PhD in Native American Studies - Writing, Rhetoric, and Composition Studies in Davis United States | University of California Davis

The Graduate Group in Native American Studies takes an interdisciplinary, hemispheric perspective, focusing on the growing diaspora of Indigenous communities across the Americas while centering Indigenous knowledge systems to examine issues affecting Native populations. Areas of academic exploration encompass history, spirituality, philosophy, governance, social structures, linguistic studies, as well as Indigenous community empowerment for self-governance, decolonization, racial justice, and cultural preservation. Both master's and doctoral candidates gain teaching experience through assistantships and instructor roles.

The Writing, Rhetoric, and Composition Studies (WRaCS) Designated Emphasis equips PhD candidates with expertise for leadership positions in writing research, pedagogy, and academic program direction. This specialization combines theoretical foundations with practical training in composition instruction, program management, and scholarly investigation. The curriculum emphasizes creating adaptable teaching methods and evaluation systems tailored to institutional contexts, benefiting graduate researchers examining writing development across secondary and higher education settings.