PhD in Performance Studies - Human Rights 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 offerings to establish their research focus. The curriculum mandates completing four core courses from nine options, including PFS 200 and three selections from PFS 265 A-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 four key areas: Comparative Medias, Embodiments, Cultures/Ecologies, and History/Text. Courses are taught by faculty across HArCS, with specialized emphases available in areas like Performance & Practice, African American Studies, and Science & Technology Studies. A minimum of 60 units must be completed before qualifying exams, with no more than 12 non-graduate units allowed without advisor approval.

Human Rights represents an emerging academic discipline that enables scholars to explore fundamental questions about oppression, societal transformation, cultural preservation, and power dynamics across traditional academic boundaries. This field is generating innovative scholarship, creative works, and critical discourse that bridge academia and real-world issues. The growing institutional recognition of Human Rights is evident through dedicated professorships, research centers, and academic programs worldwide, along with specialized publications and professional associations. This discipline not only advances scholarly understanding but also reinforces universities' societal role by addressing pressing global concerns.