Program Overview

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French Studies and Anthropology (PhD)

The joint PhD program in French Studies and Anthropology is designed for students interested in combining a multidisciplinary approach to the study of France and the Francophone world with broad graduate training in Anthropology. Students pursuing the degree may wish to prepare for careers of research and teaching in an anthropology department and/or a French Studies department, with a specialty in French culture and civilization.

Program Description

The program requires proficiency in French, as well as any other languages deemed essential by the advisor in the plan of study for successful completion of the proposed project.

Admissions

All applicants to the Graduate School of Arts and Science (GSAS) are required to submit the general application requirements, which include:

• Academic Transcripts
• Test Scores (if required)
• Applicant Statements
• Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
• Letters of Recommendation, and
• A non-refundable application fee.

Program Requirements

The program requires a total of 72 credits, including:

• Major Requirements:
  • IFST-GA 1610: 19th Century France (4 credits)
  • IFST-GA 3720: Research Seminar: French Studies (taken twice, 8 credits)
  • ANTH-GA 1010: Theory and Practice of Social Anthropology I (4 credits)
  • ANTH-GA 1011: Theory and Practice of Social Anthropology II (4 credits)
  • ANTH-GA 1040: Linguistic Anthropology (4 credits)
  • ANTH-GA 1636: History of Anthropology (4 credits)
  • ANTH-GA 3211: Sociocultural Professionalization (4 credits)
• Electives: 40 credits in Anthropology and French Studies

Additional Program Requirements

Advisory Committees

After initial consultations with admitted students, the DGS and the Department Chair assign each student a three-person Faculty Advisory Committee.

Language Requirement

The joint PhD requires proficiency in French, as well as any other languages deemed essential by the advisor in the plan of study for successful completion of the proposed project.

Plan of Study

In the spring semester of the second year, students draft a plan of study, which sketches the research areas in which they expect to work as well as a road map for work ahead.

Qualifying Exam

Students must complete three qualifying exams, which will consist of take-home essay exams covering two areas of specializationgenerally one defined geographically and one thematically.

Proposal Hearing

Before engaging in research and applying for funding for the PhD dissertation, the student defends the research proposal.

Dissertation

The dissertation must be defended before a minimum five-member committee of examiners.

Departmental Approval

All Graduate School of Arts & Science doctoral candidates must be approved for graduation by their department for the degree to be awarded.

Sample Plan of Study

A sample plan of study is provided, outlining the coursework and credits required for each semester.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will:

1. Be provided with rigorous training in general social and cultural theory, both in contemporary writings and in the classics of anthropology and sociology.
2. Complement disciplinary knowledge in sociocultural anthropology with mastery of methodologies and conceptual frameworks from history and other disciplines in the social sciences.
3. Have the ability to locate printed and manuscript sources in libraries, archives, and databases; to read them critically; to marshal them into clear and convincing arguments that make an original contribution to the field.
4. Have teaching skills in Anthropology and French Studies or adjacent fields and familiarity with the workings of the academic world.
5. Be in a position to obtain a tenure-track position, a post-doctoral fellowship, or another job (within or outside academia) after completing their dissertation.

Policies

NYU Policies

University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.

Graduate School of Arts and Science Policies

Academic Policies for the Graduate School of Arts and Science can be found on the Academic Policies page.