PhD in Performance Studies - African American and African Studies in Davis United States | University of California Davis

The Performance Studies Ph.D. program spans four to five years. During the initial two years, students gain foundational knowledge by selecting from diverse course options to establish their research focus. The curriculum mandates completing four out of nine core courses, including PFS 200 and three selections from PFS 265 A, B, C, or D. Additional PFS 265 courses beyond the core offerings also fulfill requirements. Students must complete four out of five core performance studies courses plus one colloquium. The program structure combines seminars, practice-based research, and independent or collaborative studies, focusing on one or more of four key areas: Comparative Medias, Embodiments, Cultures/Ecologies, and History/Text. Courses are available across HArCS departments, with Designated Emphases in fields like Performance & Practice, African American & African Studies, Critical Theory, and others. A minimum of 60 units must be completed before the qualifying exam, with no more than 12 undergraduate units allowed without advisor approval.

The African American and African Studies Designated Emphasis enhances students' knowledge of historical and contemporary research in these fields. It creates structured opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration among students and faculty working on related topics across UC Davis.