IX. Graduate Programs
Critical Studies in Improvisation
PhD Program
The PhD program draws on faculty expertise at the University of Guelph, as we all five partner sites across Canada and the USA (UBC, Regina, McGill, Memorial, and University of California, Santa Barbara), and focuses on developing broad-level skills (e.g., collaboration across multiple institutions/organizations and disciplines; internships/community placements; partnership development opportunities; intercultural engagement) with an eye to forming and deploying the skills that lead to both academic and non-academic employment.
The interdisciplinary curriculum will enhance competencies in research, practice, and teaching across the following areas: the critical historicisation of improvised art and practice; research methods and core concepts in Critical Studies in Improvisation; the development of ethical frameworks for collaborative, community-engaged initiatives; and the development and implementation of practice-based research projects. Students are required to successfully complete two qualifying examinations and a research proposal before producing and orally defending a dissertation reflecting original research on a topic that has been approved by the advisory committee.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must have achieved a grade average of at least 75% (B) in the Master’s degree program. Under exceptional circumstances admission directly to a PhD program with an appropriate Honours degree alone may be granted. Applicants must provide two letters of reference and will be required to submit a portfolio with a representative sampling of their best and most relevant creative, professional, and/or research practice, in relationship to the field of CSI and to their proposed area of research. Applicants will submit a 3 page research proposal outlining their critical orientation and proposed research activity for the program of study.
Program Requirements
Students must complete 3.0 credits: IMPR*6010 (1.0 credit), IMPR*6020 (1.0 credit), IMPR*6030 (0.5 credit), IMPR*6410 (0.5 credit), and successfully defend their thesis project.
YEAR 1
Semester 1
| IMPR*6010 | [1.00] | Core Concepts in Critical Studies in Improvisation |
| IMPR*6030 | [0.50] | Foundational Research Methods in Critical Studies in Improvisation |
Semester 2
| IMPR*6010 | [1.00] | Core Concepts in Critical Studies in Improvisation |
| IMPR*6410 | [0.50] | Pedagogy Lab |
Semester 3
Qualifying Exam Preparation: Secondary Area
YEAR 2
Semester 1
| IMPR*6020 | [1.00] | Arts-Based Community Making |
| Qualifying Exam Preparation: Primary Area | ||
Semester 2
| IMPR*6020 | [1.00] | Arts-Based Community Making |
| Qualifying Examination Presentation | ||
Semester 3
| Optional Practicum |
Presentation at Graduate Colloquium
YEAR 3
Semester 1
Optional Elective, Directed Reading or Internship
Research/Writing
Semester 2
Optional Elective, Directed Reading or Internship
Research/Writing
Semester 3
Research/Writing
YEAR 4
Semester 1
Research/Writing
Semester 2
Research/Writing
Semester 3
Research/Writing
Thesis Defence