Foundations
The expected time of completion of the degree is four years for full-time students. The IDSR PhD degree is granted once the Program confirms that all Program requirements have been met and once the dissertation is formally approved by the University.
The course requirements for the PhD degree in IDSR are the following:
- three 0.5 credit mandatory core courses: IDSR 6010H*, IDSR 6020H*, IDSR 6060H**;
- two 0.5 credit elective courses at the 5000 or 6000 level (to advance theoretical and conceptual understandings developed in IDSR 6010H and research methods knowledge and competencies developed in IDSR 6020H).
*full-time students to register for IDSR 6010 and 6020 in their first year of study; part-time students to register in IDSR 6020 in their first year, and IDSR 6010 in their second year of study.
**offered in the second program year for full-time students; part-time students will register in IDSR 6060H after 6010 and 6020 are successfully completed.
Year 1 Required Courses
IDSR 6010H: Theoretical foundations of social inquiry
An exploration of concepts as vehicles for communicating social theory. Students and faculty will undertake in-depth dialogical inquiry that spans both the process and content of conceptual social inquiry. Building from this foundation, students will take a lead in designing conceptual inquiries into contemporary transdisciplinary social problems.
IDSR 6020H: Interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research methods
Prepares students to do and evaluate social science research using a variety of research methods. Key concepts include: formulation of research questions, research design, ethics, and data collection and analysis.
Year 2 Required Course:
IDSR 6060H: Interdisciplinary Scholarship and Knowledge Mobilization
Scholarly and professional development of competencies in research assessment, research synthesis, research communication (oral and written), and knowledge mobilization/translation for a range of stakeholders. Prerequisites: IDSR 6010H; IDSR 6020H; and two approved electives at the 5000 or 6000 level.
Year 3 Required Course:
IDSR 6100H: PhD Qualifying Exam
A presentation of a dossier of three scholarly artifacts (Interdisciplinary Scholarship, Research Into Action, and a Dissertation Proposal). The Examining Committee for the qualifying examination includes three or more members of the Supervisory Committee, and the Program Director (or Designate) as Chair. The exam is scheduled through the IDSR Program Office and is included on the student's record after the successful defence.
Elective Course Options
Elective courses are normally taken at the 6000 (PhD) level and must be approved by the student’s Supervisor and the IDSR Program Director. Masters (5000) level courses, usually drawn from the Trent Graduate Calendar, may qualify for the elective requirements with approval from the Program Director.
IDSR 6030H: Special Topics in Critical Social Justice
Courses may be offered in a variety of areas as a way of introducing students to new subject matter, research techniques or methodologies.
Prerequisite: IDSR 6010H or an equivalent graduate level theoretical foundations course.
IDSR 6040H: Advanced Studies in Community-Engaged Research
An in-depth exploration of the history and current state of community-based, community-engaged, collaborative, participatory, activist and action-oriented research theories and practices.
Prerequisite: IDSR 6020H or an equivalent graduate level social research methods course.
IDSR 6050H: Independent Reading and Research Course
Students are able to pursue topics of particular interest which are not presented in existing courses. It allows concentrated and integrated study on a topic or inquiry that is specifically relevant to a student’s approved program. It also enables the student and instructor the opportunity to explore shared interests. The format of the course is designed by the student in consultation with the supervisor or supervisory committee. Written justification for the course must be made to the Program Director and must be arranged before registration for the course. The Reading Course is normally in the form of a literature review or a small research project.
IDSR 6550H-SUST 5550H: Environmental Policy Analysis
This course explores environmental policy analysis and development in the Canadian context. We cover methods of analyzing environmental policy responses across a range of issues, including stakeholder engagement, policy tool selection and development, evaluation, and communication of policy aims to diverse audiences.