Institute for Gender and Development Studies

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About

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Interdisciplinary Gender Studies is a full-time and part-time programmme that can be completed in 5 or 7 years respectively. This programme is directed at students who are interested in a research-oriented degree, grounded in feminist theorising and activism. PhD Candidates should have the capacity to engage in independent work required for a research degree (evidenced by suitable referees in the field of research and a proposal detailing a selected field of study) and be capable of developing and completing a substantial and original research thesis. PhD Candidates have an option of developing a thesis by practice under the supervision and approval of their supervisor and IGDS graduate studies coordinator. While there are no required electives for this programme, additional courses or the reading course (GEND 6010 Advanced Feminist Theory) may be recommended by IGDS Academic Staff or Supervisor to assist with PhD Candidates’ research thesis.

Programme Goals

The goals of this programme are:
1. The development of a body of gender-based knowledge and research on the Caribbean;
2. To contribute to the development of feminist theory and methodology internationally based on the Caribbean experience;
3. To mould a new generation of experts and specialists in the area of gender and feminist studies;
4. To expand the knowledge base from which to draw for teachers and researchers.

Applications are approved by the School for Graduate Studies and Research (SGSR) on the recommendation of the IGDS. Students may be exempted from coursework on a case-by-case basis. Applicants who have completed graduate degrees with a substantial research component and who have an excellent record of scholarship in the field of Women or Gender Studies (or related fields/disciplines) may apply for direct entry to the PhD Programme. This must be approved by the School for Graduate Studies and Research on the recommendation of the IGDS. Supervisors may recommend that students take additional courses within IGDS and across faculties as needed for their research areas.

All PhD Candidates are required to complete the six core courses, two research field, three research seminars, and one research thesis or practice-based research thesis. Supervisors may recommend that students take additional courses across faculties as needed for their research areas.

Upgrade from MPhil to PhD

MPhil students can apply to upgrade to the PhD in their second year after successful completion of an upgrade seminar based on the quality of a substantial paper presented at a seminar of staff and students and assessed by three approved assessors. Applications are approved by the SGSR on the recommendation of the IGDS. Recommendations for transfer to the PhD will be initiated by the candidate’s Supervisor based on an assessment of the scope, depth and originality of the research in progress. Such recommendation will not normally be made before the beginning of the second year of registration. The upgrade must be completed before the end of the second year. A review committee of the Institute, which will take this assessment into account, will assess recommendations for transfer of registration. If the recommendation to transfer is approved by the SGSR, the candidate’s registration for the MPhil will terminate and the PhD registration will be dated from the date of the initial registration of the MPhil.

Requirements

Six Core Courses Required — 24 Credits

Semester I

Semester II

Semester III

Other Requirements — Non Credit

*** Indicates courses taught at both undergraduate and graduate levels.