Doctor of Philosophy in Social and Political Thought - Black Studies and Theories of Race and Racism

York University

The Graduate Program in Social & Political Thought is a graduate program that offers both MA and PhD degree programs. This is an interdisciplinary graduate program that encourages interdisciplinary inquiry and scholars who enjoy working independently on their research projects.SPTH offers both MA and PhD degrees programs and, in cooperation with the participating academic disciplines from across the university, the program’s curriculum is structured around three flexible areas of study:The History of Social and Political ThoughtBlack Studies and Theories of Race and RacismEconomy, Consciousness, Aesthetics and SocietyThe three areas of study are not meant to be mutually exclusive. As members of an interdisciplinary program, students are encouraged to study in more than one area and combine elements of them if their project so dictates. In selecting their courses, students can acquire a broad interdisciplinary knowledge of the relevant fields, in addition to pursuing their own specialized interests. In all cases students will have to take considerable personal initiative to develop an intellectually coherent pattern of study which will lead to the writing of an original MRP or doctoral dissertation in Social and Political Thought. Where relevant, students will be required to be adequately prepared in those languages essential to their dissertation research. The program is thus ideal for self-directed students with diverse intellectual interests.The Black Studies and Theories of Race and Racism prepares students to develop innovative scholarship that explores and analyzes the distinct contributions of Black intellectual, political, and cultural productions, nationally and internationally, as well as to critically investigate and develop new methods and theories of critical, interdisciplinary scholarship on race and racism. This provides frameworks for the study of practices of power and domination that underpin processes such as colonialism and slavery, migration and diasporization, globalization, criminalization, and racial profiling as well as for understanding struggles for liberation and self-determination.