Program: Global Gender Studies PhD - University at Buffalo

Apr 09, 2025

WORKING 2025-2026 Graduate Catalog

The Ph.D. in Global Gender and Sexuality Studies is based on graduate coursework, examinations, and original scholarship in the form of a dissertation written under the supervision of the student’s advisor and dissertation committee. Students work in close collaboration with hands-on faculty mentors who represent a diverse array of disciplines in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. One of only 12 doctoral degree-granting departments of women’s/gender studies in the United States, our Ph.D. program offers two concentrations:
•Feminist Studies concentrates on developing perspectives in literary studies, feminist, queer, and trans theory, and cultural studies.
•Global Gender and Sexuality Studies concentrates on developing transnational perspectives on the construction of gender, gender relations, and the social and institutional structures of gender in society.

Degree Requirements

Coursework

A total of 72 credits are required for the PhD degree in Global Gender Studies, out of which at least 36 credits must be taken in the Department of Global Gender and Sexuality Studies. Students usually take between five and seven years to complete the doctoral program.

Core Requirements

All doctoral students are required to complete the following:

One 3-credit theory course such as GGS 518SEM - Readgs in Feminist Theory
One 3-credit quantitative methods (Quantitative Research Methods) or one 3-credit qualitative methods (Ethnographic Methods)
An additional six seminars in Global Gender Studies
Comprehensive exams, a dissertation prospectus, and an oral defense of the written dissertation

Major Concentration

The PhD program requires a student to design, in consultation with his/her academic advisor(s), a coherent interdisciplinary program. Students can take courses from a wide range of other UB departments and schools.

For additional guidelines and specific information regarding academic planning, doctoral students should consult the GGSs Graduate Student Handbook and their academic advisors.

Comprehensive Examinations

The goal of this exam is that the student demonstrates a comprehensive, broad knowledge of the field(s) on which their dissertation will focus. As this degree program is interdisciplinary in nature, the student should also demonstrate the ability to make interconnections with other fields of study. All doctoral students must successfully complete a comprehensive examination involving both written and oral components.

For more information regarding comprehensive examinations, doctoral students should consult the Graduate Handbook and their academic advisors.

Dissertation Committees

The Dissertation Committee is composed of at minimum three members of the UB graduate faculty. Students may add additional non-UB faculty members. Students work closely with their Dissertation Committee in the fulfillment of all major degree requirements.

For specific information regarding academic planning, dissertation preparation, and defense, doctoral students should consult the Graduate Handbook and their academic advisors.

Total Credit Hours: 72

3.0 Degree GPA required

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

1) Use gender as an analytical category to critique cultural and social institutions within a global perspective.

2) Critically analyze the social construction of gender, especially how gender intersects with race, ethnicity, locality, class, and sexuality.

3) Evaluate gendered societal practices, including the conceptualization of difference, the production and recreation of femininity and masculinity, the division of labor, and the creation and maintenance of social institutions. 4) Explain the varieties of feminist theories, including an analysis of the debates that have shaped the development of feminist scholarship.

5) Develop effective written communication skills to be able to effectively, clearly and coherently communicate intellectual thought.

6) Read documents closely and critically in order to explain and evaluate the central arguments of academic scholarship.

7) Apply feminist methods, including critical selfreflection and ethical practices, to plan and conduct original research.

8) Imagine a world that reflects feminist principles of liberation, social justice, respect and care

SED Statement

This program is officially registered with the New York State Education Department (SED).