PhD in History of Consciousness in Santa Cruz United States | University of California, Santa Cruz

The History of Consciousness program maintains close collaborative ties with affiliated faculty from other campus departments. These scholars contribute by teaching seminars, providing guidance, participating in qualifying examinations, and serving on thesis committees. Students are encouraged to pursue interdisciplinary coursework in other graduate programs, subject to seminar capacity and faculty availability. The official list of affiliated faculty represents just a portion of potential advising opportunities beyond the program's primary instructors. Campus research hubs like the Center for Cultural Studies, the Institute for Humanities Research, and the Chicano/Latino Research Center also facilitate collaborative academic endeavors.

Given the program's focus on methodological and theoretical frameworks and interdisciplinary synthesis, applicants should demonstrate a well-defined research direction. While prior advanced study in relevant fields is advantageous, it's not mandatory.

Though the History of Consciousness program doesn't follow rigid specialization tracks, its seminars and research initiatives explore diverse themes and methodologies. With a strong emphasis on social, historical, and cultural theories, key research domains include: intersectional studies of race, sexuality, and gender; global capitalism and cultural dynamics; psychoanalytic and semiotic analyses of visual culture; science and technology studies; religious theories and histories; and social movement studies. Regular seminars address these and other areas of active faculty investigation.