Curriculum

Humanities PhD

Curriculum
Core/elective courses (13 Courses/39 credits)

HUM510: A History of Technology (3 credits)
HUM600: Humanities Problems and Perspectives (3 credits)
HUM605: Philosophical Perspectives on the Digital Age (3 credits)
HUM610: The Religious Component of Culture (3 credits)
HUM617: Political Philosophy and Technology (3 credits)
HUM618: Humanities Theory, Method and the Disciplines (3 credits)
HUM620: Social Transformation through Art (3 credits)
HUM625: Ethics and Modern Technology (3 credits)
HUM630: Modern Literature and the Human Condition (3 credits)
HUM598/655 Special Topics: Research Colloquium (1-3 credits)
HUM635: Culture, Society and the Global Condition (3 credits)

• Proficiency phase ending in formal matriculation
• Qualifying phase leading to doctoral candidacy
• Dissertation phase culminating in an oral defense of the completed thesis

Proficiency Phase (Five courses/15 credits)
In the proficiency phase students complete prerequisites if required (e.g., independent study or specific MA level humanities courses such as HUM500); demonstrate competence in translating a second language, complete HUM510, HUM600 and 3 other courses designated as satisfying either core or elective credit (may include 500-level humanities and interdisciplinary courses from other programs), and complete a set paper exploring a provisional thesis or issue connected to the chosen inquiry area. Following their fifth course students contact the Graduate Program Director to arrange the Matriculation/Evaluation meeting during which the student’s progress, performance on the area of inquiry paper, remaining courses and any needs for humanities or special subject field preparation are discussed along with the possibilities for a potential faculty mentor.

The form and topic of the area of inquiry paper is set by the director in consultation with the student. The paper is written during any Fall or Spring semester of the proficiency phase following successful completion of HUM 600. The research and writing of the paper may form part of the work for a core/elective course taken during the semester in which it is completed (with the approval of the course instructor and program director). The paper and the student’s performance in a follow-up oral exam are evaluated by an appropriate faculty member and the program director. 
           
Qualifying Phase (Eight Courses/24 credits)
In the qualifying phase students submit for approval to the program director a rationale connecting concentration electives to the chosen area of inquiry. Students complete either HUM598 or HUM655, (special topics: research colloquium), take HUM618 (Theory, Method and the Disciplines) and final core/elective courses finishing with HUM635 (Capstone Course) taken in the spring semester preceding the comprehensive exam (administered at the beginning of August).

The Comprehensive Examination
Students qualify for doctoral candidacy after successfully passing the comprehensive examination. The exam follows satisfactory fulfillment of any prerequisites, demonstration of proficiency in language translation and in the program area of inquiry, any required special subject preparation, and completion of thirteen core/elective courses. In the comprehensive exam students are expected to demonstrate an advanced understanding of the humanities and the program area of inquiry. This written examination is based on core/elective courses and may include special subject area questions for individual students. The exam requires students to demonstrate excellence in summary analysis, explanation, citation, integration and critical evaluation.

Students who pass the doctoral comprehensive examination may apply for the Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in the Humanities by filing a request in the Registrar's Office. Certificates are awarded at the following commencement.

Dissertation Phase
Following successful completion of the comprehensive examination, students advance to doctoral candidacy and enter the third program phase. Students are automatically enrolled in Dissertation Research, HUM 681-698 each fall and spring until all degree requirements are completed. Each semester's work is graded Pass or Fail (P/F). Students remain enrolled in this course until the dissertation is officially accepted by the University. Before beginning research students publicly present a fully developed dissertation proposal. When the dissertation proposal is accepted, students proceed to research and write a scholarly dissertation under the guidance of the dissertation committee (the mentor and two readers).

Dissertation Proposals
Dissertation research proposals are completed and scheduled for public presentation in the first or second year of the dissertation phase. The proposal is approved by the faculty mentor, two readers, and the Graduate Program Director. Topics and approaches must contain original contributions to knowledge within the scope of the humanities and the student’s area of inquiry. As the dissertation is being written, students undergo ongoing review of the work. After the dissertation is completed, students engage in a public oral defense of the work. The degree is awarded upon the dissertation committee's positive recommendation. Following final revisions, dissertations are formally presented to the University for acceptance and in partial fulfillment of the Ph.D. in the Humanities.