Graduate Studies, Office of the Dean
York University
230 York Lanes - 4700 Keele Street 1
Toronto, ON, Canada M3J 1P3
Tel: (416) 736-5521
yorku.ca/grads
Change to Program/Graduate Diploma Academic Requirements
Proposal Template
The following information is required for all proposals involving a change to program/graduate diploma academic
requirements, including admission requirements. To facilitate the review/approval process, please use the headings
below (and omit the italicized explanations below each heading).
1. Program/Graduate Diploma:
Humanities
2. Effective Session of Proposed Change(s):
FW 2015/16
3. Proposed Change(s) and Rationale
The description of and rationale for the proposed change(s) should provide information with respect to
each of the following points. Please provide:
a) A description of the proposed change(s) and rationale, including alignment with academic
plans.
1. The Graduate Program in Humanities proposes the creation of a mandatory 3-credit course for PhD
students GS/6500: Advanced Methodologies for Interdisciplinary Humanities. The proposal is
prompted by discussions among the executive, faculty members, and current graduate students, all of
whom welcome the introduction of such a course. The course is intended to assist students in acquiring
an advanced methodological and theoretical apparatus for interdisciplinary Humanities research, define
their areas of field specialization, and prepare the lists for their comprehensive exams. It will normally be
taken by students in their second year of studies. The creation of such a course has been identified by
faculty and students as a desideratum for a timely completion of the comprehensive exam and
dissertation proposal requirements.
2. GS/HUMA 5001/6001 0.0 - Graduate Seminar for MA/PhD Students will be retired. For PhD
students, the learning objectives of this not-for-credit course will be integrated into the proposed
mandatory course. For MA students, the mandatory course GS/HUMA 5100 6.0 Core Practices and
Methodologies in Humanities Research, taught since 2012/13, has already been successful in training
MA students in interdisciplinary methodologies and leading them to a timely completion of their MRP’s.
b) An outline of the changes to requirements and the associated learning outcomes, including
how the proposed requirements will support the achievement of program/graduate diploma
learning objectives.
1. PhD students will be required to take GS/6500: Advanced Methodologies for Interdisciplinary
Humanities as part of their course requirements. This course is specifically targeted towards the
following Program Learning Objectives:
.) demonstrate mastery of theoretical and methodological frameworks and issues that cannot be
contained within the bounds of traditional disciplines
.) explain and critique western and non- western humanist traditions in contexts that are both
historical and contemporary
.) situate research approaches, questions and methodologies in apposite frameworks and
extend those frameworks for their own research
) develop unique research topics that fit into an interdisciplinary humanities framework and lead
to new knowledge
.) frame specific research agendas based on interdisciplinary Humanities approaches
.) develop research proposals for both individual and collaborative projects
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Graduate Studies, Office of the Dean
York University
230 York Lanes - 4700 Keele Street 2
Toronto, ON, Canada M3J 1P3
Tel: (416) 736-5521
yorku.ca/grads
2. GS/HUMA 5001/6001 0.0 - Graduate Seminar for MA/PhD Students will no longer be required, as its
learning objectives are integrated into GS/6500: Advanced Methodologies for Interdisciplinary
Humanities and GS/HUMA 5100 6.0 Core Practices and Methodologies in Humanities Research.
c) An overview of the consultation undertaken with relevant academic units and an assessment of
the impact of the modifications on other programs/graduate diplomas. (Where and as appropriate,
the proposal must include statements from the relevant program/graduate diplomas confirming
consultation/support.)
N/A: no other programs will be affected.
d) A summary of any resource implications and how they are being addressed. (Attention should be
paid to whether the proposed changes will be supported by a reallocation of existing resources or if
new/additional resources are required. If new/additional resources are required, the proposal must
include a statement from the relevant Dean(s)/Principal.)
No additional resources are required.
e) A summary of how students currently enrolled in the program/graduate diploma will be
accommodated.
This change only affects incoming students, starting in 2015/16.
4. Calendar Copy
Using the following two-column format, provide a copy of the relevant program/graduate diploma
requirements as they will appear in the graduate Calendar.
Existing Program/Graduate Diploma Information
(change from)
MASTER OF ARTS PROGRAM
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
1.Course Requirements
i.Students are required to take the equivalent of
three full graduate courses consistent with their
plan of study;
ii. one of the courses must be “Core Practices and
Methodologies in Humanities Research”;
iii. at least two of the three courses must be in the
Graduate Program in Humanities; and,
iv.one of the three courses may be a directed
reading course (Humanities 5000 3.0 or 6.0), as
approved by the program director.
2.Major Research Essay
Students are required to demonstrate in a major
research essay their
grasp of a subject within the interdisciplinary study
of culture in humanities. The major research essay
may be related to the work that students have done
in one or more of their courses, but it must
demonstrate independent research. It is normally to
be completed by the end of the summer of the first
year of study. The major research essay is formally
evaluated and graded by two humanities faculty
Proposed Program/Graduate Diploma Information
(change to)
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY PROGRAM
1.Course Requirements
i. Students are required to take the equivalent of
three full graduate courses consistent with their
plan of study, as approved by their supervisor and
the program director.
ii. At least two of the three courses must be in the
Graduate Program in Humanities.
iii. One of the three courses may be a directed
reading course (Humanities 6000 3.0 or 6.0), as
approved by the student’s supervisor and the
program director.
iv. Students are required to take GS/6500 3.0:
Advanced Practices and Methodologies in
Humanities Research as part of their course
requirements.
2.Comprehensive Examination
The objectives of the comprehensive examination
are to prepare and qualify students to teach
undergraduate courses in the areas examined and
to equip students with the specialized knowledge
they need to undertake research on their doctoral
dissertation. The comprehensive examination is
oral rather than written. Students are normally
expected to take the examination at the end of their
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Graduate Studies, Office of the Dean
York University
members chosen by the program director in
consultation with the student. One of these faculty
members serves as supervisor, the other
as second reader.
3.Humanities Graduate Seminar
MA candidates are required to take part in a noncredit seminar
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY PROGRAM
1.Course Requirements
i. Students are required to take the equivalent of
three full graduate courses consistent with their
plan of study, as approved by their supervisor and
the program director.
ii. At least two of the three courses must be in the
Graduate Program in Humanities.
iii. One of the three courses may be a directed
reading course (Humanities 6000 3.0 or 6.0), as
approved by the student’s supervisor and the
program director.
2.Comprehensive Examination
The objectives of the comprehensive examination
are to prepare and qualify students to teach
undergraduate courses in the areas examined and
to equip students with the specialized knowledge
they need to undertake research on their doctoral
dissertation. The comprehensive examination is
oral rather than written. Students are normally
expected to take the examination at the end of their
second or at the beginning of their third year of
registration. Candidates are required to
demonstrate comprehensive knowledge within the
designated areas on the examination. Evidence of
such comprehensive knowledge is assessed on the
basis of the candidate’s competence in providing
answers to questions during the examination that
address the material on the reading lists in relation
to significant critical and theoretical issues. In the
case of failure students are permitted to re-sit the
examination only once, and the re-examination is to
take place within six months of the date of the first
examination. A second failure requires withdrawal
from the program. The examination committee is
composed of four faculty members: the program
director or her/his representative; the student’s
supervisor; and two faculty members appointed to
the Faculty of Graduate Studies (at least one of
whom must be a member of the Graduate Program
in Humanities) appointed by the director in
consultation with the student and the supervisor.
Candidates for the doctorate must select two areas
of study, the major and the minor. The
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Tel: (416) 736-5521
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second or at the beginning of their third year of
registration. Candidates are required to
demonstrate comprehensive knowledge within the
designated areas on the examination. Evidence of
such comprehensive knowledge is assessed on the
basis of the candidate’s competence in providing
answers to questions during the examination that
address the material on the reading lists in relation
to significant critical and theoretical issues. In the
case of failure students are permitted to re-sit the
examination only once, and the re-examination is to
take place within six months of the date of the first
examination. A second failure requires withdrawal
from the program. The examination committee is
composed of four faculty members: the program
director or her/his representative; the student’s
supervisor; and two faculty members appointed to
the Faculty of Graduate Studies (at least one of
whom must be a member of the Graduate Program
in Humanities) appointed by the director in
consultation with the student and the supervisor.
Candidates for the doctorate must select two areas
of study, the major and the minor. The
comprehensive examination assesses the student’s
overall knowledge of both areas. The major area is
a coherent and definable area of scholarship within
one of the program fields:
 comparative perspectives and cultural
boundaries;
 religion, values and culture; or
 science, technology and culture.
The major area is normally the broad area within
which the dissertation is written and the area in
which graduates would claim to be able to offer
courses at the undergraduate survey level. The
minor area is a more specialized subsection of the
major area. The minor area covers the more
specialized knowledge that students need to
research and to write their dissertation. It is also the
area in which graduates would claim to be able to
offer upper-level courses or research seminars.
The definition of the major and minor areas are
determined by the director, the candidate and the
dissertation supervisor and approved by the
director at least six months before the qualifying
examination. Students are required to prepare
reading lists for both the major and minor areas of
their comprehensive examination and to have them
approved by their dissertation supervisors.
3.Language Requirement
Students who are working in an area where they
only need English must demonstrate to the
members of their supervisory committee that
they are able to read one language other than
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Graduate Studies, Office of the Dean
York University
comprehensive examination assesses the student’s
overall knowledge of both areas. The major area is
a coherent and definable area of scholarship within
one of the program fields:
 comparative perspectives and cultural
boundaries;
 religion, values and culture; or
 science, technology and culture.
The major area is normally the broad area within
which the dissertation is written and the area in
which graduates would claim to be able to offer
courses at the undergraduate survey level. The
minor area is a more specialized subsection of the
major area. The minor area covers the more
specialized knowledge that students need to
research and to write their dissertation. It is also the
area in which graduates would claim to be able to
offer upper-level courses or research seminars.
The definition of the major and minor areas are
determined by the director, the candidate and the
dissertation supervisor and approved by the
director at least six months before the qualifying
examination. Students are required to prepare
reading lists for both the major and minor areas of
their comprehensive examination and to have them
approved by their dissertation supervisors.
3.Language Requirement
Students who are working in an area where they
only need English must demonstrate to the
members of their supervisory committee that
they are able to read one language other than
English. The minimum standard expected is that
students should have a reading knowledge
of that language; i.e., that they should be able to
read in that language with a dictionary.
Students working in an area where a language or
languages other than English are necessary for
their research must demonstrate to the members of
their supervisory committee that they have the
ability to read primary sources and/or scholarly
literature in the relevant language or languages.
Students in this category will demonstrate their
knowledge of the language or languages either by
completing a language course or by some other
means as recognized by the supervisory
committee.
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Toronto, ON, Canada M3J 1P3
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English. The minimum standard expected is that
students should have a reading knowledge
of that language; i.e., that they should be able to
read in that language with a dictionary.
Students working in an area where a language or
languages other than English are necessary for
their research must demonstrate to the members of
their supervisory committee that they have the
ability to read primary sources and/or scholarly
literature in the relevant language or languages.
Students in this category will demonstrate their
knowledge of the language or languages either by
completing a language course or by some other
means as recognized by the supervisory
committee.
4. Dissertation
Students are required to prepare a dissertation in
which they make an original contribution to
humanities scholarship in the interdisciplinary
study of culture. The completion of the dissertation
must involve the
following four steps:
 the establishment of a supervisory committee of
three members, at least two of whom will be
members of the Graduate Program in Humanities.
The third member may be appointed to a graduate
program other than Humanities;
 the preparation of a dissertation proposal, which
must normally be approved the supervisory
committee within three months of completing the
final comprehensive examination, and approved by
the graduate program director and the Faculty of
Graduate Studies;
 the writing of a dissertation acceptable to the
supervisory committee and in the end formally
approved as examinable by the
members of that committee;
 the holding of an oral examination, centred on
the dissertation and matters related to it, and
presided over by an examining committee
recommended by the program director for approval
and appointment by the Dean of Graduate Studies
(Faculty Regulations: “Dissertation
Examining Committee”).
4. Dissertation
Students are required to prepare a dissertation in
which they make an original contribution to
humanities scholarship in the interdisciplinary
study of culture. The completion of the dissertation
must involve the
following four steps:
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 the establishment of a supervisory committee of
three members, at least two of whom will be
members of the Graduate Program in Humanities.
The third member may be appointed to a graduate
program other than Humanities;
 the preparation of a dissertation proposal, which
must normally be approved the supervisory
committee within three months of completing the
final comprehensive examination, and approved by
the graduate program director and the Faculty of
Graduate Studies;
 the writing of a dissertation acceptable to the
supervisory committee and in the end formally
approved as examinable by the
members of that committee;
 the holding of an oral examination, centred on
the dissertation and matters related to it, and
presided over by an examining committee
recommended by the program director for approval
and appointment by the Dean of Graduate Studies
(Faculty Regulations: “Dissertation
Examining Committee”).
5.Humanities Graduate Seminar
PhD candidates are required to take part in a noncredit seminar (the humanities graduate seminar) in
their first year, including students who have
participated in the seminar as candidates for the
MA.
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Tel: (416) 736-5521
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