Communication Studies: Gender and Women's Studies (Ph.D.)
Offered by: Art History & Communications (Faculty of Arts)
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy
Program Description
Candidates with an M.A. degree will be admitted at the Ph.D. 2 level, thereby gaining credit for one year of resident study. When admitted at Ph.D. 2 level, two years of residence are required for the doctoral degree.
The graduate option in Gender and Women's Studies is an interdisciplinary program for students who meet the degree requirements in Communication Studies who wish to earn 9 credits of approved coursework focusing on gender and women's studies, and issues in feminist research and methods. The student's doctoral thesis must be on a topic centrally relating to issues of gender and/or women's studies.
Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.
Thesis
A thesis for the doctoral degree must constitute original scholarship and must be a distinct contribution to knowledge. It must show familiarity with previous work in the field and must demonstrate ability to plan and carry out research, organize results, and defend the approach and conclusions in a scholarly manner. The research presented must meet current standards of the discipline; as well, the thesis must clearly demonstrate how the research advances knowledge in the field. Finally, the thesis must be written in compliance with norms for academic and scholarly expression and for publication in the public domain.
Required Courses (9 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COMS 616 | Staff-Student Colloquium 1. | 3 |
Staff-Student Colloquium 1. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Pro-Seminar in Communications. A required course for all new M.A. and Ph.D. students. The Pro-Seminar is designed to explore theoretical and methodological issues in Communications through a series of presentations by the faculty and other McGill associates. | ||
| COMS 702 | Comprehensive Examination. | 0 |
Comprehensive Examination. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Comprehensive examination as per departmental procedure. | ||
| COMS 703 | Dissertation Proposal. | 0 |
Dissertation Proposal. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Compulsory examination for all doctoral candidates. | ||
| WMST 601 | Feminist Theories and Methods. | 3 |
Feminist Theories and Methods. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Examination of feminist theories and research methods from a variety of disciplinary perspectives. | ||
| WMST 602 | Feminist Research Symposium. | 3 |
Feminist Research Symposium. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Discussion and development of participants' research in gender and women's studies. | ||
Complementary Courses (9 credits)
9 credits of 500-, 600-, or 700-level courses, which must include one 3-credit course on gender/women's issues at the graduate level (may be in the Department or outside).
Language Requirement
Ph.D. students must demonstrate proficiency in one or more languages other than English that is related to their dissertation research, as determined by their supervisor. Certain areas of study may require more extensive language training, which will be determined by individual supervisors. In cases where dissertation research does not require non-English proficiency, Ph.D. students must demonstrate proficiency in French.