Cultural Studies, PhD

Students admitted to the program in Cultural Studies should refer to the Cultural Studies Student Handbook for the year in which they begin the program for complete details.

Degree Requirements

Coursework. A minimum of 72 units are required. Three 300-level foundations courses in Cultural Studies courses must be completed as well as one Transdisciplinary course .

Research Tools. Two research tools are required. Options for completing the tools are available as follows.

Enroll in two approved Research Method classes
Enroll in one Research Method class and pass a language translation exam

Guidelines and forms are available on the registrar’s Research Tools webpage.

Qualifying Exams. In order to be eligible to take qualifying exams, students must have a grade point average of 3.3 (B+) and no grade lower than B-. Other guidelines and forms are available on the registrar’s Qualifying Exams webpage.

Dissertation. A dissertation is required. Policies and guidelines are provided in the Degree Regulations section of the current Policies and General Information Bulletin.

University Policies. Policies detailed in the current Policies and General Information Bulletin apply.

Admission. Admission requirements are detailed in the Admissions section of the current Policies and General Information Bulletin.

American Studies Concentration

Students will work closely with a faculty advisor to pursue an intellectually unified course of study that will include seminars in their department as well as seminars cross-listed with participating CGU departments and The Claremont Colleges. A minimum of four seminars should be taken in the student’s home department, and a minimum of two seminars in other disciplines. Interested students should discuss this concentration with their advisor.

Note: in some cases, fulfilling the requirements of this concentration as well as the core requirements for the student’s degree may involve additional units or Research Tools. Students should always consult with their academic advisor before adding a concentration to their degree program.

Early Modern Studies Concentration

The Early Modern Studies concentration encompasses study in the disciplines of English, History, and Philosophy, while retaining disciplinary focus in one of those fields. Students interested in this concentration should consult with Dr. Lori Anne Ferrell.

For master’s students, this discrete course of study complements coursework in archival and museum studies and/or prepares students for application to doctoral programs in early modern, Renaissance, or Reformation literature, history, or philosophy.

For doctoral students, the concentration prepares students for research and teaching at the college or university level.

Coursework

Coursework requirements complement and do not replace departmental/program requirements, and are as follows:

Five courses in the early modern period (for English or History, 1500-1750 | for Philosophy, 1600-1800), of which two courses must be in a discipline other than the one in which the student is receiving the degree.
Course in Paleography
Course in Latin Reading (this course is not required but may be taken for credit; fulfillment of the research tool in Latin is by exam only)
One course or workshop based upon bibliographic inquiry into the extensive collections of modern print and manuscripts housed in the Special Collections of the The Claremont Colleges Library

Research Tools

For MA students, the Early Modern Studies concentration requires a second Research Tool. The two Research Tools for the concentration must be completed through language exams in German or French and in Latin. If a Latin Reading course is taken in preparation for the exam, this course may be used for credit toward the degree/concentration.

For PhD students, the Early Modern Studies concentration requires a third Research Tool. The three Research Tools for the concentration must be completed through language exams in German, French, and Latin. If a Latin Reading course is taken in preparation for the exam, this course may be used for credit toward the degree/concentration.

Hemispheric and Transnational Studies Concentration

Requirements

For MA Students

16 units in seminars designated as “hemispheric or transnational” in scope
A capstone/final paper (in Cultural Studies only) on hemispheric or transnational literatures or cultural theories
One language requirement (Research Tool) in Spanish, French, Portuguese, or Creole (other languages may be considered by student request.)

For PhD Students

16 units in seminars designated as “hemispheric or transnational” in scope
A capstone/final paper (in Cultural Studies only) on hemispheric or transnational literatures or cultural theories
One language requirement (Research Tool) in Spanish, French, Portuguese, or Creole (other languages may be considered by student request.)
Either a major or a minor qualifying field examination in Hemispheric/Transnational Studies (determined in consultation with the advisor).

Media Studies Concentration

Coursework. 12 units of approved Media Studies courses, taught by faculty of CGU or The Claremont Colleges, are required. For Cultural Studies students, one of the student’s Research Methods courses must be int he field of Media Studies.

Internship. A four-unit Internship course is optional. Internships are scheduled for approximately 100 hours.

Museum Studies Concentration

Coursework. 8 units of approved courses in Museum Theory and History are required.

Internship. A four-unit Internship is optional. Internships are scheduled for approximately 100 hours.

School of Arts and Humanities Practical Experience Milestone

Students in all departments of the School of Arts and Humanities must meet the Practical Experience Milestone through one of the following:

A Teaching Assistantship
A Research Assistantship
An external teaching opportunity, in one or more semesters student is enrolled
A research project with CGU or Consortium Faculty (5C’s, KGI)
One or more articles prepared or prepared and submitted for publication, single or co authored
One or more academic book reviews prepared or prepared and submitted for publication
One or more exhibition proposals, prepared or prepared and implemented
A music recital
Completion of one or more semesters in Doctoral Studies that includes relevant work experience and/or progress on the doctoral dissertation
Preparing and submitting the MA thesis
Attending an Academic Conference (either to give a paper or as an attendee)
Doing an Internship (paid or unpaid, for credit or not for credit)
Additional employment or project that the department considers as providing appropriate professional training, particularly for students not considering the academic teaching track

Students must have their milestone approved by the department prior to the submission of their completed Final Approval Form. This milestone is to be completed during the time to degree at CGU (7 years for doctoral students, 5 years for masters students). Extensions of Time to Degree citing the milestone will not be approved. Students may have a maximum of 4 years of experience for the Practical Experience Milestone.