In addition to an adequate knowledge of the major field of intended research, PhD student at Georgia Tech must demonstrate mastery of another smaller body of knowledge—the minor field—preferably outside the student’s school. The purpose of the minor is to encourage a wider interest on the part of the student and to provide a broader basis for the evaluation of the student’s capabilities. The PhD minor with a specialization in Iranian Studies, is designed for Georgia Tech graduate students who have an interdisciplinary interest in the media, culture, politics, societies, and languages of Iran.
This minor offered by the Schools of History and Sociology and Modern Languages, connects studies on Iran and Iranians—their languages, cultures, and peoples, both concurrently in their national and international relationships as well as longitudinally over the course of history. This minor is designed for PhD students who will enter a wide range of careers that can lead directly or indirectly to interactions with the people, the social organizations and businesses of Iran and the Middle East, both abroad and here in the U.S., especially in terms of the critical technological, social, and policy decisions facing the world today.
Recognizing Iran as a pivotal country in the critical region of the Middle East, the Iranian Studies PhD minor focusing on the study of modern Iran, prepares students for careers in policy, business, research, teaching, and more. Students can explore the rich and complex history of Iran and its diaspora by taking courses from disciplines such as modern languages, sociology, history, political science, international relations, cinema, religious studies, comparative literature, media and communication.
Students wishing to pursue this PhD minor should declare the minor by filling out the minor change form with the Student Advisor in Modern Languages.
The PhD minor will normally consist of at least nine semester hours of work in related courses, selected by the student in consultation with a guidance committee and approved by the Graduate Studies (on behalf of the Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Faculty Development). These courses should be at the 6000 level or above, but the use of certain 4000 level courses may also be approved. The student must receive a letter grade within the minor comprising an overall GPA of a 3.0 (B) or higher. (Courses that are taken as pass/fail are not eligible to count toward the doctoral minor). Courses taken at other institutions may be included in the minor. Once the student has satisfactorily completed the minor, the school chair will send a confirmation, accompanied by course grades, to Graduate Studies for final approval and recording.
Although the student need not complete the minor as a prerequisite to become a candidate, the minor must be completed and approved in order to be cleared for graduation.
