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Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies
This doctor of philosophy (PhD) program offers interdisciplinary study and research leading to a doctorate. The program provides a strong academic approach, with core courses on feminist theory and methodology and a blend of advanced studies in specific fields, as well as directed readings for more individualized study. Students develop and demonstrate intellectual and analytical skills, in accordance with the particular criteria of the level of study, and in consultation with their supervisor and supervisory committee.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must satisfy the university admission requirements as stated in Graduate General Regulations 1.3 in the SFU Calendar. Applicants must satisfy the Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies graduate program committee that they are prepared academically to undertake doctoral work in gender, sexuality, and women’s studies.
Program Requirements
This program consists of courses, comprehensive exams, and a thesis for a minimum of 33 units. The graduate committee, in consultation with the student's supervisory committee, may require a student to complete additional courses, either to obtain breadth of background in gender, sexuality, and women's studies, participate in the professional development colloquia or to acquire specific preparation in the topic of the student's proposed thesis.
Students must complete
Workshop designed to support professional development, networking and foster mutuality of research interests. Includes topics on research skill development, academic and public dissemination of work, practical tips for career advancement and presentations of works in progress. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
Workshop designed to support professional development, networking and foster mutuality of research interests. Includes topics on research skill development, academic and public dissemination of work, practical tips for career advancement and presentations of works in progress. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
and an additional three graduate courses*
and comprehensive examinations
and a thesis
*Two of these courses may be from gender, sexuality, and women's studies courses at the universities under the Western Deans' Agreement or relevant offerings in other Simon Fraser University departments, with the approval of the student's supervisory committee. Students who have completed the SFU or UBC Master of Arts program before admission to the doctoral program will not be permitted to duplicate graduate courses that they completed during their MA programs.
Program Length
Students are expected to complete the program requirements in 18 terms.
Other Information
Comprehensive Examinations
Students must pass comprehensive examinations that consist of a course syllabus and two exams to be set by the student's supervisory committee in consultation with the student, approved by the Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies graduate committee, and completed to the satisfaction of the supervisory committee.
Thesis
Students prepare a PhD thesis proposal and defend it in a presentation that is open to the whole department. Students will submit a PhD thesis giving evidence of independent research and critical abilities in the interdisciplinary study of women and/or gender. The student will be examined on the thesis in accordance with the Graduate General Regulations.
Academic Requirements within the Graduate General Regulations
All graduate students must satisfy the academic requirements that are specified in the Graduate General Regulations, as well as the specific requirements for the program in which they are enrolled.