PhD in Performance Studies - Writing, Rhetoric, and Composition 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. Four mandatory core courses must be completed from nine available options, including PFS 200 and three selections from PFS 265 A-D. Additional PFS 265 courses beyond the core offerings also fulfill requirements. The curriculum requires four core performance studies courses, one colloquium, and allows customization through seminars, practice-based research, or independent/group work across four thematic areas: Comparative Medias, Embodiments, Cultures/Ecologies, and History/Text. Cross-disciplinary courses are available through HArCS faculty, with Designated Emphases including Performance & Practice, African American & African Studies, Critical Theory, Feminist Theory & Research, Native American Studies, Religious Studies, Science & Technology Studies, and Writing, Rhetoric & Composition Studies. Students must complete at least 60 units before qualifying exams, with a maximum of 12 non-graduate units allowed (with advisor approval).

The Writing, Rhetoric, and Composition Studies (WRaCS) Designated Emphasis prepares doctoral candidates for leadership positions in writing research, pedagogy, and program management. This specialization combines theoretical frameworks with practical training in writing instruction, administrative practices, and research methodologies. The program equips graduate students with tools for developing context-specific teaching approaches and evaluation systems, particularly valuable for those investigating writing development across educational levels.