Courses in postcolonial literature can be an important part of a liberal studies education. There are elements of psychology, politics, history, and sociology woven into the study of oppression, resistance, self-image, and world view.

The PhD is a doctoral degree, specifically called a "doctor of philosophy" degree. This is misleading because PhD holders are not necessarily philosophers (unless they earned their degree in philosophy!). That said, PhD recipients are able to engage in thought experiments, reason about problems, and solve problems in sophisticated ways.