Graduate Certificate Program in Critical Theory

The Graduate Certificate in Critical Theory offers students a background in the philosophical foundations of critical theory. Drawing on disciplines such as philosophy, psychoanalysis, Marxism, literary criticism and sociology, critical theory develops analytical tools for describing and evaluating modern society and cultural production. Students who are currently enrolled in a graduate disciplinary degree or a professional degree program are encouraged to apply for the Graduate Certificate in Critical Theory early in their graduate career.

Certificate Requirements:

A total of twelve credit hours are required for completion of the certificate.

Six semester hours of required course work, composed of these two core graduate courses:

• GRMN 5030: Foundations of Critical Theory
• GRMN 5240: Critical Theory of the Frankfurt School

This sequence of courses is designed to provide the intellectual history and philosophical foundations for contemporary research directions in critical theory. Neither of these courses may be taken as an independent study.

Two additional elective courses taught by affiliated faculty of the program and approved by the student’s advisor in the program. The current list of affiliated faculty includes:

Some of the elective courses recognized by the program include:

Note: Students must obtain a grade of B or above in each course taken toward the certificate.

Procedures:

To be accepted in the certificate program a student must:

1. Fill out the Graduate Certificate Application.

2. Write a statement of approximately 500 words indicating interests, plans and objectives within the tradition of critical theory, what work the student has already done in the area of critical theory, and if applicable, any undergraduate work the student has done in this area.

3. Submit the application along with the statement and a copy of a current transcript to the Graduate Program Assistant, Karen Hawley, McKenna 129, gsll@colorado.edu. The executive committee meets to review proposals in October, February and May.

4. The accepted students must locate an advisor from the on-line list of the program’s affiliated faculty (see link below). In selecting an advisor students should consider the faculty’s area of expertise and how well this matches the student’s interests. It is advisable to select a graduate advisor early. Also, the program executive committee can help applicants locate an advisor.

5. The faculty advisor is responsible for approving and seeing that the student completes their course work. Students should meet with their faculty advisor at least once during the academic year. A student will receive the Graduate Certificate in Critical Theory when the faculty advisor has signed the Certificate Completion Worksheet and the executive committee has reviewed the form. Certificates are awarded typically during the spring graduation ceremony.

Independent study courses taken with faculty not affiliated with the certificate program will not count for the graduate certificate. Independent study courses taken with faculty members who are formally affiliated with the program may count only in exceptional circumstances.

Upon completion of the program requirements, the student will submit the Certificate Completion Worksheet to the Graduate Program Assistant, McKenna 129, gsll@colorado.edu. The director will then forward the email to the executive committee, who will determine whether the student has met the program requirements. Once the student has successfully completed the certificate requirements, the director will request the certificate be added to the student’s transcript.

Graduate Certificate Forms & Links:

• Certificate Elective Courses List
• Affiliated Faculty List
• Certificate Application
• Certificate Completion Worksheet

For more information contact the certificate director, Henry Pickford, Henry.Pickford@colorado.edu, (303) 492-2605 or the Graduate Program Assistant, Karen Hawley, (303) 492-7404.