Cultural Studies, PhD

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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 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 Doctoral Degrees section of the Bulletin.

University Policies. University policies detailed in the Academic Policies section of the Bulletin apply.

Cultural Studies Concentrations

Media Studies

The Media Studies concentration is available to MA and PhD students in the Cultural Studies program.

Coursework. 12 units of approved Media Studies courses, taught by faculty of CGU or The Claremont Colleges, are required. One of the student’s Research Methods courses must be in the field of Media Studies.

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

Museum Studies

The Museum Studies concentration is available to MA and PhD students in the Cultural Studies program.

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.

Continental Philosophy Concentration

The Continental Philosophy concentration is available to MA and PhD students in the Cultural Studies, Philosophy, and Religion programs. Requirements for the concentration are as follows according to the department/program in which the student is enrolled.

Philosophy MA

Four courses in Kantian and post-Kantian continental philosophy with the approval of advisor (Note: the presumption is that pre-Kantian philosophies will not be considered a course in continental although, on an individual basis, may be considered upon the recommendation of the instructor)
Capstone/final paper on continental thought
French or German as a Research Tool

Philosophy PhD. Same as Philosophy MA above, plus one folio paper in the area of continental thought.

Cultural Studies MA or PhD

16 units in Kantian and post-Kantian continental philosophy with the approval of advisor (Note: the presumption is that pre-Kantian philosophies will not be considered a course in continental thought, although, on an individual basis, may be considered upon the recommendation of the instructor)
Final paper on continental thought
French or German as a Research Tool

Religion MA or PhD (available only to students in the Philosophy of Religion and Theology program). Four courses in Kantian and Post-Kantian Continental philosophy with the approval of advisor.

Hemispheric and Transnational Studies Concentration

The Hemispheric and Transnational Studies concentration is available to MA and PhD students in the Cultural Studies and English programs. Requirements for the concentration are as follows according to the department/program in which the student is enrolled.

Requirements

For MA Students

12 units in seminars designated as “hemispheric or transnational” in scope (with the approval of one of the Hemispheric and Transnational Studies advisors: Bulson, Daut, Goode, Luis-Brown, and Oishi)
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

12 units in seminars designated as “hemispheric or transnational” in scope (with the approval of one of the H&TS advisors: Bulson, Daut, Goode, Luis-Brown, and Oishi)
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).