Program Requirements
Students in the Doctoral Program must demonstrate, by passing a written and oral comprehensive examination, that
they have both an overall command of knowledge in Gender, Feminist and Women's Studies and in their area of
dissertation specialization. The successful completion of the exam indicates that the student is qualified to teach at
the university level, in undergraduate introductory and overview courses as well as in their own specific area. It also
indicates that the student is ready to begin a dissertation.
What is the Comprehensive Examination?
Graduate education at the doctoral level invariably includes at least three elements or stages which are academically
evaluated:
1.
2.
3.
Learning new, advanced knowledge
Synthesis and mastery of knowledge across broader fields than covered by individual courses; and
Acquisition of research skills and the application of those skills in an original contribution to knowledge.
The first is typically accomplished through course work and individualized supervision while the third is accomplished
primarily through the doctoral dissertation. The demonstration of the second is some form of examination beyond
those of individual courses: a comprehensive, qualifying or field examination.
The comprehensive exam challenges students to examine and synthesize a body of theory, and related empirical
research. Comprehensives combine breadth, depth and synthetic ability, without necessarily entailing exhaustive
knowledge of the field. Students are expected to demonstrate a broad understanding of the major theoretical
perspectives in the field and of key debates. Comprehensiveness also requires good knowledge of the alternative
approaches to relevant empirical research, key findings and their interpretation in relation to theoretical approaches
and gaps in current research.
The purpose of the comps is to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Provide an opportunity to bring a lot of material together and think it though in a coherent way;
Ensure students have a shared acquaintance with the field of GFWS as it has developed;
Prepare students to review a body of literature and relate it to proposed research projects;
Prepare students to research and teach in GFWS.
Prepare the students for academic jobs, first by preparing them for interviews: esp two popular job interview
questions: how would you teach an introductory GFWS course? what would you teach in an upper level
feminist theory course? and second, by preparing them to teach a variety of undergraduate courses.
The Comprehensive Exam Process and Timeline:
Students start the comps exams as soon as they have completed course work or as they are completing it, typically
in the summer of year one (term 3) or the fall of year two (term 4). The comps exam process takes about six months
and is normally completed by the end of year two (term 6).
The comps process, typical timefrrame, and actions required are outlined briefly below. A more detailed explanation
of each step follows. The comps exam process works at the program level (not FGS) so only the supervisory
committee and the Grad Study and/or GPD are involved. Students and their committees can negotiate the topics,
timeframes, frequency of meetings and other details to suit them.
i. selecting a committee: Winter/Summer year one (terms 2 or 3):
In consultation with the advisor, the student selects a Comprehensive Examination Committee, begins drafting the
problematic or overview statement for both the general and specific comps, and submits the PhD Comprehensive
Examination Committee Approval Form to the Program Office for approval by the Grad Study Committee (or the
GPD acting on their behalf).
ii. preparing the probelmatics and reading lists: Summer year one/Fall year two(terms 3 and 4):
In consultation with the committee, the student develops a one page overiew statement/ the problematic and the
readings lists for each of the General and the Specific exam. Once the committee has approved the final statements
and lists, and agreed on the format and timeframe, the student submits the PhD Comprehensive Examination
Problematics and Reading Lists Form with copies of the overview statements and reading lists to the Program
Office.
iii. studying for the comps: Fall/Winter/Summer year two (terms 4, 5, 6):
The student reads the material selected. The supervisor maintains regular contact with the student, and the
committee meets as decided. Ideally the full committee meets at least twice during the study period to discuss the
material.
iv. preparing for the exam:Winter/Summer year two (terms 5 or 6):
Once the committee has agreed the summary statements and sample questions/course outline are acceptable, the
student submits a Request for PhD Comprehensive Examination Form to the Program Office. The form must be
submitted one month before the exam date.
v. the written and oral exams: Winter/Summer year two (terms 5 or 6):
The supervisory committee sets the questions for the written exam and sends them to the GPA at least one week
before the exam date. The GPA emails the exam questions to the student on the day and at the time determined.
The student emails the written exam to the GPA on the day and at the time determined. The GPA sends the exam
answers to the committee. The oral exam should take place about two weeks after the written exam is submitted.
The supervisory committee evaluates the written questions and/or the course outline prior to the oral exam. The oral
exam covers both the written exam questions/course outline and all materials on the reading lists. At the conclusion
of the exam, the supervisory committee completes and signs the PhD Comprehensive Exam Evaluation Form.
The supervisor is responsible for submitting that form to the Program Office and for ensuring the student completes
any additional work required..
The Comprehensive Exam Process: Details
i. Selection of a Comprehensive Examination Committee
In consultation with the advisor and/or the Program Director, the student selects a committee of three faculty
members to serve on their Comprehensive Examination Committee. All faculty members must be appointed to FGS
and at least two must be members of the Gender, Feminist and Women's Studies Graduate Program, one of whom
must agree to serve as the principal supervisor for the comprehensive examination. Typically (but not necessarily),
members of the Examination Committee will also be members of the dissertation supervisory committee. Once the
Committee is selected, the student completes the PhD Comprehensive Examination Committee Form, which each
member of the Committee signs, and the student submits this form to the Program Office. It is expected that students
will have their committee in place by the beginning of the second year.
Note: At least one member of a supervisory committee for a comprehensive must have self-declared expertise in the
area of the comprehensive and the combined expertise of all three members should cover all areas of the
comprehensive examination. The supervisor and student should ensure that faculty expertise is identified on the
PhD Comprehensive Examination Committee Form.
The Graduate Study committee (or the GPD acting on its behalf) confirms that the committee meets the Program
requirements and notifies the student and the committee to proceed or asks for further clarification or changes.
ii. Overview Statements
In consultation with the Comprehensive Examination Committee, the student develops a one-page overview
statement or problematic and a reading list for each of the General and the Specific exam. These problematics
identify several central questions, key issues or conceptual frameworks which have informed feminist dialogue and
debate (e.g., how feminist theory has conceptualised the relations among gender, race and class; identity politics,).
The overview statement should also speak to the logic for determining or selecting the most pertinent literature
relevant to the central questions, key issues or problematics.
The General component of the comprehensive examination is intended to encourage the student to develop a depth
and breadth across a range of fields on Gender, Feminist and Women’s Studies, so the
questions/issues/problematics should draw on and apply to three or four of the main designated fields of gender,
feminist and women's studies identified in the Program.
1. Cultural and Literary Studies, Performance and Fine Arts
2. Diaspora,Transnational and Global Studies
3. Histories
4. Politics, Economies and Societies
5. Race
6. Sexualities
7. Theories and Methods
*Special Topics: A Student may choose a special topic as one of their ‘fields’ as in some cases there could be an
argument for reviewing another body of literature not covered by the seven key fields.
The goal is to ensure that the student has an appreciation of the breadth and depth of feminist scholarship.
For the Specific component of the comprehensive examination, the issues or problematics should relate to the
specific area of focus for the student's anticipated dissertation. (If the student prefers, and the supervisory committee
agrees, the Specific component of the comprehensive examination could focus on a topic unrelated to the
dissertation of particular interest to the student).
Note: The General and Specific problematics and reading lists should address significantly different areas. Students
and committees should make sure there is little or no overlap between the two.
Reading Lists
Again in consultation with the Comprehensive Examination Committee (and with suggestions from the Committee),
the student develops a reading list for each of the General and Specific components of the examination. Each list
should consist of approximately 25 books or the equivalent (50 items in total). Typically five articles or book chapters
are considered equivelent to one book.
The selection of readings should capture the interdisciplinarity of Gender, Feminist and Women's Studies and reflect
the complex, contradictory, and ambiguous relationships operating among diversities such as gender, race, class,
sexuality, ability. The Comprehensive Examination Committee must meet with the student at least once to formulate,
finalize and approve the lists. At this time, the student must indicate which option they are selecting for each
component of the examination: the four page problematic and written exam or the course outline (see # 6 below).
Approval of Overview Statements and Reading Lists
Once the committee has approved the final statements and lists, and agreed on the option chosen and the timeframe,
the student submits thePhD Comprehensive Examination Problematics and Reading Lists Form with
copies of the overview statements and reading lists to the Program Office.
Literature Review
The student reads the items on the Reading Lists identifying the central problematics, key issues and major questions
uncovered in the literature.
Summary Statements and Sample Questions or Course Outline
Students have two options:
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Option 1: The student prepares a summary statement and three sample examination questions for each of
the General and Specific components of the examination.
Option 2 : The student prepares a summary statement and sample examination questions for one of either
the General or the Specific components of the examination and prepares a course outline for the other.
Note: The course outline is due at the same time as the four-page problematic/review statement and potential
questions (four weeks prior to the written exam).
Summary Statements and Sample Questions
These summary statements (about 4 pages each) are based on the readings and include a brief description of the
problematics, key issues and/or central questions and debates in the literature as well sample examination questions.
For each of the two components of the examination, the student will prepare three questions relating to the major
questions, key issues or problematics revealed in the literature review. The Comprehensive Examination Committee
meets with the student at least once to discuss the problematics/central questions. The student submits drafts of the
two four page problematics/summary statements and sample questions/course outline to the committee.
Course Outline
1.
General Comp course outline option:
Based on the reading list for the General component of the comprehensive examination, the student will
prepare a course outline for a full year 2000 level undergraduate course. This course outline will include: a
course description including the goals and learning objectives of the course, a weekly class schedule
(assuming a 3 hour class time per week with a minimum of 1 hour and maximum of 2 hour lecture plus a
seminar) that indicates the topic, lecture, and readings for each week, including a written explanation of how
the readings relate to the topic. The student will also write detailed outlines of two of the lectures, and one
of these lectures will be written out in an essay format.
2.
Specific Comp course outline option:
Based on the reading list for the Specific component of the comprehensive examination, the student will
prepare a course outline for a half year senior seminar (4000 level undergraduate course). This course
outline will include: a course description that sets out in detail the focus of the course and its theoretical and
methodological underpinnings, explaining why the topics and readings were selected. The outline will also
provide a weekly class schedule that specifies the topic and reading assignments for each week, and a
paragraph detailing the nature and rationale of each class and its overall place within the course. The focus
for this course outline is on articulating the theoretical and methodological underpinnings and goals in the
course description, and on providing rationales for the readings and focus of each class in realizing those
ends. The student will also write detailed outlines of two of the lectures, and one of these lectures will be
written out in an essay format.
Approval of Summary Statements and Sample Questions and Scheduling of the Examination:
The examination will be held, typically, within six months of, and no more than one year, from the date the
Comprehensive Examination Committee approves the one page overview/problematics and reading lists. Once all
committee members have agreed that the summary statements and sample questions and/or the course outline are
acceptable, the student completes and submits the Request for PhD Comprehensive Examination Form to the
Program Office, confirming that the committee members have approved the summary statements and sample
questions/course outline and that the student and all committee members have agreed on the time frame option, as
well as the dates for both the written and oral parts of the examination. This must be submitted at least one month
before the written exam date.
Note: The course outline option does not involve a written exam.
Three options are available to students with regard to the specific timing format for writing the general and/or specific
components of the examination:
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Option 1
the student writes two three-hour papers, on site at York (or in an approved location) within a period of one
week.
Option 2
the student writes the two papers over a period of two weeks, writing one question per week.
Option 3
the student writes the two papers over a period of one month.
The papers for Options 2 and 3 will be 4000-5000 words each.
Preparation of the Written Examination
For each of the General and/or the Specialized components of the written examination, the Comprehensive
Examination Committee, coordinated by the principal supervisor, will set three questions based on the student's
problematics or central questions as reflected in the works on the reading lists and using if they choose, some or all
of the questions formulated by the student. The examination questions are sent by the principal supervisor to the
Program Assistant at least one week before the examination date. The Program Assistant is responsible for providing
the student (via e-mail and if requested, by hard copy) with the questions on the appropriate date.
Completion of the Written Examination
For each examination component (General and Specific), students will write on only one of the three questions
provided by the Committee. Completed papers are submitted to the Program Assistant who then distributes the
completed written examination responses to all members of the Comprehensive Examination Committee. If members
of the Comprehensive Examination Committee have serious concerns at this point about the appropriateness of the
student proceeding to the oral examination, the principal supervisor should inform the Program Director and they
should decide whether to proceed with the oral exam or ask for further revisions.
Completion of the Oral Examination
An oral examination will be held, normally, about two weeks after completion of the written examination. It covers the
student’s responses to the written examination questions, the course outline if selected, as well as the material on
both reading lists. The oral examination is, typically, about two hours in duration. The format for the oral examination
is as follows.
Once the members have convened, the Candidate is excused, the Comprehensive Examination Committee should
discuss whether, on the basis of the completed written aspect of the requirement, the candidate is ready to proceed
to the oral. The proposed format of the oral should also be approved prior to inviting the candidate back into the
room.
The candidate is then invited to comment on their written examination and if relevant, the course outline. This
provides an opportunity for the student to address any errors or omissions in the written work that upon reflection may
have occurred to them. It also allows the student to enlarge upon the issues addressed in the written examination and
if relevant, the course outline. Each person on the Committee is invited to pose questions on the written exam and if
relevant, the course outline and the Committee may wish to revisit questions the candidate did not select. This format
is intended to allow a conversation or dialogue to develop. The oral continues until each member of the examination
committee is satisfied and/or has asked all the questions they wishe to pose. The candidate is invited to make a
concluding statement if they wish and is then asked to leave the room.
Members of the Comprehensive Examination Committee evaluate both the written and oral parts of the examination.
Following this deliberation, the candidate is invited back into the room and informed of the Committee's decision.
Note: All committee members must attend the oral examination. However, if on the day of the exam, one member of
the examining committee fails to attend as planned, the examination may proceed, at the discretion of the principal
supervisor and with the agreement of the student, as long as at least two members of the examining committee are
present.
Evaluation
The Comprehensive Examination Committee will evaluate both the written and the oral aspects of the examination.
The ratings are: Pass, Pass with Conditions, and Unsatisfactory. A “Pass with Conditions” will specify additional work
to be done and provide a time frame for completion of this work. (If this requirement is not met, the student will
receive an “Unsatisfactory” rating on the examination.). Students with an “Unsatisfactory” rating may retake the
examination within the next three months. Two comprehensive examinations receiving an “Unsatisfactory” rating
result in a failure on the comprehensive examination, and the student will be required to withdraw from the Program.
The Committee signs the PhD Comprehensive Examination Evaluation Form. The supervisor submits the
form to the Program Assistant who records the results in the student's file.