PhD Cultural Studies
Graduate Programme in Cultural Studies | MA in Cultural Studies |
MPhil in Cultural Studies | PhD in Cultural Studies | Course Descriptions
Degree Requirements
UWI graduates in possession of the MA degree by coursework and/or the MPhil degree in the discipline in which the average course work mark is 60% or better will be accepted to register for the PhD degree. Graduates from other recognized tertiary institutions who hold equivalent qualifications may be allowed to register for the PhD degree.
Upgrade from the MPhil
Alternatively, students currently studying at UWI for the MPhil degree who have
- achieved a grade of at least 60% in the required Reading Field
- successfully defended a Thesis Proposal of a scope and depth deemed worthy of an upgrade and
- consistently produced work of a standard, in the opinion of their Supervisor, to merit an upgrade, may be allowed to transfer to the Ph.D. programme.
To this end, candidates will also be required to complete an Upgrade Seminar successfully, according to the following guidelines:
- the Upgrade Seminar must be presented before a panel consisting of members of staff in the discipline and other interested parties;
- for the Seminar, candidates are required to write and present a paper (to be photocopied and distributed beforehand) on a topic arising out of their research as well as to field questions put to them afterwards.
The presentation must include the following:
- a Written Paper (10 - 15 pages in length, approximately 30 - 45 minutes speaking time) representing an aspect of the candidate's research (it may, for example, be part of a chapter of the proposed thesis)
- a Descriptive Abstract of the thesis (about 1000 words) indicating
- I. the specific methodology and the theoretical approach to be employed
- II. the primary material to be addressed and
- III. a detailed overview of the argument to be advanced in the form of chapter synopses
- a Table of Contents for the proposed thesis
- a Bibliography of key primary and secondary texts (author and title only). This is subject to suggested additional entries based upon the panel's perception of the adequacy (or otherwise) of the list for covering the proposed area(s) of research.
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Degree requirements
Candidates admitted to the PhD programme are required to register for the following:
| CLTR6030 |
8credits |
| 2 Core Courses |
8 credits |
| |
= 16 credits |
Research Fields
Full-time candidates who have not already completed a Research Field will be required in the course of their first two years of study to complete two (2) Research Fields, guided by a Supervisor, in an area / areas pertinent to their research. The Research Fields should cover a selection of texts that are crucial to the field and should result in the candidate's familiarity by one of the following:
• an annotated bibliography of the field with emphasis on the area of focus of the thesis (50%)
• a portfolio of written papers discussing the materials read or oral presentations or both (50%)
The assessment of the bibliography and the portfolio will be conducted by the Supervisor and one other member of staff with expertise in the field.
Seminar
Each candidate will present at least three (3) seminar presentations before a panel consisting of members of staff in the discipline and other interested parties.
Thesis Proposal
Full-time candidates preparing two Research Fields will be required, by the end of their first year of study, to present and defend a Thesis Proposal of acceptable scope and quality for the PhD degree.
Thesis
Full-time candidates who are successful in the above requirements will then have at least two (2) further years of study to research and write a thesis (80,000 words, exclusive of notes and bibliography).
Time Limits
Full-time candidates who are required to complete two Research Fields must complete the requirements for the degree within five (5) calendar years of the start of the programme. Full-time candidates who are required to complete only one (1) Research Field must complete these requirements within four (4) calendar years of the start of the programme. Part-time candidates have up to seven (7) years to complete the same requirements.
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The successful completion of the Research Field(s), the Seminar Presentations and the acceptance of the thesis will lead to the award of the PhD degree.
Graduate Programme in Cultural Studies | MA in Cultural Studies |
MPhil in Cultural Studies | PhD in Cultural Studies | Course Descriptions
