PhD - Doctor of Philosophy in History - Asia

Georgetown's graduate program in Asian history offers students a chance to study with internationally renowned specialists amidst the diverse opportunities and rich research collections of the Washington D.C. area (including the National Archives, Library of Congress and Smithsonian Institution). Faculty interests cover the social, cultural, political, diplomatic and environmental history of early modern through twentieth-century Asia, with particular specialties in the history of medicine; Christianity in Asia; Chinese Inner Asia (Tibet, Xinjiang, Mongolia and Manchuria) and Central Eurasia; Asian environmental history; Japanese urban and cultural history; colonial Asia; and Asia in world history. Students may also work with history faculty outside the Asian subfield on subjects that cross geographic or thematic boundaries, such as environmental or imperial history, or on topics involving China and Russia, Islam, Central Asia or the Pacific World. Students may also profit from interaction with Georgetown's Asianist faculty members in other disciplines, including government, economics, law, art history and theology. (See the Asian Studies Program website for more information on Asian Studies at Georgetown in general and on the MA in Asian Studies.) We encourage all candidates for the Ph.D. in Asian history to think comparatively and to develop competence in teaching world history as well as that of their own Asian regional specialty—something increasingly important in today's job market. Those applying for the Ph.D. program in Asian history at Georgetown should already be competent (able to conduct research and communicate as needed in speech and writing) in one relevant Asian language at the time of application; ability in an appropriate second non-English language will be required for completion of the degree. Students from non-English-speaking countries are encouraged to seek admission, but must demonstrate strong spoken and written English through official GRE and TOEFL reports, writing samples, and any other evidence they can provide.