Doctor of Philosophy in Performance Studies - Native American Studies

The Ph.D. in Performance Studies is a four to five year program. In the first two years of study, students develop an understanding of performance by drawing from a range of regular course offerings in the field to identify, explore, and define a field or fields of research. Students are required to complete four core courses out of nine. Each individual program is then built from seminar and/or practice as research courses, as well as independent or group studies. The four courses consist of PFS 200, and three of the four offered PFS 265 A, B, C, or D. Each quarter there are a variety of PFS 265s offered apart from core 265s that will satisfy the requirements. Students are required to complete four core courses out of five in performance studies, and one colloquium course. Each individual program is then built from seminar and/or practice as research courses, as well as independent or group studies, developing one or more of the four strands of the program: Comparative Medias, Embodiments, Cultures/Ecologies, and History/Text. A wide range of affiliated faculty offer courses throughout the HArCS faculty, and Designated Emphases are available in Studies in Performance & Practice, African American & African Studies, Critical Theory, Feminist Theory & Research, Native American Studies, Religious Studies, Science & Technology Studies, and Writing, Rhetoric & Composition Studies. Students are required to complete a minimum of 60 units before taking the qualifying examination. No more than 12 units may be taken below the graduate level unless specifically approved by the Ph.D. graduate program advisor.

The Designated Emphasis in Native American Studies focuses hemispherically upon the indigenous peoples of the Americans, that is, upon the peoples, nations, tribes, and communities whose ancestors have lived in North, Central and South America from earliest times. This unique hemispheric approach includes attention to the increasing dislocation and diaspora of indigenous people throughout the Americas, and calls upon the authority of Native intelligence (Native voices, Native texts) in all its forms and manifestations to address the issues that concern Native peoples, including the creative strategies for continuance they have developed over the centuries.

Three letters of recommendation

Statement of Purpose

Personal History and Diversity Statement

A curriculum vitae

A sample of critical writing (20-40 pages)

A portfolio (where appropriate).

A minimum GPA requirement of 3.0 or international equivalent

A Bachelor's or Master's degree or equivalent

The Graduate Record Examination (General Test) is not required.

TOEFL iBT - Minimum Score: 80
IELTS - Minimum Score 7.0 on a 9-point scale