Bulletin Archive
This archived information is dated to the 2011-12 academic year only and may no longer be current.
For currently applicable policies and information, see the current Stanford Bulletin.
Doctor of Philosophy in Religious Studies
University requirements for the Ph.D. are described in the "Graduate Degrees" section of this bulletin. The Ph.D. in Religious Studies signifies special knowledge of an interdisciplinary field of study and potential mastery of an area of specialization within it. The faculty of the department have established certain fields of study in which the department's strengths and those of other Stanford departments cohere. They are: Buddhist studies, Islamic studies, Jewish studies, and modern religious thought, ethics, and philosophy. Students who wish to specialize in other fields must obtain early approval by the faculty. Each of these areas of specialization follows a shared structure of study.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
The following requirements are in addition to the University's basic requirements.
- ResidenceEach student completes three years (nine quarters) of full-time study, or the equivalent, in graduate work beyond the B.A. degree, and a minimum of 135 units of graduate course work (excluding the dissertation).
- Required CoursesThe 135 units of graduate course work must include the following:
RELIGST 304A. Theories and Methods
RELIGST 304B. Theories and Methods
RELIGST 391. Pedagogy
RELIGST 399. Recent Works in Religious Studies
The remainder of the course work is individually designed, in consultation with the advisor.
- LanguagesEach student demonstrates a reading knowledge of two foreign languages, including French or German. One of those language requirements should be fulfilled by the time of advancing to candidacy at the end of the second year. Competence in the second language must be demonstrated at the time of the qualifying examination. Each student also demonstrates reading knowledge of other ancient or modern languages necessary for the field of study, area of specialization, and dissertation topic.
- CandidacyAt the end of each academic year, the department's faculty recommend second-year students for candidacy on the basis of all relevant information, and especially on the student's candidacy dossier that includes the approved declaration of an area of specialization, certification for one foreign language, and two substantial papers written for courses during the previous two years. Students are required to take RELIGST 391 and RELIGST 399 prior to candidacy.
- Paper-in-FieldDuring the third year, under the supervision of their advisors, students prepare a paper suitable for submission to an academic journal in their field. The paper is read and approved by at least two faculty members in the department. Students are encouraged to register for RELIGST 392 while working on the paper.
- Teaching InternshipAt least one teaching internship under the supervision of faculty members is undertaken at a time negotiated with the Graduate Director. Students receive academic credit for the required internship, which is a part of academic training and not of employment.
- Qualifying ExaminationTo qualify for writing a dissertation, the student must pass a comprehensive examination in the chosen field and the area of specialization, typically during the first quarter of their fourth year. The student must complete the second language requirement before taking the qualifying examination. The qualifying examination is normally conducted by a committee of at least three Academic Council members of the department, one of whom is the advisor. One faculty member may be from outside the department with permission of the Director of Graduate Studies.
- DissertationThe dissertation contributes to the humanistic study of religion and is written under the direction of the candidate's dissertation advisor and at least two other members of the Academic Council. The University Oral examination is a defense of a completed draft of the dissertation.
- Dissertation CommitteeThe dissertation committee is formed after successful completion of the qualifying examinations. It is normally composed of the dissertation advisor and at least two Academic Council members of the Religious Studies department. One non-departmental faculty member may serve as a reader when approved by the Director of Graduate Studies.
- Dissertation ProposalCandidates submit their dissertation proposal in consultation with their advisors. It is read and approved by the three members of the dissertation committee.
- University Oral ExaminationThis examination, required by the University of Ph.D. students, is a defense of a completed draft of the dissertation. The composition of the examination committee is set by University regulation: five or more faculty, normally all of whom are members of the Academic Council, one of whom must be outside the department to serve as chair of the committee. Normally, the examining committee includes all qualified members of the dissertation committee.
PH.D. IN RELIGIOUS STUDIES AND HUMANITIES
The department participated in the Graduate Program in Humanities leading to a Ph.D. degree in Religious Studies and Humanities. At this time, the option is available only to students already enrolled in the Graduate Program in Humanities; no new students are being accepted. The University remains committed to a broad-based graduate education in the humanities; the courses, colloquium, and symposium continue to be offered, and the Division of Literatures, Cultures, and Languages provides advising for students already enrolled who may contact DLCL Student Affairs at 650-724-1333 or dlcl@stanford.edu for further information. Courses are listed under the subject code HUMNTIES and may be viewed on the Stanford Bulletin's ExploreCourses web site.