Doctor of Philosophy in Social and Political Thought - Economy, Consciousness, Aesthetics and Society

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.Courses in the Economy, Consciousness, Aesthetics and Society field would prepare students to develop innovative research programs relative to central theoretical and practical problems that have traditionally been of considerable importance in the program. These include methodologies for investigating consciousness, such as psychoanalysis, phenomenology, and the linguistic turn, as well as the study of culture through communications and cultural theories, theories of artistic production, and the analysis of the work of particular artists or schools. These theories and practices are generally considered in light of social and economic questions surrounding inequality and exclusion, relations of power and domination, and other problems endemic to contemporary society, with a special emphasis on the often inescapable influence of capitalism.