review of the literature.
Thesis Proposal
Students prepare a PhD thesis proposal and defend it in a presentation that is open to the whole department.
Thesis Submission
Students will submit a PhD thesis giving evidence of independent research and critical abilities in the interdisciplinary study of women and/or gender. The student will be examined on the thesis in accordance with the Graduate General Regulations.
Academic Requirements within the Graduate General Regulations
All graduate students must satisfy the academic requirements that are specified in the Graduate General Regulations (residence, course work, academic progress, supervision, research competence requirement, completion time, and degree completion), as well as the specific requirements for the program in which they are enrolled, as shown above.
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