¶¡ÏãÔ°AV

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¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Calendar | Spring 2014

Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies

Doctor of Philosophy

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.

¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Requirements

Applicants must satisfy the Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies graduate program committee that they are prepared academically to undertake doctoral work in gender, sexuality, and women’s studies. Normally, a master’s 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 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 gender, sexuality, and women’s 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 gender, sexuality, and women's studies, participate in the professional development colloquia or to acquire specific preparation in the topic of the student's proposed thesis.

GSWS 811 - GSWS Graduate Professional Development Colloquium I (2)

Workshop designed to support professional development, networking and foster mutuality of research interests. Includes topics on research skill development, academic and public dissemination of work,practical tips for career advancement and presentations of works in progress.

GSWS 812 - GSWS Graduate Professional Development Colloquium II (2)

Workshop designed to support professional development, networking and foster mutuality of research interests. Includes topics on research skill development, academic and public dissemination of work, practical tips for career advancement and presentations of works in progress.

Two of any required courses may be from gender, sexuality, and women's studies at the universities under the Western Deans' Agreement or relevant offerings in other ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV departments, with the approval of the student's supervisory committee. Students who have completed the ¶¡ÏãÔ°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  (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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