The PhD is designed as two years of coursework beyond the MA plus the researching and writing of an original dissertation that contributes significantly to the discipline, with at least three years in residence. The program is designed on an individual basis to explore the nature of, and approaches to, the research topic. Each individual program builds upon the student’s strengths and addresses specific needs. Core seminars on Performance Historiography and Critical Methodologies anchor the program of study. In addition, the students who entered in Fall 2016 selected among doctoral seminars on Shakespeare Rewritten, Race and/as Performance, Acting Theory, Dramatic Writing, Laughter, and Asian Theatre, along with electives in theatre practice and select topics in the history and theory of theatre and film. The degree requires 40 hours of coursework, including: GradFIRST (1 hour); Seminar in Critical Methods (3 hours); Seminar in History of Performance Arts/ THEA 8200 (3 hours); At least 12 hours of additional 8400-level seminars in the department; At least 9 hours of major electives in the history of theatre or performance from a selected list; At least 6 hours in cognate field(s); PhD Proseminar (1 hour); Prospectus Workshop (1 hour); At least 10 hours of dissertation research. The PhD also requires competence in a foreign language or other research skill. Candidacy is granted upon passing all portfolio reviews and comprehensive exams and approval of a dissertation prospectus.
