Doctoral studies
Information about current doctoral courses is collected here. To see the general and specific entry requirements for applying for a doctoral position, please refer to the general syllabus.
Governing documents for doctoral education
Doctoral education at Södertörn University is governed by the Swedish Higher Education Act and Ordinance, as well as by internal steering documents. These documents can be found under Governing documents for doctoral education and the Employee web External link, opens in new window.
General syllabuses for doctoral students
Each subject that has degree-awarding powers at doctoral level has a general syllabus that must be followed during the programme. The courses and number of credits included in a doctoral (third-cycle) degree must comply with general syllabus for the subject to which the doctoral student was admitted. The general syllabus also states the entry requirements when applying for a doctoral studentship.
- General syllabus for third-cycle programmes in the Theory of Practical Knowledge admitted after 01/01/2025
- General syllabus for third-cycle programmes in Aesthetics admitted after 01/01/2025
- General syllabus for third-cycle programmes in Philosophy admitted after 01/01/2025
- General syllabus for third-cycle programmes in Gender Studies admitted after 01/01/2025
- General syllabus for third-cycle programmes in Art History admitted after 01/01/2025
- General syllabus for third-cycle programmes in Comparative Literature admitted after 01/01/2025
- General syllabus for third-cycle programmes in Media and Communication Studies admitted after 01/01/2025
- General syllabus for third-cycle programmes in Theory of Practical Knowledge admitted after 01/01/2023
- General syllabus for third-cycle programmes in Aesthetics admitted after 01/01/2023
- General syllabus for third-cycle programmes in Philosophy admitted after 01/01/2023
- General syllabus for third-cycle programmes in Gender Studies admitted after 01/01/2023
- General syllabus for third-cycle programmes in Art History admitted after 01/01/2023
- General syllabus for third-cycle programmes in Comparative Literature admitted after 01/01/2023
- General syllabus for third-cycle programmes in Theory of Practical Knowledge admitted prior to 01/01/2023
- General syllabus for third-cycle programmes in Aesthetics admitted prior to 01/01/2023
- General syllabus for third-cycle programmes in Philosophy admitted prior to 01/01/2023
- General syllabus for third-cycle programmes in Gender Studies admitted prior to 01/01/2023
- General syllabus for third-cycle programmes in Art History admitted prior to 01/01/2023
- General syllabus for third-cycle programmes in Comparative Literature admitted prior to 01/01/2023
- General syllabus for third-cycle programmes in Media and Communication Studies admitted prior to 01/01/2023
Critical and Cultural Theory currently offers the following doctoral courses:
The Department of Gender Studies at Södertörn University announces doctoral course
Situated knowledges: epistemology, methodology and ethics, 7.5 credits
The course is held in English.
Course Overview
The course invites students to engage with feminist epistemology, rethinking how knowledge is produced, situated and contested in Gender Studies, with the aim of critically deconstructing research processes related to their projects. How can researchers develop their research while maintaining its relevance in relation to their surroundings, both societally and politically? The key to beginning to answer this question is to look at the researcher as an epistemic subject and knowledge as situated and partial. Using different historical and geopolitical perspectives, the course’s lectures and discussions offer an opportunity to think together about epistemologies, feminist methodologies, researcher positionalities, different ways of writing, and ethical dilemmas, while considering the limitations and critiques entailed by each.
The course starts on 26 February 2026 and consists of six seminars on Södertörn University’s campus, Flemingsberg, Stockholm, Sweden.
Entry requirements: The course is open to doctoral students. Priority will be given to those enrolled on Gender Studies programmes. Basic familiarity with feminist theory is expected.
Register via kktadmin@sh.se. For further information, please contact Ulla Manns at ulla.manns@sh.se
More information can be found in the course syllabus. External link, opens in new window.
Truth, Construction and Subjectivity: Contemporary Issues in the Theory of Scientific Knowledge, 7.5 credits
The course is held in English. More information can be found in the course syllabus. External link, opens in new window.
Applications should be sent to kktadmin@sh.se.
The course is held in spring semester.
PhD Course: Classics of Media Research (7.5 ECTS) – TRAIN Network
Course Overview
This doctoral course introduces participants to the foundational paradigms of media and communication research developed throughout the 20th century. It provides a deep understanding of the historical and societal contexts in which these theories emerged and explores their relevance to contemporary media landscapes and communication practices.
Learning Outcomes
Participants will:
- Gain orientation within central traditions of media and communication research.
- Understand the scientific and societal contexts of key theories.
- Develop skills to critically analyze and discuss advanced texts in speech and writing.
- Evaluate the possibilities and limitations of these traditions in relation to current research agendas.
The course consists of lectures, seminars, and group discussions. Themes include: - Foundational perspectives: Mass communication theory, uses and gratifications, medium theory, critical theory/Frankfurt School.
- Contemporary perspectives: Feminist/intersectional media studies, cultural and audience studies, discourse and social change, mediated communication as social interaction.
- Overarching theories: Public sphere theory, structuralism/poststructuralism.
Eligibility
Open to PhD candidates in media and communication studies affiliated with universities within the TRAIN network.
Registration
The course is full for the spring semester of 2026. The next time it will be offered will be in the spring semester of 2028.
Contact
Jonas Andersson (jonas.andersson@sh.se)
Mats Eriksson (mats.eriksson@oru.se)