Interdisciplinary Humanities (PhD)

Location(s): Main Campus

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PhD in Interdisciplinary Humanities

Program Website: PhD Program in Interdisciplinary Humanities

Field(s) of Specialization

Critique and Social Transformation
Culture and Aesthetics
Technology & Digital Humanities
Ways of Knowing

Faculty and Administration

For a listing of program faculty and administrative contacts, please visit the program directory.

Program Description

The program is committed to providing a rigorous interdisciplinary teaching and research environment, which nurtures scholarly and creative activity. Such endeavours aim to investigate the past as well as influence the ways in which reflection and creation contribute to the further unfolding of society and culture. Students pursuing Brock University’s Interdisciplinary Doctoral Humanities Program will have the opportunity to collaborate across disciplines.

Admission Requirements

Successful completion of a Master’s degree in a humanities or cognate discipline, normally with a minimum average grade of 80%, and an agreement from a faculty member to supervise the student. Applicants are required to include: a statement of intent, a sample of scholarly writing, and a current CV.

For language requirements, please see the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs English Language Proficiency webpage.

Degree Requirements

Students are required to successfully complete 6 half-credit courses, including the two compulsory core courses (HUMA 7P01 and HUMA 7P02 ); a language exam that demonstrates reading competency in a language beyond English; a compulsory non-credit research and professionalization seminar, HUMA 7N07 ; and written and oral comprehensive exams. In lieu of a standard PhD thesis, there are four capstone pathway options available to students: dissertation, suite, research-creation, and thesis by project.

For a detailed description of program requirements, students should consult the HUMA Program Handbook.

Year One

One of:
- HUMA 7P01 - Interdisciplinary Research and Writing in the Humanities
- HUMA 7P02 - Fields of Interdisciplinary Study
Two or three half-credits from program course offerings or approved electives
HUMA 7N07 - Professionalization and Research Seminar
Comprehensive examination reading lists submitted to GPD
Thesis Supervisory Committee finalized

Year Two

One of:
- HUMA 7P01 - Interdisciplinary Research and Writing in the Humanities
- HUMA 7P02 - Fields of Interdisciplinary Study
One or two half-credits from program course offerings or approved electives
Comprehensive examinations

Year Three

Capstone project research
Final capstone project proposal

Year Four

Completion of language requirement before defence
Completion of capstone project and defence

Course work

All students must obtain approval of their proposed program of study from the GPD prior to registration each term. Students must take 4 courses in addition to the two core seminars (HUMA 7P01 and HUMA 7P02 ) and in addition to the Research and Professionalization seminar (HUMA 7N07 ). Students may take a maximum of one half-credit course elective, unless otherwise authorized by the GPD. For a full list of graduate course offerings by subject area, please refer to the Courses tab in the navigation menu.

Language Requirement

Students will be required to demonstrate reading competency in one language (including a computer language) other than English by means of a written examination. Students with a first language other than English will be exempt if that language is relevant to their doctoral work. The exam is pass/fail and may be taken as many times as is necessary for the student to pass the exam. Students are responsible for informing the GPD that they are prepared to write the exam, and the student must pass the exam before defending their thesis.

Evidence of passing a similar language exam in an MA degree may take the place of the PhD language exam at the discretion of the GPD and the Program Committee.

Comprehensive Examinations

Comprehensive examinations must be completed by the end of the sixth term of the program. The comprehensive exams consist of two written examinations (general and specific) and one oral examination. Students must complete all of their course requirements before they take the comprehensive examinations. All exams are graded pass/fail.

Capstone Project Proposal

By the start of year three (seventh term in program), students will submit their final, revised, capstone proposal and bibliography to the Supervisory Committee and the GPD for approval. Please consult the HUMA Program Handbook for additional information.

Capstone Project and Defence

The thesis will be completed in the fourth year in program (terms 10 - 12), and should reflect the interdisciplinary nature of the degree. Please consult the HUMA Program Handbook for additional information.