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Faculty of Culture, Creative and Performing Arts

Department of Cultural Studies

Programmes

PhD Practice-Based Degree in Cultural Studies

PhD Practice-Based Degree in Cultural Studies.png

About the Programme

The discipline of Cultural Studies seeks to unpack the complex and often contested nature of cultural practices, expressions, and representations. It recognizes culture not just as a reflection of society, but as a tool used to understand, challenge and reshape social norms and political systems.

The Postgraduate Programme in Cultural Studies at the University of the West Indies (Cave Hill) is designed to foster a deep engagement with these critical questions in the particular context of the Caribbean. The program stimulates a nuanced, interdisciplinary approach to the study of culture, while also encouraging critical reflection on the role of academics, artists and cultural practitioners in shaping Caribbean identities and experiences within the region, its diaspora and beyond.

 

What Will I Study?

In Practice-Based Research in Cultural Studies, questions relevant to theoretical discussions and models in the field of Cultural Studies are investigated partly by means of a creative or arts-based practice. Practice is seen as being an integral part of the research process and a supplemental means through which knowledge is created and disseminated. The creative outcomes of the research, such as a play, a film, a concert, recital, body of works or an exhibition, are assessed as part of the student’s MA, MPhil, or PhD degree along with a written component. 

The practical and written components of practice-based degrees form a coherent whole. Both components must address the research question(s) and especially at the PhD level, communicate advances in knowledge. The written component provides the theoretical and conceptual framework for critical assessment and review; the practical component allows for an exploration of the identified issues in a tangible form, e.g. a work of art.  

At a Glance

  • Degree Level: Postgraduate
  • Qualification: MPhil/PhD
  • Duration: Full-time 5 years, Part-time 7 years

Contact


Programme Details

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Practice-Based Degree

For the award of the MPhil Cultural Studies Practice-Based degree, students are required to successfully complete 4 compulsory courses (16 credits) including CLTR 6030, two (2) research seminars and a research thesis as outlined below:

For the award of the PhD Cultural Studies Practice-Based degree, students are required to successfully complete 16 credits of compulsory courses—including CLTR 6030, three (3) research seminars and a research thesis as outlined below:

I. Compulsory Courses (16 credits)
CLTR6030 Dynamics of Caribbean Culture (8cr) – year-long course
CLTR 6000 Theory & Conceptualisation of Culture (4cr) 
CLTR 6100 Methods of Inquiry in Cultural Studies (4cr)

II. Research Seminars (3 seminars required)
GRSM 8001 PhD Research Seminar 1
GRSM 8002 PhD Research Seminar 2
GRSM 8003 PhD Research Seminar 3

III. PhD Thesis
CLTR 8000 PhD Cultural Studies

Assessment:
At the PhD level, both the practical and written components have to make an input to existing debates in the subject area by introducing new knowledge or paradigms. The written component is weighted at 50% and the practical component at 50% of the overall mark. The length of the written component is 40,000 – 50,000 words. Creative productions should form part of  a rigorous process of inquiry, research, and - practice. The creative product examined could be one of the following:

1) A theatrical production
2) A film
3) An exhibition or launch of the work produced
4) A musical performance
5) A dance/movement production
6) An interdisciplinary creative work
7) Masquerade/Festival Arts creative work/performance

Student tuition fees can be found on the School for Graduate Studies and Research website. Visit https://www.cavehill.uwi.edu/gradstudies/future-students/programme-fees.aspx.

In addition to the UWI minimum entry requirements, the specific entry requirements for each programme in the Faculty of Culture, Creative and Performing Arts are as follows:

Practice-Based degree:

Applicants possessing an undergraduate degree and/or an acceptable portfolio showcasing their body of work viz:
 
a. Undergraduate degree in a creative discipline or related field as follows:

  • For entry to the MA programme—Lower Second-Class Honours
  • For entry to the MPhil programme—at least Upper Second-Class Honours
  • For entry to the PhD programme– at least Upper Second-Class Honours and a Master’s degree in a field relevant to Cultural Studies or may provide the required portfolio.
 
b. Applicants for the MA degree, who do not have an undergraduate degree in the creative field they wish to pursue, but who can document significant experience, achievements and critical recognition in the field can submit a portfolio of their previous creative work and records of accomplishments for consideration.
 
c. Applicants without a first degree from an approved Tertiary Level Institution may be considered for admission to a Graduate Diploma or Degree programme. A recommendation from a Department to the Campus Committee that the University accept such an applicant, must be accompanied by full statement of the applicant’s academic qualifications and work experience, as well as an overall assessment of the ability of the applicant to pursue graduate studies at The UWI. This recommendation must be forwarded to the Board Graduate Studies and Research for final approval.
 
Candidates admitted without a degree may be required to register for additional courses as the department stipulates. Such requirements must be included in the offer of admission.