Program Description

American Studies, the only English program in Georgia, is a multidisciplinary academic doctoral program designed to explore the U.S. from different angles through concentration on courses: XX Century American Literature, XX Century American Political History, and American Ethnicity. In Georgia, this is the only American Studies program where courses are conducted in English and a dissertation is written and defended in English.

The civil rights movement of the ’60s in the U.S., the Vietnam War, Women’s Rights movement caused cultural tension among Americans and caused changes in the American Studies field, which violated the disciplinary borders and gave way to multidisciplinary and simultaneously interdisciplinary programs. Therefore, the American Studies program at IBSU is multidisciplinary and simultaneously interdisciplinary.

Program Advantages

The doctoral program’s curriculum should engage students in a deeper and more thorough examination of fundamental concepts, discussed at B.A. & M.A. levels, describing different aspects of American life, and better understand the development of superpower. The program is designed for students who intend to process theoretical material concerning the past and present of American Culture and conduct serious research in the professional sphere. The multidisciplinary courses will serve as opportunity for dissertation topic selection.

The uniqueness of the program implies multidisciplinary – giving chance to doctorates choose the dissertation topic from the American Studies diverse fields: American History, Culture, Media, Geography, Politics, Education, Ethnicity, Multicultural Studies, Po Culture, Women’s Studies, etc. Therefore, the doctoral dissertations written in English are singled out with diversity of topics and high standards, due to the obligatory requirement of the program to appoint either the American co-supervisor, or the opponent for the doctorate.

The program has already educated twelve doctors in American Studies, who are delivering courses in BA, MA, PhD programs in the capacity of professors. The program has been highly evaluated by the outstanding American professors – founders of the American Studies programs: Bernard Mergen, Robert Gross, Bruce Arnold, Joachim Faust.

Admission to the Program

By the rules established by the legislation of Georgia, the program candidate must have a master’s degree or an equivalent academic degree

Candidate must have English language level C1, which is certified by one of the international certificates or a master’s degree in English; in the absence of such a certificate, an internal university exam will be arranged

PhD candidates must submit a research proposal that meets the requirements of the program outlined by the program supervisor and the commission of at least 3 members of the dissertation field board

Interview

A prior paper/publication in the relevant field, participation in scientific research projects and events, and/or at least 2 years of work experience in the relevant field

Admission of International Students: www.iro.ibsu.edu.ge

Tuition Fee

For Georgian citizens: 3540 GEL
For international students: 4500 $
Awarded Qualification: Doctor of American Studies
Language of Instruction: English
Program Duration: 3 years 60 ECTS

Contact Information

E-Mail: graduateschool@ibsu.edu.ge
Tel: (+995 32) 2 800 064 (140)
Program Coordinator: Prof. Dr. Tamar Shioshvili
Room:A302

Program