Humanities (PhD)
Doctorate (PhD)
Offered by:Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Society and Culture (CISSC), Faculty of Arts & Science, Faculty of Fine Arts
Program overview
The PhD in Humanities, based in the Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Society and Culture (CISSC), can be undertaken in any of the many areas of interdisciplinary expertise at Concordia. Our students enter the program with an MA or MFA and come from a variety of disciplines across the humanities, social sciences and fine arts. They benefit from a vibrant academic milieu that encourages innovative thinking and cross-disciplinary approaches to today's vital issues. Some examples of topics being looked at by students in the program include digital culture, First People's studies, globalization and women's studies. Concordia’s outstanding research centres and labs include Milieux, the Media History Research Centre, the Centre for Sensory Studies and the Centre for Expanded Poetics, among many others. Students entering with an MFA or another graduate degree can pursue research-creation projects that combine scholarly investigation with creative practice in a variety of media and platforms
Program details
- MA or MFA with high standing from a recognized university.
- Portfolio (for research-creation applicants).
- Research or research-creation proposal.
Proficiency in English. Applicants whose primary language is not English must demonstrate that their knowledge of English is sufficient to pursue graduate studies in their chosen field. Please refer to the Graduate Admission page for further information on the Language Proficiency requirements and exemptions.
Fully-qualified candidates are required to complete a minimum of 90 credits.
6 credits – Required Courses
HUMA 888 - Seminar in Interdisciplinary Studies I (3 credits)
HUMA 889 - Seminar in Interdisciplinary Studies II (3 credits)
12 credits – Elective Courses
Electives may be chosen from graduate courses at the 600 level or higher offered by departments in areas relevant to the student’s program of study; 3-credit directed study courses; or may also include HUMA 887 - Special Topic.
9 credits – Comprehensive Examinations
HUMA 891 - Comprehensive Examination Major Field (3 credits)
HUMA 892 - Comprehensive Examination Minor Field I (3 credits)
HUMA 893 - Comprehensive Examination Minor Field II (3 credits)
6 credits – Thesis Proposal
HUMA 894 - Thesis Proposal with Defence (6 credits)
57 credits – Thesis
HUMA 895 - Thesis (57 credits)
For information about the application process to the Humanities program, please consult the list of required documents and specific details.
We invite applications from highly qualified candidates with an MA or MFA wishing to embark on original interdisciplinary projects. We also welcome research-creation projects that combine creative practice with scholarly investigation.
| DEGREE |
FALL (September) |
WINTER (January) |
SUMMER (May/June) |
| Humanities | PhD | Jan. 15 | n/a | n/a |
Courses
Required Courses
HUMA 888 Seminar in Interdisciplinary Studies I (3 credits)
A required core seminar to be taken by all students within their first year in the program. This course engages with theories and methods of interdisciplinarity germane to the humanities, social sciences and fine arts, including those pertinent to research-creation. Its objectives include enhancing awareness of the role of conceptual frameworks and institutional practices in the shaping of interdisciplinary scholarly and creative explorations, and providing students with opportunities to begin pursuing theoretical and methodological issues vital to their individual interdisciplinary projects.
HUMA 889 Seminar in Interdisciplinary Studies II (3 credits)
A required core seminar to be taken by all students within their first year in the program. Each year a different topic or approach is selected with the aim of exploring how it is pursued and challenged across disciplinary boundaries.
Elective Courses
HUMA 884 Directed Studies (3 credits)
A directed study course provides students with the opportunity to pursue advanced and focused work with individual faculty members in the fields that constitute the student's program of study. Directed study courses are designated by the course topic.
HUMA 887 Advanced Seminar in Special Topics in Interdisciplinary Studies (3 credits)
This seminar examines in-depth special topics in interdisciplinary studies.
Note: The content varies from term to term and from year to year. Students may reregister for this course, provided the course content has changed. Changes in content are indicated by the course topic following the HUMA 887 course title.
Comprehensive Examinations and Thesis
HUMA 891 Comprehensive Examination Major Field (3 credits)
HUMA 892 Comprehensive Examination Minor Field I (3 credits)
HUMA 893 Comprehensive Examination Minor Field II (3 credits)
HUMA 894 Thesis Proposal with Defence (6 credits)
HUMA 895 Thesis (57 credits)
Important information about admissions
Please be advised that Concordia University does not process admissions or fee payments through third parties for our degree programs.
All applicants are advised to ensure that they are communicating directly with the university for admissions and fee payments.
