Cultural Studies, PhD

Overview

Cultural Studies situates culture as a site of power struggles between competing systems of representations and the ways of life that they support. Our methods of study are critical: not only exposing the ideological dimension of culture but also exploring its radical political potential.

Our faculty members specialize in feminist and queer studies, critical race theory, film and media studies, museum studies, Latino/a studies, Africana studies, Asian Pacific Islander studies, and more. The CGU Cultural Studies Department is distinguished by offering both an MA and PhD in Cultural Studies. Because many students enter the program from other disciplines, the department offers a variety of introductory courses in addition to advanced-level courses. Additionally, students may also pursue a concentration in: American Studies, Hemispheric and Transnational Studies, Media Studies, or Museum Studies.

This program is offered in-person and can be completed in [unit of time] of full-time attendance.

Program Outcomes

[Required]

Degree Requirements

A minimum of 72 units are required for the degree. A maximum of 16 units of independent studies and/or upper division undergraduate level courses completed at the 5Cs may be applied toward the degree. Students may refer to the SAH Student Handbook for the year in which they begin the program for additional information.

Coursework

Required Courses (20 units)

Three 300-level CLST foundations courses (12 units)
One Transdisciplinary (TNDY) course (4 units)
One research methods course (4 units). Students may select courses from the list below, or another in consultation with their academic advisor.

Electives (52 units)

The remaining units will be selected in consultation with the student’s faculty advisor. Students are encouraged to register in CLST 470 /HUM 348 to help develop and refine their dissertation proposals.

Students may satisfy part of this requirement by completing one of the concentrations below:

American Studies

Hemispheric and Transnational Studies

Media Studies

Museum Studies

Research Tools

This requirement is satisfied in one of two ways:

By earning a grade of B or higher in two research methods courses completed at CGU, or
By earning a grade of B or higher in one research methods course and successfully passing one language translation exam

Students may not satisfy this requirement by way of transfer credit. Students pursuing a concentration may be required to complete additional research tools .

Qualifying Exams

To be eligible for the qualifying exams, students must:

Successfully complete 72 units of coursework
Earn a grade point average of 3.3 (B+) GPA, no more than two B’s on your transcript and no grade lower than a B
Successfully complete the Reasearch Tools requirement

Students must pass three written examinations in each of the following fields: (1) cultural studies, (2) a minor field in the humanities, and (3) an area of specialization. The selection of fields must be approved by the student’s supervisory committee. Each exam is followed by an oral defense and review. Additional information can be found online on the SAH Cultural Studies website and the SAH Student Handbook.

Dissertation

Each candidate must prepare an acceptable dissertation under the guidance of the supervisory committee, to be defended in a final oral examination. Policies and guidelines are provided in the Doctoral Degree Regulations section of the Bulletin.

MA Along the Way

Students in the Ph.D. in Cultural Studies program may earn a Master’s degree in Cultural Studies if they have completed all requirements for the M.A. degree, including earning a passing grade in HUM 348 and submitting an approved final project. For more information about this option, students should contact their faculty advisor.

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.