Academic Program
Ph.D. in Alliance for Social, Political, Ethical, and Cultural Thought
We bring together theoretical and empirical cross-disciplinary methodologies, concepts, salient issues, and analytical perspectives generated by ethical thought, cultural studies, political economy, social and political theory, intellectual history, critical world order studies, and aesthetics, performance arts and visual studies.
Curriculum
What You'll Study
Course requirements for the Ph.D. can ordinarily be completed during two years of residency and entail successful completion of 42 credit hours, leading to the defense of a Ph.D. dissertation proposal and preliminary exams during the fourth semester. Thereafter, dissertation research will be undertaken under the supervision of a multidisciplinary advisory committee and remaining credits may be earned either by taking additional classroom courses or research and dissertation credits.
Students pursuing the ASPECT Ph.D. select a major and a minor concentration chosen from among four areas: 1) social thought, 2) political thought, 3) ethical thought, and 4) cultural thought. Additional ASPECT courses requirements offer education in interdisciplinary theory, methodology, and professional development.
- The Ph.D. curriculum concentrates on methodological and theoretical issues, as well as domains where social, political, ethical, and cultural thought are put to work in understanding social and individual transformations in contemporary and historical contexts.
- All classes are taught in small seminars and offer personal interaction with faculty and peers.
You will complete 12 credit hours of core studies in interdisciplinary courses offered by alliance for social, political, ethical, and cultural thought including interdisciplinary frameworks and approaches in social, political, and ethical thought, interdisciplinary perspectives in methodology, and interdisciplinary frameworks in professional development.
You will also study 6 credit hours of theory. Informed reflection on methodological issues spanning the social and human sciences and the arts is central to ASPECT Ph.D. research.
ASPECT degree students will have the choice to select among the below concentration options and will complete 12 credit hours in major field and 9 credit hours in minor field of concentrations. Each category includes courses appropriate to a particular concentration. The courses are drawn from a variety of departments and disciplines so that each concentration can reflect the interdisciplinarity that is a hallmark of the ASPECT degree.
Pre-matriculation: Master’s degree required in a relevant field of study.
- Year 1:
Admission into ASPECT doctoral program.
First year of coursework (includes core requirements and electives).
Begin engagement with literatures and theoretical materials pertinent to dissertation project.
Start to develop dissertation project and doctoral dissertation committee. - Year 2:
Completion of coursework.
Prepare for preliminary examination.
Finalize dissertation committee.
Work on dissertation proposal. - Year 3:
Complete preliminary exams and dissertation proposal.
Conduct research for dissertation and write dissertation chapters. - Year 4:
Complete and defend doctoral dissertation.
Application Information
Admission Requirements
- A master's degree with minimum GPA 3.5 (4 Scale)
- Overall GPA 3.3 (4 Scale) in undergraduate education
- GRE Required - the GRE is not required. Applicants may upload scores to their application if they wish.
- TOEFL /IELTS Required (If Applicable)
Application Deadlines
Domestic Application
- *Fall: February 1
International Application
- *Fall: February 1
*ASPECT accepts applications ONLY for Fall terms. We do not accept students in Spring, Summer I or Summer II terms.
Funding Opportunities
Alliance for Social, Political, Ethical, And Cultural Thought has a limited number of graduate assistantships and fellowships available for students applying for full time study on the Blacksburg Campus. Entering students can apply for such funding as part of their admissions application. No separate application required.
Find out what loans are available as a graduate student and other opportunities.
SPECTRA is an online, double blind reviewed, refereed scholarly journal established as part of the ASPECT (Alliance for Social, Political, Ethical, and Cultural Thought) program at Virginia Tech. The journal features work of an interdisciplinary nature and is designed to provide an academic forum to showcase research, explore controversial topics, and take intellectual risks. SPECTRA welcomes submissions for publication by way of articles, book reviews, interviews, and other works that operate within a problem centered, theory driven framework.
Bookshelf
-
Article Item
-
Article Item
Contact Us
If you have questions about pursuing a Ph.D. in ASPECT, please contact:
Program Leaders
Brian Britt, Director (ASPECT)
Professor of Religion and Culture
202A Major Williams Hall
540-231-0694
aspect@vt.edu
Christine Labuski, Associate Director (ASPECT)
Associate Professor of Science, Technology and Society
202A Major Williams Hall
540-231-0694
aspect@vt.edu
Program Specialist
Tamara Sutphin, Program Support Technician
202 Major Williams (0192)
540-231-0698
tsutphin@vt.edu