PhD in Comparative Literature - Critical Theory in Davis United States | University of California Davis

Our PhD candidates receive guidance from an extensive network of core and affiliated Comparative Literature faculty members. These professors hold joint appointments with departments including East Asian Languages and Cultures, English, French and Italian, German and Russian, Middle East/South Asian Languages, and Religious Studies. The program maintains active partnerships with interdisciplinary initiatives in critical theory, digital humanities, science and technology studies, film and media, and performance studies. We provide personalized support to help students develop the academic and professional skills essential for career success. Our program nurtures graduate students as both educators and developing researchers, boasting an excellent track record of placements both within and beyond academia.

The Designated Emphasis in Critical Theory at UC Davis offers doctoral students dual advantages: engaging in cross-disciplinary seminars exploring the extensive legacy of critical thought from ancient to contemporary times, while earning a formal certification in critical theory alongside their degrees. Faculty members from diverse humanities and social science programs contribute specialized knowledge spanning various historical eras and theoretical frameworks. These seminars create unique forums where students and professors from different disciplines can exchange viewpoints and critically examine the foundational assumptions underlying social, political, and cultural systems.