All PhD students in SPTH then proceed to:

• A Comprehensive Oral Examination
• A Dissertation Proposal
• The Dissertation

Comprehensive Oral Examination (Comps)

The PhD Comps are a comprehensive examination, taken after all requirements in option 1 or option 2 have been completed, and prior to writing the dissertation.
The purpose of the comprehensive examination is two-fold:

1. To provide an adequate background and intelligible context for the writing of an interdisciplinary dissertation;
2. To ensure sufficient breadth of scholarly knowledge to prepare the candidate for a career in university research and teaching.

The doctoral student, in consultation with the examining committee, defines two fields on which the student wishes to be examined. One field will be designated the major field, the other the minor field.
Determination of the fields should be guided by the following considerations:

1. Fields must not be excessively narrow
2. One field must not subsume another
3. Both fields may not be primarily in the same discipline
4. At least one field must not be limited primarily to the twentieth century.

Students are not expected to have total mastery of any field but should demonstrate a broad familiarity with the major texts, issues and critics in any given field.
Examples of acceptable fields include - but are not limited to:

• Psychoanalysis/ Psychoanalytic Theory
• Structuralist and Poststructuralist Theory
• Postcolonial Theory
• Queer Theory
• Feminist Theory
• Race Critical Theory
• Kant and Enlightenment
• Globalization and the Nation State
• Social Theories of Religion and Modernity
• Problems in 20th Century Historiography
• Theorizing HIV/AIDS
• Philosophical Anthropology
• Theories of the body
• Aesthetic Theory and Public Spaces
• Hegel and Marx: Theories of the State
• Themes in Critical Theory
• Art and Revolution
• Theories of Narratology
• History of Childhood

Prior to the comps candidates will present a bibliography of the texts relevant to the chosen fields. The bibliography should include a minimum of (and not much more than) twenty-five (25)  significant entries in the major field and a minimum of (and not much more than) fifteen (15) entries for the minor field. The examination will focus attention on the material listed in the bibliography. The bibliography must be approved by the examining committee prior to setting the date for the examination. Candidates are advised to consult with their examining committee when preparing the bibliography.

*Arrangements with respect to time, place, date and composition of the examining committee must be made through the Program office for the Director's approval at least one month prior to the examination*. The comps examination committee consists of three members of the Program who are familiar with a student's work and the Director, or his/her representative. The student will consult with their committee members to determine a suitable date and time for the exam. The student will then provide to the Director (in writing or by email), the names of the three committee members, the proposed time and date of the exam, and the bibliography, and will set up a meeting with the Director to discuss potential Director's Reps. Once the bibliography and committee is approved by the Director, the Program Assistant will contact the faculty members nominated for the Director's Rep. and arrange the comprehensive exam. Official notification of the exam will be sent (by email) to all participants from the Program Office.

For students pursuing the coursework only option:
The exam may only be set if all coursework has been completed and all grades for the coursework have been submitted.

For students pursing the coursework and MRP option:
The exam date may only be set if both the coursework has been completed, and the PHD Major Research Paper has been read and passed by two readers, (usually the supervisor and one of the two committee members who will participate in the comps).

See our Frequently Asked Question for more information

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Dissertation Proposals

After the successful completion of the comprehensive requirement the student will prepare a dissertation proposal which must be written to the supervisory committee's satisfaction.
In no more than 2500 words (10 pages, double spaced) the proposal should outline:

1. The topic of the proposed research and its interdisciplinary nature;
2. Its relation to the traditions of social and political thought out of which it arises;
3. The languages other than English, if any, which are needed to complete the dissertation satisfactorily;
4. The travel, if any, needed to pursue the research;
5. The approximate length of time required to complete the dissertation;
6. A basic bibliography set out formally; (Please note: the bibliography is not part of the 2500 word limit, as the bibliography may be as long, or longer than the proposal in length.)
7. A chapter outline indicating the themes and substantive issues to be studied. Generally a few sentences or a paragraph will suffice for each chapter;
8. A Schedule of Completion
9. A set of up to 5 keywords identifying the topic for the Graduate Faculty dissertation database.

Students should be reminded that a dissertation proposal is just that - a proposal. The finished product, a definitive argument, with well-rounded conclusions, etc. are not expected in a proposal (they are absolutely necessary in the dissertation!). What the proposal should indicate in a general and concise manner are the claims/themes/controversies/hypotheses/ arguments/ directions, etc. that the student plans to take up in the course of his/her research and writing.
All proposals submitted to the Program office must include the following:

1. The Thesis and Dissertation Proposal Form  (TD1 form) with all appropriate committee signatures.
2. The Dissertation Proposals Appraisal Form with signed approval by committee members.
3. If appropriate, the FGS Human Participants Research Protocol Form (TD2 form).

The proposal cannot be reviewed without all committee approvals and all relevant related paperwork.

The dissertation proposal must be submitted and approved by both the program and FGS at least six months prior to the PhD oral defence.
Some examples of well-prepared dissertation proposals are available for viewing in the Program Office

Review of the Dissertation Proposal

The dissertation proposal will be reviewed by the Advisory Committee with particular attention to the following matters:

1. Intelligibility and general intellectual coherence of the proposed work;
2. Scope of the work or its appropriateness as a dissertation;
3. Interdisciplinary nature of the work;
4. Composition of the proposed supervisory committee in light of the topic, and relevant faculty appointments to SPTH.

The Advisory Committee is comprised of 3 faculty members, including the Director, and 2 voting student members. The Director will inform the candidate and supervisor of any comments, suggestions or concerns.

If the Advisory Committee assesses the proposal and requests revisions or clarifications, the student and supervisor will receive written comments and will be requested to resubmit the proposal once revisions have been made. In the case of serious doubt or disagreement, the Advisory committee shall make a report to the Executive Committee for any resolution. Only upon resolution by the Advisory Committee and/or the Executive Committee will the proposal be submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies for approval.

Deadlines for submission of PhD Thesis proposals for program review are determined at the start of the academic year.

A meeting to consider the proposal can be requested at any time by the Candidate, the supervisor, the Director, or the Advisory Committee. If a meeting is to be held, it is highly recommended that the Candidate and the candidate's supervisor attend the session at which the Advisory Committee formally considers the dissertation proposal.

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The Dissertation

By entering into the PhD Program, the student has made a commitment to devote the time and energy necessary to engage in research and write a dissertation which constitutes a substantial and original contribution to knowledge in Social and Political Thought.

Dissertations should adhere to the format set forth in the "Guidelines for the Preparation and Examination of Theses and Dissertations" published by the Faculty of Graduate Studies. Thesis Guidelines of the Faculty of Graduate Studies Copies are available in the SPTH office or in the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

In conjunction with the supervisor and supervisory committee, the PhD Candidate develops an intended timetable for completion of all stages of the dissertation, and works to realize that timetable, meeting appropriate deadlines. The Candidate should meet regularly with the supervisor to review progress, normally at least once a month, and not less than once each term. Interaction with other members of the supervisory committee should take place as appropriate.

Students wishing to view dissertations by SPTH alumni may have access to the bound dissertations through the Program Director, although dissertations may not be borrowed or used outside of the SPTH offices. In addition, the Scott Library maintains dissertations of all York graduate students.

Students who are working on their Dissertation may request Extended Library Loan Privileges. The form is available in the SPTH program office.

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The success of a doctoral study greatly depends upon having a supervisor and a committee that work closely with the student. It is important that a supervisor and the committee be identified at the early stages of the study.
A supervisor must be recommended by the Director for approval by the Dean of Graduate Studies no later than the end of the fifth term of study (end of second term of PhD II).
 A supervisory committee must be recommended by the Director for approval by the Dean of Graduate Studies no later than the end of the eighth term of study (end of second term of PhD III).

Tips for Putting Together a Supervisory Committee

1. Initially, every student meets with the Program Director. This is a good place to start as the Director knows all the SPTH courses and has a good grasp of the research areas that SPTH faculty members work in. The Advising meeting will mainly focus on what courses you are interested in taking, but as these courses should incorporate your own research interests the first place to look for potential Supervisory Committee members is the Course directors for the courses you take.
   
   
2. Other students: Throughout the year, you will meet other students that share some of your research interests. Talk with them to find out who is helpful, knowledgeable, and actively researching in an area you want to work in.
   
   
3. Check out faculty member's publications. In this way, you not only know what they are researching, but also their interpretation of the field. Are your views compatible with theirs?
   
   
4. Participate in SPTH committees. All the committees in the program have faculty members on them, and many (Admissions, Executive) need to discuss research interests within their purview. A number of students find potential committee members based on the discussions in these meetings.
   
   
5. Meet with faculty members. Be prepared to talk about your research interests. Ask them about their research.
   
   
6. Attend SPTH program seminars and social events: these give you a chance to lean about the research of professors in the program and to mix and mingle with other students and faculty. Talking in a relaxed environment is often a good way to find out about someone's research interests.
   
   
7. If you still can't find the right people for your committee, meet with the Director. We may have to look outside of SPTH for one or more members of your committee. Although your supervisor must be appointed to SPTH that does not mean that they must be in the program already. If there is a faculty member who works in your field, they may be appointed to the program if they are willing, and if they meet the criteria for appointment to the program and to FGS. In addition, one of your committee members can be from another graduate program here at York.
   
   
8. The Director will consult with the supervisor concerning recommendations to the Dean for the appointment of outside examiners for the dissertation committee.

Changing Members of the Supervisory Committee

Occasionally committee members have to be changed. The reasons for the change may vary – sometimes a faculty member falls ill, or will be out of the country or on sabbatical at a crucial time for your dissertation, other times your research direction may change and another faculty member working in that area would be beneficial to your committee. Students seeking to change committee members should proceed as follows:

1. The committee member who is being replaced must be contacted and agree (in writing or email) to the change.
   
   
2. The new member must agree to join the committee. They must be appointed to the Faculty of Graduate Studies, and – depending on the composition of your committee - may need to be appointed to SPTH.
   
   
3. The SPTH director must receive notification from both faculty members of the change as well as a statement from the student indicating the reason for the change.
   
   
4. Where a student has already submitted the dissertation proposal, the above correspondence must be submitted to the Associate Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies for approval, and updated on the Dissertation Proposals Appraisal Form (TD1)

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