Please visit the Graduate Studies website for information on how to apply.
Program Overview
Trent University’s Cultural Studies Department offers Canada’s first independent Ph.D. program in Cultural Studies, distinguished for its innovative and interdisciplinary approach. This program empowers students to explore their chosen interests from a range of fields. The program also supports dissertation projects centered on research-creation.
The innovative design of the program allows you the flexibility to undertake original research during your career as a Ph.D student. Research projects are developed in a supportive and intensive intellectual environment. As your work progresses, you may present your findings at conferences and submit them to scholarly journals, join a reading or research group, or teach in the undergraduate department. Upon completion, your dissertation can also be considered for publication as a book. The unique and flexible structure of our four-year program emphasizes research and professional development.
Objectives of the program
When you graduate from the program you will have:
- critical and comprehensive knowledge of the intellectual traditions in cultural studies;
- comprehensive knowledge of your own specialized field (e.g. cinema and media studies, curatorial studies, ethnographic research, worldbuilding and literary studies, gender and social justice, memory studies, science and technology studies)
- experience in presenting your work to peers, and preparing it for scholarly journals;
- demonstrated ability to design and follow through programs of original research;
- teaching experience in Cultural Studies and cognate areas
These objectives are achieved through a combination of core seminars, independent research, teaching and research assistantships, and the completion of a dissertation passed by your supervisory committee
New Collaborative Specializations available at Trent University
Gender & Feminist Studies
Are you a graduate student with an interest in feminist, decolonial, and social justice research?
Consider Trent's new Collaborative Specialization in Gender and Feminist Studies! This is an exciting opportunity to enhance your graduate education and extend your research skills.
Aging Studies
As Canadian society experiences a significant demographic shift, and new perspectives on aging become more important than ever before, earn your MA, MSc or PhD along with a specialization in Aging Studies.