The Culture, Society and Politics Program at Florida Atlantic University is designed to foster interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary study in the social sciences. It is structured to allow students the opportunity to develop deep expertise in one of three primary areas - sociology, anthropology or political science - and to bring their interests and scholarship related to these areas into conversation with other disciplines both within and outside of traditional social science fields. At the heart of the program is a commitment to the belief that comparative models of inquiry lead to unique advancements in the production of new knowledge and a greater awareness of the larger implications of such knowledge generally.
This program promotes interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary work through a cohesive course of study. All students follow an interdisciplinary core curriculum before developing, in consultation with their advisory committee, areas of specialization that might themselves be multidisciplinary. The program encourages students to address issues in cultures, societies and/or politics from multiple perspectives and to seek the convergence of these perspectives through the insights of interdisciplinary approaches.
Program Information
It is expected that students will enter the Ph.D. program with an M.A., M.S., J.D., or Ph.D. in hand. The Ph.D. curriculum in Culture, Society and Politics is organized as follows:
1 of CST 7309: Cultural Theory
1 of CST 7912: Research Design in Social Science
2 of CST 7936: Interdisciplinary Perspectives
A minimum of 8 additional graduate courses at the 6000 or 7000-level (from at least two different college programs)
CST 7910: Advanced Research and Study (1-9 credits)
CST 7980 – Dissertation Credits (a minimum of 12 dissertation credits)
TOTAL CREDITS: a minimum of 48 credits
Committee Members: By the end of the second year of coursework, the student will ask a faculty member to serve as his/her Major Professor for the dissertation. In consultation with the Major Professor, the student will ask at least two-three other faculty members to serve on his/her committee.
After completing 18 credits (one year) of coursework in the distribution requirements, students will submit an Application for Qualification to the Ph.D. Executive Committee. This committee will review the applicant's current progress to date through the program, their skills as a scholar/researcher and their progress in planning for the Comprehensive Examination and grant them continuing status in the program.
Comprehensive Exams
Students will take the comprehensive exams at the beginning of their third year of study. The exams consist of a written and oral component. The written exam is based on a reading list that includes, but is not limited to, course assignments. It will consist of a series of written essays. The successful completion of these written assignments will be followed by an oral exam within two weeks.
Satisfactory Completion of a Dissertation
The student will defend his/her Dissertation Prospectus at the beginning of Spring in Year 3. The dissertation will contain original research and will be defended before the student’s committee and others. Only the committee will vote on approval. Student must complete and defend the Dissertation before completion of the program.