Graduate Student Handbook
HISTORY DEPARTMENT
Updated, June 2007
INTRODUCTION
For any questions unanswered by this handbook, please contact Robin Ennis at:
(919) 681-5746
rmennis@duke.edu
This handbook was prepared by the students and faculty members of the Graduate Committee in the Duke History Department and is regularly updated by the Director of Graduate Studies. It is intended to be of use to current students and faculty, and to prospective applicants to the Duke History Program. Subjects not covered herein, or those under review, are to be handled provisionally at the discretion of the Director of Graduate Studies.
This Handbook is only one source of information. Students are also responsible for knowing the university guidelines and requirements as described annually in the Graduate School Bulletin. In addition, the DGS has a Manual for Directors of Graduate Studies which contains necessary information (sometimes in more detailed and specific form than is presented here) regarding all aspects of graduate study at Duke. Do not hesitate to consult with the DGS.
The History Handbook spells out traditional aspects of the program and explains recent and ongoing revisions. We believe that by restating the Program's basic guidelines clearly, students and faculty will be freed to pursue their goals as historians. Because it serves several purposes, you may find this Handbook too detailed for your needs on some matters, or not detailed enough on others. The questions and comments of users will determine what topics need to be clarified and expanded -- or simplified and condensed. Please help us by bringing your questions and comments to the Director of Graduate Studies and the Assistant to the DGS, so the process of periodic revision may continue.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DEPARTMENTAL LOCATION AND STRUCTURE
Departmental Administrative Staff
Departmental Organization
The History Graduate Student Association
The Graduate Committee
The Assistant to the Graduate History Program
ADMISSION AND FINANCIAL AID
Admissions
Funding for New Applicants
Teaching and Grading Assistantships
Continuation of Funding
Work Study
INDIVIDUAL ADVISINGGUIDELINES FOR ADVISING/MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS
Role of the Director of Graduate Studies
Selecting and Changing Advisors
Responsibilities of Primary Graduate Advisors
Responsibilities of Graduate Students in the Advising Relationship
Mentoring/Advising Responsibilities of Faculty Other Than the Primary Advisor
COURSEWORK REQUIREMENTS
Requirements by Semester and Year
Optional Accelerated Path for Students Entering with an M.A.
Optional Accelerated Path for Students Wishing to Complete the Ph.D. in Four Years or Less
Course Descriptions
Limits on Independent Studies
Numbering System for 300-level Courses
Taking Classes at Other Local Universities
Registration Process
Grading System for Graduate Courses
Transferring Credits
Annual Progress toward Degree Requirement
CURRICULAR GOALS FOR PH.D. STUDENTS IN THE COURSEWORK STAGE
Goals for the First Year
Goals for the Second Year
THE DEPARTMENTAL LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
Options
MASTERS REQUIREMENTS
Admission
Academic Requirements
The "Intention to Receive Degree" Form
The Non-Thesis Master's Examination Card
JD/MA Requirements
PRELIMINARY CERTIFICATION
Preliminary Certification
The Portfolio
Timeline
Fields
Summary Portfolio Requirements
Portfolio Approval/Prelim (ABD) Certification
TEACHING AND OTHER WORK
Research Assistants
Graders
Teaching Assistants
Courses Taught Independently by Doctoral Candidates
Other Teaching Opportunities
DOCTORAL DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Formal Requirements
English Language Proficiency
Residence
Time Limits
THE DOCTORAL DISSERTATION
General Requirements
Dissertation Advisor and Supervisory Committee
Funding Dissertation Research and Writing
Submitting the Dissertation
The "Intention to Receive Degree" Form
The Final Examination Form
The Final Examination Certificate
The Dissertation Defense
Revising and Correcting the Dissertation
Depositing the Dissertation
Check List for Defending the Doctoral Dissertation
ADDITIONAL MATTERS
Conference Travel Funds
Leaves of Absence and Withdrawals
Policy Against Harassment
DEPARTMENTAL LOCATION AND STRUCTURE
Since 1992 the Duke History Department has been located in the Carr Building on the University's East Campus, near the Lilly Library. Carr faces the East Campus Lawn and is adjacent to the bus stop between East and West Campus. The Graduate Student Lounge (with student mailboxes and a computer) is located in 238 Carr Building, and there is a "Computer Cluster" and a Foreign Language Lab on the first floor. History faculty members have their offices in Carr, and their mailboxes are in the Faculty Lounge (226 Carr). Most undergraduate and graduate History classes are held in this building. (Parking is available for visitors to attend Master's, Preliminary, and Ph.D. meetings behind Carr Building , but a permit is required, and towing is enforced.) The main departmental offices are on the second floor.
Departmental Administrative Staff
Vivian Jackson, Administrative Assistant, 221 Carr Building, 668-7842, hisvgj@duke.edu
Carla Rusnak, Assistant to the Chair, 216 Carr Building, 684-2343, carla.rusnak@duke.edu
Robin Ennis, Assistant to the Director of Graduate Studies, 212A Carr Building , 681-5746, rmennis@duke.edu
Vanessa Jackson, Assistant to the Director of Undergraduate Studies, 220 Carr Building, 684-2409, vanessa@duke.edu
Cynthia Hoglen, Accounting/Visa Specialist, 211 Carr Building, 684-3626, cmhoglen@duke.edu
Jamie Hardy, Administrative Secretary, 217 Carr Building, 684-3014, jamie.hardy@duke.edu
Larry Smith, Computer Technician, 235 Carr Building, 684-6846, larry.smith@duke.edu
Departmental Organization
Governed by written by-laws, the department is headed by a Chair, who owes her or his appointment to the Dean of Arts & Sciences. William Reddy is the current Chair. The Chair in turn nominates an Associate Chair, currently Susan Thorne , a Director of Graduate Studies (DGS), at present John Thompson , and a Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUS), at present Tom Robisheaux , usually to serve for three-year terms. These 4 officers, with five other senior and junior faculty elected by the department, meet regularly as the Executive Committee.
There are Departmental Meetings of all History faculty on the first Wednesday of each month during the academic year, and graduate student representatives are invited to attend. Ad hoc faculty committees are appointed on recruitment, promotion, and tenure matters.
The Department's policy regarding Graduate Student Membership on Search Committees (10/30/92) is as follows: One graduate student will serve on departmental search committees. The following policies will guide the selection and service of the graduate student member. (1) The Chair of the Department will select all members of the search committee, including the graduate student member. (2) The graduate student member will normally be an advanced graduate student, ABD and nearing completion of the dissertation. (3) The graduate student will serve on the committee as faculty members do, as an individual, not as a representative of the graduate students. (4) The graduate student will be a voting member of the committee. (5) Service of a graduate student on a search committee is meant to supplement, not to replace, other graduate student participation in the search process. Other graduate students are still encouraged to meet with candidates, read their materials, and make a written recommendation to the search committee, either individually or collectively.
The History Graduate Association
All enrolled history graduate students are members of the History Graduate Students Association. This group has been active in proposing ways to improve and strengthen the program, assisting with recruitment and orientation, and seeking other ways to enhance the experience of history graduate students. Two graduate representatives selected by the HGSA attend the department's regular monthly faculty meetings.
The Graduate Committee
Chaired by the Associate Chair, this committee consists of the DGS, three faculty, the DGS Assistant, and four graduate students chosen by the History Graduate Student Association. The committee meets regularly to discuss matters of mutual concern and to advise the department on matters of policy relating to the graduate program.
The Assistant to the Graduate History Program
The assistant to the History Graduate Program, Robin Ennis, works closely with the Director of Graduate Studies to direct the day-to-day functioning of the Program Office. She handles applicant inquiries, admissions procedures, graduate student registration, monthly payments for fellowships and teaching, and other administrative duties. Robin assists graduate students in scheduling the following academic meetings: the MA meeting, the written and/or oral parts of any PhD Preliminary exam, and the Final Dissertation Defense.