PhD in Humanities, Cultural and Educational Sciences
Do you wish to pursue a theme-based and interdisciplinary doctoral education? We educate candidates who are at the forefront of knowledge nationally and internationally within their respective fields.
About the programme
The PhD programme at the Faculty of Humanities, Sports and Educational Science is theme-based and interdisciplinary. The doctorate has its roots in scientific areas such as social sciences, humanities, and educational sciences, drawing theoretical perspectives, concepts, and methods from disciplines like sociology, pedagogy, language studies, history, literature, sports, aesthetic subjects, political science, psychology, anthropology, etc. Methods and concepts from these disciplines are used to analyze educational processes and cultural phenomena.
The doctorate has three main fields of study: language, literature, and history; cultural studies, art, and sports; educational research, learning practices, and pedagogy, all of which provide a solid foundation for interdisciplinary approaches to knowledge development for the future. The programme's overarching goal is to educate candidates who are at the forefront of knowledge nationally and internationally within their fields and who master the theory and methods of the field.
The doctorate is anchored in USN's strategic areas of focus: relevance to the working life, sustainability, and entrepreneurship. The programme aims to contribute to knowledge and competence development in interaction and cooperation with society and the working life. The PhD programme also aims to contribute to the development of knowledge for sustainable societal development locally, nationally, and globally.
Structure of the PhD programme
The PhD programme has a structure that allows doctoral candidates to assemble a varied course of study consisting of two compulsory core courses as well as various methodological and elective courses across disciplines.
The programme has two compulsory core courses: the research seminar and the theory of science and research ethics.
Research seminar – for close professional and social follow-up
Ongoing research seminars for a close academic and social follow-up are crucial. Therefore, the programme includes a compulsory core course designed to follow up on the development of the candidates' research projects from admission to the mid-term evaluation.
The seminar's purpose is twofold; it aims to facilitate close follow-up of the candidates in the first half of their research work, and to establish an academic environment for the candidates that complements the relationship to the supervisor and own research group.
The seminar topics include project development, research overviews, academic writing, the dissertation cover, internationalization and dissemination, and the doctoral candidate role at USN. The research seminar is also a venue for ensuring a close dialogue for academic and social follow-up of PhD candidates in the programme.
Theory of science and research ethics
The course on the theory of science and research ethics is interdisciplinary and compulsory for all doctoral candidates at USN. This course aims to give candidates the theoretical foundations for knowledge acquisition in scientific research, and to provide insight into the various epistemological positions that characterize the debate within humanities and social science research. Furthermore, candidates will develop a high ethical awareness and the ability to critically reflect on the choice of method and theory.
Elective Courses
Elective methodological courses provide introductions to current methods in the candidate's field of research; other elective courses delve into current theory and research in the candidates' field of study, and more general courses in relevant theoretical perspectives.
Course of study from Autumn 2024
|
Semester 1 |
Semester 2 |
Semester 3 |
Semester 4 |
|
Research seminar |
Research seminar |
Research seminar |
Research seminar |
|
Theory of Science and Ethics |
Theory of Science and Ethics |
Theory of Science and Ethics |
Theory of Science and Ethics |
|
Methodological Courses |
Methodological Courses |
Methodological Courses |
|
|
Elective Courses |
Elective Courses |
Study plan
Courses
Elective courses will primarily be set up based on the needs and wishes among the program's doctoral candidates. The courses are open to USN staff as well as external participants. Doctoral candidates in the program may also include elective courses from other programs at other universities in Norway and internationally.
Compulsory Core Courses
- Research Seminar
- Ethics and Theory of Science
Methodological Courses
- Qualitative Methods
- Quantitative Methods
Possible Elective courses from Autumn 2025
- Discourse Analysis
- Interaction and Conversation Analysis in Everyday and Institutional Contexts
- Critical Theories and Narratives
- History Theory and Method
- Multimodal Communication in a Digital and Global Text Culture
- Aesthetics of Vulnerability, Cultural Policy, and Ethics
- Culture Theory
- Body-based Practices
- Sport, Culture, and Society
- Cultural Heritage and Cultural Policy
- Theoretical Perspectives on Learning, Language, and Learning Resources in Formal and Informal Contexts
- Youths' Digital Learning Lives in School and in Self-organized Arenas
- Assessment and Learning
- Studies of Educational Policy and Educational Practice
- Kindergarten Educational Concepts, Contexts, and Complexities
PhD Committee
- Chair: Heike Speitz
- Members for the employees: Pål Augestad, Kjetil Klette Bøhler, Mats Sigvard Johansson, Magnus Hontvedt, Annika Bøstein Myhr and Merethe Roos
- Deputies for the employees: Lars Frers, Suela Kacerja and Sigrun Svenkerud
- Fellows/PhD candidates: Anders Belling and Rikke Sundberg
- Deputies for fellows/PhD candidates: Lis Montes Oca
- External representative: Sølvi Mausethagen (OsloMet)
Meeting dates for the PhD committee 2024/25:
August 12 - 13, 2024
September 24, 2024
October 25, 2024
December 2, 2024
January 9 - 10, 2025
February 11, 2025
March 21, 2025
April 28, 2025
June 5, 2025
Matters for consideration by the PhD committee must be submitted to phdhku@usn.no no later than 10 days prior to the date of the meeting. Note: For the Jan 9-10 meeting, matters must be submitted no later than Dec 18.
