Graduate academic calendar 2012 - 2013 - Trent University

GRADUATE PROGRAMS Cultural Studies
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CUST 6125 – Comprehensive examination
The comprehensive examination, held in April or May of Year One, tests the student’s familiarity
with the Cultural Studies canon. Satisfactory completion of the Comprehensive Examination
requires a grade of PASS. A student who does not pass (PASS) the comprehensive examination
on the first attempt will be awarded a grade of INC (“incomplete”) and will be offered a second
chance to take the examination, normally not later than August 31, the end of Year One.
CUST 6200 – Year two dissertation seminar
CUST 6200 aims to ensure that the dissertation arises from a continuous practice not only of
research and writing but also of collegial inquiry, discussion, and presentation. The main focus of
the seminar is the presentation and discussion of the students’ work in progress, including any
difficulties in making progress, and students are required on several occasions during the academic
year to workshop different parts, stages, or turning points of their dissertation project.
CUST 6225 – Special field bibliography
A reasoned bibliography, accompanied by a brief text of description and justification, of the student’s
special field(s) of competency within the larger domain of cultural studies, which evolves under the
supervision of the Supervisory Committee. A first draft should be attempted by the student by August
31 of Year One and presented in CUST 6200; the bibliography and accompanying text should be
submitted not later than August 31 of Year Two.
CUST 6250 – First project
By August 31 at the end of Year Two, the student’s first project must be completed at a level
considered by the Supervisory Committee to be of publishable quality. The student will receive a
satisfactory grade (PASS) when the student’s Supervisory Committee confirms that the project is
completed. Receiving a satisfactory grade (PASS) on this component does not prejudge the outcome
of the oral defence in Year Four.
CUST 6275 – Dissertation proposal
A Dissertation Proposal, normally up to 2,000 words, is due by August 31 of Year Two for the
approval (PASS) of the Supervisory Committee. The proposal is expected to provide convincing links
between the completed first project, the second project about to be undertaken, and the third
project hypothetically contemplated and conceptualized.
CUST 6325 – Special field examination
A student will take a written and oral examination of the Special Field, based on the approved
Special Field Bibliography, in the Spring of Year Three. A student who does not pass (PASS) the
Special Field Examination on the first attempt will be awarded a grade of INC (“incomplete”) and
will be offered a second chance to take the Examination, normally not later than August 31 of Year
Three.
CUST 6350 – Second project
By August 31 of Year Three, the student’s second project must be completed at a level considered
by the Supervisory Committee to be of publishable quality. The student will receive a satisfactory
grade (PASS) when the student’s Supervisory Committee confirms that the project is completed.
Receiving a satisfactory grade (PASS) on this component does not prejudge the outcome of the oral
defence in Year Four.
CUST 6450 – Third project
By January 1 of Year Four, the student’s third project must be completed at a level considered by
the Supervisory Committee to be of publishable quality. The student will receive a satisfactory grade
(PASS) when the student’s Supervisory Committee confirms that the project is completed. Receiving
a satisfactory grade (PASS) on this component does not prejudge the outcome of the oral defence
in Year Four.
CUST 6475 – Dissertation as a whole
In Year Four, students are expected to bind their three projects together into a dissertation as a
coherent whole. The Director will appoint a Supervisory Committee for the final dissertation and
oral defence. The student will receive a satisfactory grade (PASS) for CUST 6475 when all members
of the student’s Supervisory Committee sign the evaluation form stating that the dissertation is
completed and of sufficient quality to proceed to formal examination.