The substantive focus of the PhD program is the organization and development of contemporary societies, both in a comparative context and with particular reference to Canadian society. The breadth of offerings within each field of specialization makes it possible for doctoral students to pursue research on a wide range of specific topics. The Department offers a collaborative PhD, with a specialization in Political Economy. Six units in the university participate in this collaborative program: Canadian Studies, Geography, History, Political Science, Public Policy and Administration, Sociology and Anthropology. A collaborative specialization in African Studies is also available.