Table of Contents
OFFICE OF GRADUATE STUDIES (OGS)
GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDENT ASSOCIATION (GPSA)
NEW MEXICO RESIDENCY DEFINITIONS
FINANCIAL AID, AWARDS, AND ASSISTANTSHIPS
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT AND ALTERNATIVE RESEARCH TOOL
AMERICAN CULTURE STUDIES (ACS) COMPONENT
LEAVE OF ABSENCE AND READMISSION
This Handbook (http://www.unm.edu/~amstudy/Handbook%202010-11.htm)
and the UNM Catalog (available at the UNM Bookstore) contain information
essential to your successful graduate career at UNM. It is strongly suggested
that they be included in your Òrequired reading.Ó Ignorance of a rule does not
constitute a basis for waiving that rule.
Students must
comply with the procedures and meet the requirements stated in the Graduate
Handbook for the year in which they began their graduate work in the
department. A student may choose to follow requirements stated in the most
recently revised version of the Handbook, but must notify his/her advisor of
that decision upon successful completion of the ACS Exam. The department
reserves the right to correct errors that appear in the print or online
versions of the Handbook.
Note the pre-2010 version is available online at www.unm.edu/~amstudy/handbook.shtml.
For over sixty years,
the Department of American Studies has provided graduate students at the
University of New Mexico with a unique opportunity for pursuing interdisciplinary
studies. First chartered as an interdepartmental post-master's PhD program in
1944, American Studies was reconstituted as a regular department in the College
of Arts and Sciences in 1975. A Master of Arts degree was added three years later.
The Department currently offers the only PhD in American Studies in the Rocky
Mountain region. Since 1979, when an undergraduate major was added to the minor
course of study, American Studies graduate students have been able to teach a
variety of our introductory courses.
The graduate
program in American Studies is designed to familiarize students with a wide
range of scholarship as a basis for their pursuit of specific programs of
study. Recent American Studies graduates have pursued careers in academia,
public policy, secondary education and cultural institutions in the arts and
government.
Foremost, among
the American Studies DepartmentÕs many areas of distinction in research and
teaching are:
1)
Transnationalism and Globalization
2) Critical Regionalism and Southwest Studies
3) Critical Race and Class Studies
4) Environment, Science and Technology Studies
5) Gender, Sexuality and Feminist Studies
6) Comparative Cultural and Popular Culture Studies
Students have the
opportunity to develop a comparative and interdisciplinary approach to
historical, literary, visual, and ethnographic theory and methods.
While students are
required to complete seminars within the department in two or more of the above
concentrations, the department encourages students to develop programs of study
that creatively combine resources of multiple colleges and departments.
This Graduate
Handbook is designed to provide students with technical information about
requirements for completing each stage of the graduate degree process. Graduate
students are expected to exercise initiative and responsibility in fashioning
their curricula, constituting their faculty committees, and maintaining contact
with their faculty advisor as they determine a course of study and a timeline
for completion of the degree.
During the academic year, the Department periodically
sponsors scholarly presentations by guest lecturers, faculty, and graduate
students. Presentations include reports on current research, previews of papers
to be read at off-campus professional meetings, and seminar or course
materials.
Over fifty MA and PhD candidates – many of the latter in
the dissertation writing stage – are currently enrolled in the American
Studies Department. Those already enrolled are governed by the rules in effect
when they were advanced to candidacy.
Since the American
Studies Department is relatively small, the faculty usually acts as a committee
of the whole to make most policy decisions about admissions, curriculum, and
financial assistance.
The first Committee on Graduate Study was formed at
UNM in 1916. A year later the first Master's degrees were awarded in Chemistry
and Latin. In 1919 the Graduate School was formally constituted, and in 1947
the University's first PhDs were graduated in American Studies and Latin
American Studies. For 2010-11 it is expected
that at least 450 Master's and 300 Doctoral degrees will be earned.
In 1977 the
Graduate School was decentralized, and the Office of Graduate Studies was
created. The Faculty Senate Graduate Committee and the Dean of Graduate Studies
in conjunction with the college graduate committees are now responsible for
coordinating and monitoring graduate student activities throughout the
University. To this end OGS has created a myriad of policies, forms, and
regulations to which the unsuspecting graduate student must adhere if she/he
hopes to survive. The most important of these are explicated in this handbook.
OGS, however, believes that the UNM Catalog constitutes a written contract (see
"About This Catalog" in the Catalog, p. 4). When in doubt, always
consult this student guide, which may be purchased at the UNM Bookstore or
accessed online at http://registrar.unm.edu/catalog.htm.
Students may
fulfill the requirements for graduation stated in the UNM Catalog (previously
called the Graduate Bulletin) for the year in which they were enrolled for the
first time in a degree-granting graduate program at the University of New
Mexico, provided they complete the graduation requirements for the degree
sought within the time scale prescribed in that Catalog. Students transferring
to American Studies from another UNM degree-granting program must graduate
under the Catalog in effect at the time of their transfer. Alternatively, a
student may elect to graduate under a later version of the Catalog; in this
event, the student must meet all the requirements for graduation in the Catalog
chosen. The Catalog under which the student will graduate must be specified on
the Application for Candidacy.
GPSA is the independent service organization that was
established in 1969 to serve all part-time and full-time graduate students. The
GPSA is governed by a Council comprised of representatives from all graduate
student departments on campus (American Studies has one GPSA representative).
In addition, the GPSA Student Research Allocation Committee (SRAC) provides
funds for student research projects (thesis and dissertation) and travel to
research-associated conferences such as the national American Studies
Association conference.
GPSA provides
other services and regularly appoints graduate representatives to some eighteen
standing university committees and policy-making boards. Currently, GPSA is
located in the Student Union Building 60, Suite 1021 at the Plaza Level.
Students applying from outside the Department or
University should contact American Studies and the Admissions Office for information and an application. Application
information is also available on the Department website at
http://www.unm.edu/~amstudy/.
For students
currently enrolled in the American Studies MA program at UNM who wish to pursue
a PhD in the department, the faculty admissions committee meets to evaluate
applications twice a year: in September for the spring term and in February for
the fall term. Admission is contingent upon finishing the degree in the
semester in which students apply for the PhD. If, for any reason, the student
does not complete the MA requirements in the specified semester, s/he must
petition the faculty to carry over acceptance into the PhD program to the
semester following completion of MA requirements. The following materials are
required of those MA students seeking to continue on to the PhD at UNM:
1. A substantive letter of intent (3-5 double-spaced
pages) summarizing prior academic training, explaining current academic and
professional objectives, and justifying how these goals might be met in the
Department of American Studies. Applicants should outline a tentative,
interdisciplinary course of study, including the types of courses and the
thematic concerns they would like to explore in American Studies and other
designated departments.
2. Two letters of recommendation, one letter from a
faculty member within the department and one letter from a faculty member
outside the department.
3. Fill out Change of Degree Level form (available at the
OGS website and submitted to the American Studies department)
4. Application should be turned in by February 1 for fall
consideration and September 1 for spring consideration
A student who enters and remains in New Mexico
principally to obtain an education is presumed to be a non-resident for tuition
purposes.
A student is
classified as a resident or non-resident for tuition purposes based on
information supplied on the application at the time of admission. The residence
is only changed upon re-application for admission or submission of a petition
to the Office of the Registrar in the Student Services Center. Residency
petitions will be accepted until the second Friday of each fall and spring
semester. No petitions will be accepted after that date. State law establishes residency
requirements for tuition purposes. Each person must meet the requirements
individually (marriage is not a factor in deciding residency).
To become a legal
resident of New Mexico, the student must satisfy four basic requirements:
1. Twelve months consecutive presence
2. Financial independence
3. Written declaration of "Intent"
4. Overt acts
Other relevant
factors may be considered along with those itemized above.
See the UNM Catalog for more detailed information on basic requirements as well
as guidelines on exceptions and additional regulations.
Second-year
students who receive fellowships, assistantships, or other awards do not
automatically attain resident status. Awards including tuition and fees cover
resident tuition rates only. To ensure in-state tuition rates, students must
file a petition establishing New Mexico residency. See below ("Financial
Aid, Awards, and Assistantships") for resident tuition status available to
qualified teaching/graduate assistants.
A brochure
explaining all requirements for establishing New Mexico residency and residency
petitions is available from the Office of the Registrar, Student Service
Center, Room 261. Persons who have special problems concerning residency should
arrange for a conference with the Registrar.
Department Aid
The faculty meets as a committee of the whole to review resources and award
financial assistance to as many students as possible. The department offers
approximately twelve (12) quarter time (10 hours of work per week) teaching
assistantships (PhD and advanced MA students) and graduate assistantships (MA
or PhD students) each semester. These include a stipend, remission of tuition
for graduate coursework up to six hours and health insurance benefits. Teaching
and graduate assistants paying for hours beyond the tuition waiver are eligible
for the resident tuition rate provided they are employed at least quarter-time.
The TA usually teaches American Studies 182, 183, 184,185, and 186. Advanced
graduate students may apply to design their own 200-level course. The GA has
different responsibilities each semester, but often assists in one of the large
introductory courses. TAs/GAs must be registered for at least six (6) hours of
graduate credit, and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 in graduate
work. PhD students are eligible for a total of six (6)
semesters of financial aid from the department; MA students are eligible for a
total of four (4) semesters of aid.
Advanced doctoral
students at the dissertation stage may also apply to teach a 300-level course
as a Teaching Associate. Teaching Associates do not receive a tuition waver.
Teaching Associates must be registered for at least six (6) hours of graduate
credit and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 in graduate work.
Specific
guidelines for financial aid applications are distributed to all students each
year in time for every student who so desires to apply for departmental aid.
Departmental aid awards are highly competitive and are based on studentsÕ
demonstrated accomplishments and departmental needs.
Other
Sources of Aid
The Office of Graduate Studies offers a limited number of financial aid
fellowships and awards. Some may be held concurrently with other forms of aid.
Contact: Office of Graduate Studies, Humanities 107, 505/277-2711.
The University
administers National Direct/Perkins Loans and Federal Direct Student Loans and
cooperates in the administration of a number of other such funds, as well as
work study and student employment programs. Short-term emergency loans are also
available to currently enrolled full-time graduate students. Contact: Student
Financial Aid Office, Mesa Vista North, 505/277-4953.
The Student
Research Allocations Committee provides money for student research projects and
for travel expenses to conferences and workshops directly related to the
student's degree program. Contact: SRAC, Graduate & Professional Student
Association, Student Union Building (SUB), Room 1021, 505/277-3803.
Student members of
the American Studies Association who have had papers accepted for the annual
meeting may enter the ASA-wide competition for the Gene Wise-Warren Susman
Prize, which includes a certificate and $500 in cash awarded for the best paper
presented by a graduate student at the meeting. Annette K. Baxter travel grants
are awarded to up to five graduate students in national competition and provide
reimbursement for travel expenses up to a maximum of $300 per recipient.
Deadlines are in early September.
Some funding for
travel and/or research is usually available through the DepartmentÕs American
Studies Graduate Student Association.
The Department
encourages graduate students to investigate outside sources of funding for
study/research. Various listings of grant opportunities are available through
the Office of Research, 102 Scholes Hall 505/277-2256.
ADVISEMENT
Each semester, during the months
of October and April (before registering for classes), all students should
consult with their faculty advisors.
New students are
assigned temporary faculty advisors during their first semester of study. After
two semesters of coursework, NO LATER THAN the completion of twelve (12) hours
of coursework, students must choose a faculty advisor and notify the Graduate
Director in writing of the faculty member's agreement to oversee their progress
and exams. The Graduate Director should be apprised in writing of any changes
in this selection, and should then notify the department administrator as well.
All students
should meet at least once a semester with their faculty advisors to discuss
appropriate coursework. The faculty advisor will assist the student in planning
a program of studies fostering mastery of fundamental knowledge of their
interdisciplinary areas through full exploitation of the resources of the
University.
ANNUAL PROGRESS REVIEW
The faculty is concerned that all students make consistent and timely progress
toward their degrees. To this end, the entire faculty reviews the previous
semester's grade reports on each master's and doctoral student, hears the
faculty advisorsÕ report, and checks student progress in forming exam
committees and/or completing degree requirements. This review is done once
annually. Students whose record appears to indicate current or potential
difficulty are notified in writing.
If a student shows
little promise of completing the degree program, the department will notify the
student and the Dean of Graduate Studies in writing that the student is
disenrolled from further work in that program. Disenrolled students are not
eligible to continue work in any graduate degree program in the University for
a period of one calendar year from the date of disenrollment. Readmission after
the disenrollment period requires the approval of the department to which the
student has applied for readmission and of the Dean of Graduate Studies.
Note: A student
record reflecting two incompletes, which extend beyond one semester, will be
considered grounds for automatic disenrollment.
COURSEWORK
All courses must carry graduate
credit within their particular department. In the case of American Studies,
this means courses numbered 500 and above.
All American Studies graduate students are required to take at least six (6)
graduate seminars offered within the Department. One of these must be the
American Culture Studies pro-seminar [see "American Culture Studies (ACS)
Component" below]. The five remaining seminars should address two areas of
emphasis in the department. Students should take these required American
Studies graduate seminars from among several different faculty in the
department. Note: not all courses with 500-level course numbers are graduate
seminars! It is your responsibility to check the courseÕs status.
Students who are admitted to the PhD after completing an MA in American Studies
at UNM are not required to repeat the ACS seminar, but must have a total of 12
graduate seminars (36 hours total) offered within the department in their
combined MA and PhD coursework. Students must also meet academic residence
requirements and continuous enrollment regulations appropriate to their degree
program (see "Residence Requirements, OGS" and "Thesis and
Dissertation" below).
Master of Arts
Plan I (Thesis)
1. A minimum of 27 hours of coursework.
2. A minimum of 6 additional hours of thesis (AMST 599) credit.
3. At least 18 hours completed in residence at UNM.
4. No more than 3 hours of independent study credit (AMST 597).
Plan II (Non-thesis)
1. A minimum of 33 hours of coursework.
2. No more than 3 hours of independent study credit.
3. At least 26 of these credit hours must be completed in residence at UNM.
Doctorate
1. A
minimum of 30 hours post-MA coursework
2. At
least 18 additional hours of dissertation credit (AMST 699)
3. Only
6 hours of PhD coursework may be in individual study (AMST 697), for a maximum
total of 9 hours individual study in combined MA
and PhD coursework.
4. At
least 24 of the total 48 PhD credit hours must be completed at UNM.
5.
Doctoral candidates must be enrolled the semester in which they complete their
degrees, including summer sessions.
Minors
American Studies
offers a minor to MA students in other departments. Please consult the UNM
catalog for details.
American Studies
graduate students wishing to complete a minor in another department may do so
in consultation with their advisors, and must contact the other department for
specific guidelines. American Studies faculty will not serve on committees of
studies for minors in other departments. Plan I students may take no more than
9 hours of graduate coursework in a single other department; Plan II students
are limited to 15 hours of graduate coursework in a single department other
than American Studies.
A student record reflecting two incompletes, which
extend beyond one semester, will be considered grounds for automatic
disenrollment.
Note: The
following residency requirements refer to credits taken prior to
admission to the Department of American Studies. The graduate school
allows MA applicants to transfer credits from a comparable MA program at
the discretion of the American Studies Department. The following OGS
residence requirements do not apply to coursework taken after admission to the
Department. The American Studies Department requires that all courses taken
after admission to the Department be taken at the University of New Mexico.
Master's
At the master's level, candidates must complete at least 50% of their
coursework at UNM after admission into the MA program. (Translation: Students
enrolled in an MA program outside of UNM may petition to have courses transfer
to the department should they be admitted. The decision to accept courses taken
prior to admission is at the discretion of the Department of American Studies).
Doctorate
For the PhD, the minimum residence requirement is at least eighteen (18) credit
hours completed at UNM after the admission into the PhD program.
Master's
At the present time there is no foreign language requirement for the MA.
Doctorate
Before a student may take the comprehensive exam, s/he must satisfy the OGS
language or research skill requirement and file the ÒCertification of Language
or Research Skill RequirementÓ form. Students who select the language option
should, if possible, choose a language that may be useful in their research.
Language competency may be demonstrated in one of the following ways:
á 4 semesters of coursework in the language with a grade
of B or above (may be part of undergraduate coursework or other coursework
taken elsewhere)
á A graduate-level course in that language with a grade
of B or above
á A minor or its equivalent in the language (may be
completed elsewhere)
á Passing the ETS examination in the chosen language
á Passing an exam given by the Foreign Languages and
Literatures or the Spanish and Portuguese department
á Student speaks the language with near-native ability
as certified by UNM
á Student is a foreign student with a good command of
English and his/her native language meets the language requirement
á Other options by petition to the department. Please
see below:
The alternate
methodology option allows a student to pursue proficiency in research skills
appropriate to his or her dissertation. Students electing this option must
complete 6 to 12 hours of graded coursework, which does not apply to course
credits for the doctorate. (In some cases, coursework completed previously,
elsewhere, may be acceptable.) Students who choose the Alternative Research
Tool option must, after consultation with their faculty advisors, submit a
proposal (1-2 pages) explaining and justifying the alternate research skill and
specifying the coursework that satisfies this requirement. This proposal must
be accepted by the department and approved by the studentÕs advisor, the graduate
advisor, and the department chair.
Frequently, in order to verify enrollment for purposes
of determining eligibility for financial aid and loan deferment, the University
is required to certify the enrollment status of a student. In such instances
one's load is described as full-time, half time, or part-time according to the
following:
A.
Academic Year
1. Full-time
9 or more credit hours per semester
6 credit hours per semester and an assistantship
2. Half-time
5 – 8 credit hours per semester
3.
Less than half-time
4 or fewer credit hours per semester
B. Summer Session
1. Full-time
6 credit hours or more
3 credit hours and an assistantship
2. Half-time
3 – 5 credit hours
3. Less
than half-time
1 – 2 credit hours
Note: Students
with loans are encouraged to verify what is considered full-time status with
their lender, as it may be different from University standards.
Before advancement to candidacy, all graduate students
must successfully complete the American Culture Studies (ACS) component. There
are two requirements:
1. A passing grade
of B or higher in the fall pro-seminar AMST 500, American Culture Studies.
The ACS pro-seminar must be taken during the
first fall semester of each student's graduate career.
The ACS
pro-seminar introduces students to the American Studies Association, American
Studies nationally, and American Studies at UNM since the 1940s. It is
conducted as a "workshop" designed to introduce students to the ACS
reading list (#2 following) through discussion and critical/analytical writing
assignments. One or two faculty members lead the pro-seminar; each of the other
American Studies faculty members participates in at least one session,
discussing reading list books appropriate to their interests.
Students who
receive less than a B in the ACS pro-seminar must retake the class the
following fall. The class may be repeated only once and only during the fall
semester subsequent to initial enrollment in the course. The repeated ACS seminar
does apply toward the nine-hour full-time status requirement, but the course
will be listed only once for credit toward the American Studies degree. Grades
from both enrollments in the ACS seminar will be calculated in the student's
overall GPA. See (2) below for information on taking the ACS exam upon
successful completion of the ACS seminar.
2. A pass on the
ACS examination (based on the ACS reading list). All books on the ACS reading
list are required for both MA and PhD students. These books "serve as case
studies or models of one or more exemplary approaches to material that falls
within the realm of American studiesÉ[and] are not intended to comprise an
overview of American history, society and culture but a range of approaches to
its studyÉ chosen for their range, variety, heuristic value, pertinence of
problems addressed, interdisciplinarity and potential for provoking
constructive and fruitful dialogue."
All students who
have passed the ACS pro-seminar with a grade of B or higher must take the ACS
exam the week before the start of classes the following fall semester. The exam
will be given as a four-day take-home between 12:00 p.m. on Monday and 12:00 p.m.
on Friday. Results (pass or retake) will be returned three Fridays later at
noon.
Students who
receive a "retake" on the exam may retake it once. The make-up exam
will be given as a four-day take-home between 12:00 p.m. Monday and 12:00 p.m. Friday
in the week before the start of classes in the spring semester. Results (pass
or fail) will be available three Fridays later at noon. Students who must
retake the ACS seminar for insufficient grade points (below a B) have the
option of taking the ACS exam in the spring semester directly following their
successful (a grade of B or higher) completion of the pro-seminar or in the
subsequent fall semester.
Students who fail
to pass either the ACS pro-seminar or the ACS examination after two attempts
have not made sufficient progress toward the degree and will be subject to
automatic disenrollment.
ACS Exam
The ACS exam consists of three questions, from which
students must choose one. It is a take-home exam scheduled for the week before
fall semester classes begin. Questions are usually written and graded by the
faculty members who taught the pro-seminar for the cohort of graduate students
taking the exam. The examination questions cover important themes and critical
theoretical and/or methodological dimensions in a good number of books from the
ACS reading list. Students will be instructed on exam submission procedures
when the exam is handed out. The department administrator formats all exams so
that the cover page identifies the student only by a number in order to insure
that exams are graded anonymously. The Departmental style sheet is the Chicago
Manual of Style, which can be referenced in the Department office.
Before advancement to candidacy, all graduate students
must successfully complete the American Culture Studies (ACS) component.
Students are advised to make a list of proposed coursework to submit to their
advisor and the Graduate Director after their completion of 15-18 credit hours.
Master's
At the MA level, after completion of the ACS component and 27 hours of resident
graduate credit, students secure a Program of Studies form from the Office of
Graduate Studies website (www.unm.edu/grad). In
consultation with the student's faculty advisor, the candidate lists completed
and projected coursework and declares election of either Plan I (thesis) or
Plan II (non-thesis). The form is then signed by the faculty advisor and by the
Chair of the Department before being sent to OGS for the approval of the Dean
of Graduate Studies. OGS requires that the approved Program of Studies form is
received in their office at least one semester before the student plans to
graduate.
Doctorate
At the PhD level, after successful completion of coursework and the
comprehensive examination, students secure an Application for Candidacy from
the Office of Graduate Studies website (www.unm.edu/grad).
In consultation with the student's faculty advisor, the candidate lists
completed and projected coursework. The entire Committee on Studies (comprehensive
examination committee) and the department chair must sign the application before
it is sent to OGS for the approval of the Dean of Graduate Studies.
The PhD residence
requirements and foreign language requirement (see above "Residence
Requirements, OGS" and "Language Requirement and Alternative Research
Tool") must be completed and reported before doctoral students may take
the comprehensive exam. After successful completion of the comprehensive
examination the student will be formally advanced to candidacy.
Master's
All MA students must form a comprehensive exam committee, following the
guidelines listed under "Comprehensive Examinations" below. Only
those who select the Thesis option (Plan I) for the MA are required to form a
Committee on Studies (see "Thesis and Dissertation – Thesis Committee").
Doctorate
Each doctoral student is required to have a Committee on Studies. The Committee
on Studies, which will also serve as the Examination Committee, must be formed
in consultation with the faculty advisor. The committee should consist of three
UNM faculty members who hold regular, full time appointments, at least two of
which must be from the American Studies core faculty. Normally, the student's
faculty advisor serves as chair of the Committee on Studies.
Committee
composition requires final approval by the department chair and the graduate
school dean. Students may arrange changes or additions to the committee
membership in consultation with the chair of her/his committee, the graduate
advisor, and the department chair. If a committee member is not UNM faculty,
her/his vita will need to be secured for approval for committee service by OGS.
The comprehensive exam at both the MA and PhD levels
is designed to test depth and breadth of knowledge in American Studies teaching
and research fields. In consultation with the faculty exam committee, students
are expected to develop a bibliography and write an exam that crosses two of
the departmentÕs fields of study. Once the student has identified the fields of
study, he/she then defines the research concentrations that emerge out of
his/her specific set of courses and research projects completed while pursuing
the degree. MA students are expected to develop two research concentrations and
PhD students are expected to develop three research concentrations. The exam
fields and research concentrations should be designed around academic
specializations with which the students have established familiarity.
Each research concentration
should be organized around a distinct scholarly literature with authors engaged
in a related set of questions and subject of inquiry. The bibliography for each
concentration is expected to reflect the major contours and current issues of
the scholarly literature in the area of concentration. In general, the scope of
a concentration should be narrow enough to allow the student to master the
principal scholarly literature in the topic area and broad enough to define an
undergraduate course. Examples include: Environmental Justice, Southwest
Studies, Visual Culture, Queer Theory, Diaspora Literatures, and Theories of
the Modern State. Keep in mind that the exam question incorporates and is
addressed to the two or three concentrations together. Therefore it is to your
advantage when designing the concentrations to consider ways that each list
might in some way speak to or intersect with the other. At the same time, the
concentrations should not be too closely aligned subconcentrations of a single
literature (for example: subaltern studies, postcolonial theory, and United
States imperialism).
The comprehensive exam is
distinct from a research paper, wherein students develop and argue a particular
thesis based on primary and/or secondary sources. In contrast to a research
paper, the objective of the comprehensive exam is to show that you have read
and understood the literature on your concentration list to the degree that you
can discuss a broad spectrum of that literature in a synthetic and coherent
manner.
American Studies teaching and
research concentrations are often interdisciplinary; we therefore ask, at the
outset, for each student taking a comprehensive exam to prepare a 2-3 page
comprehensive exam statement in which he/she describes the exam concentrations.
After approving the
comprehensive exam statement, the exam committee will work with the student to
develop the bibliographies for each concentration. Once the comprehensive exam
and bibliographies have been approved by the committee, the committee chair, in
consultation with the committee, will write one exam question. The exam
question will be addressed to the exam concentrations.
Comprehensive exams at the PhD level are intended both
to prepare students to begin dissertation work and to demonstrate mastery of
the breadth and depth of the exam concentrations.
MA Exam
MasterÕs students have the option of taking the MA exam or writing an MA
Thesis. If the exam route is chosen, the process of preparing for and writing
the MA exam should allow students to synthesize material drawn from MA
coursework and to create areas of special concentration and knowledge. Students
who plan to pursue a PhD may define their comprehensive concentrations in
anticipation of their future course of study.
Examination Committee
After preliminary advancement to candidacy (following 27 hours and completion
of the ACS exam) and at least four months before the anticipated date of the
comps, masterÕs students should meet with their faculty advisor to determine
membership of the Examination Committee. The committee will consist of at least
three members with approval for graduate instruction, two of which must hold
regular, full-time UNM faculty appointments. In addition, at least two
committee members (one of whom is the Committee Chair) must be from American
Studies.
Exam
Schedule
MA students may schedule comprehensive exams for the semester in which they
will finish coursework.
At least four (4)
months before the anticipated date of the comprehensive exam, an MA student
should meet with his or her faculty advisor to discuss potential areas of
concentration and to plan how the student will work with his or her exam
committee to prepare for the exam. Working with his/her exam committee, the
student will develop a comprehensive exam statement (3-5 pages) in which he/she
will define the parameters of and a rationale for the exam fields. Once the
committee has agreed to the fields defined in the comprehensive exam statement,
the student will work with the committee to develop a bibliography centered on
his/her exam fields. We strongly urge students to work closely with the
individual faculty member whose work is most closely related to each studentÕs
defined areas of concentration to develop an appropriate bibliography that
encompasses the significant literature on that field or topic.
Three (3) months
before the anticipated date of the comps, students should have secured
preliminary approval for each of the bibliographic sections from the faculty
member with whom s/he has been working to develop it.
Students will
submit to each exam committee member a ÒComprehensive Examination BibliographyÓ
with the following format:
(A) The
comprehensive exam statement.
(B) A comprehensive set of fully cited bibliographic entries divided by
area/field and arranged alphabetically within each section.
Exam committee
members will have two weeks to suggest changes to the bibliography. In
consultation with the committee chair, the student will incorporate these
changes and produce a final version of the bibliography. All members of the
committee must sign this version at least six (6)
weeks prior to the examination.
As preparation for
the exam, we urge students to meet regularly with committee members to discuss
the readings included on the bibliography.
At least three weeks prior to the exam, students
should inform the department administrator of their intention to take the exam,
the scheduled date and time, and their exam committee membership. OGS must
receive the ÒAnnouncement of Comprehensive ExaminationÓ form listing the exam
committee members and signed by the department chair at least two weeks prior to
the exam. No examination can be given unless this form has been properly
completed and filed.
Between two and three weeks before the scheduled start
of the exam, the exam committee, led by the studentÕs advisor, will develop the
exam question and submit it to the department administrator. Both the graduate
director and the department chair sign the final copy of the comps question.
Within 24 hours after receiving the question, the student may contact the exam
committee chair for clarification of this question.
MA comps must be
completed and submitted to the department office in seven (7) days. They should
be typed and double-spaced, with one-inch margins and standard font. The
Departmental style sheet is the Chicago Manual of Style, which can be
referenced in the Department office. The exam response should be 30-35 pages in
length. The student is responsible for distributing copies of the exam response
and question to each exam committee member and for providing a copy for the
department file.
PhD Exam
The areas of concentration defined for the PhD comprehensive exam should
provide the foundation for dissertation research and writing (including subject
matter, methodology and/or theory), but should also be thought of as the fields
in which the student plans to claim expertise as s/he seeks academic or other
professional employment.
In consultation
with his/her Committee on Studies, a student will develop a comprehensive exam
statement in which he/she will define the parameters of and rationale for the
exam fields. After each committee member has approved the statement, the
student will work closely with the committee members to develop a bibliography
covering his/her exam fields. This bibliography should not consist merely of
texts the student has encountered in his/her coursework. Rather, it should
represent a concerted attempt to develop expertise in several (commonly three
or four) well-defined fields of knowledge.
Examination
Committee
A doctoral candidateÕs examination committee is composed of the three members
of his or her Committee on Studies.
Exam
Schedule
At least five (5) months before the anticipated date of the comprehensive exam,
a PhD student should meet with his or her faculty advisor to discuss potential
areas of concentration and to plan how the student will work with his or her
exam committee to prepare for the exam. We strongly urge students to work
closely with the individual faculty member whose work is most closely related
to each studentÕs defined areas of concentration to develop the comprehensive
exam statement and an appropriate bibliography that encompasses the significant
literature on that field or topic.
Four (4) months
before the anticipated date of the comps, students should have submitted and
secured preliminary approval for the comprehensive exam statement and each of
the bibliographic sections from the faculty member with whom s/he has been
working to develop it.
At this point,
students will submit to each exam committee member a ÒComprehensive Examination
BibliographyÓ with the following format:
(A) The
comprehensive exam statement.
(B) A comprehensive set of fully cited bibliographic entries divided by
area/field and arranged alphabetically within each section.
Exam committee
members will have two weeks to suggest changes to the bibliography. In
consultation with the committee chair, the student will incorporate these
changes and produce a final version of the overview and bibliography. All
members of the committee must sign this version at least six (6) weeks prior to
the examination.
As preparation for
the exam, we urge students to meet regularly with
committee members to discuss the readings included on the bibliography.
At least three weeks prior to the exam, students
should inform the department administrator of their intention to take the exam,
the scheduled date and time, and their exam committee membership. OGS must
receive the ÒAnnouncement of Comprehensive ExaminationÓ form listing the exam
committee members and signed by the department chair at least two weeks prior
to the exam. No examination can be given unless this form has been properly
completed and filed. Note: If students are turning in their Announcement of
Exam form for a subsequent semester, they must be registered for that semester before OGS will approve the form.
Between two and three weeks before the scheduled start
of the exam, the exam committee will discuss and agree on a comprehensive
examination question that the exam committee chair will finalize. Both the
graduate director and the department chair sign the final copy of the comps
question. Within 24 hours after receiving the question, the student may contact
the Exam Committee Chair for clarification of this question.
PhD comps must be
completed and submitted to the department office in fourteen (14) days. The
Departmental style sheet is the Chicago Manual of Style, which can be
referenced in the Department office. They should be typed and double-spaced,
with one-inch margins. The exam response should be 40-45 pages in length. The
student is responsible for distributing copies of the exam response and
question to each exam committee member and for providing a copy for the
department file.
Normally,
comprehensive exams will be graded and the student notified of the results
within two weeks of their completion. After formal notification of results by
the department, students should contact their exam committee chair to arrange
to review readersÕ comments. Comps may be judged: Pass, Minor revisions
required, or Fail. Minor revisions must be submitted within one week (MasterÕs)
or two weeks (Doctorate) of notification. Students who fail their comps may
retake them once within six months of the failed test. They must enroll for at
least one semester of independent study with a faculty member in American
Studies before retaking their exam. The second attempt at comps is a pass/fail
situation; neither distinction nor minor revision will be possible.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Both MA and PhD comps are take-home. Students must back up computer files and
keep hard copies of their exams-in-progress. Only with such evidence can
judicious extensions be made to accommodate mechanical failure.
THESIS AND DISSERTATION
IMPORTANT NOTE: The following regulations supersede the minimum standards set
by the Office of Graduate Studies, particularly in regard to the specific
membership of committees.
The MA
Thesis
MA students may choose to complete an MA thesis instead of writing a
comprehensive exam. The thesis should be modeled on a scholarly journal
article, and should be approximately 50 pages in length and based on original
research.
The MA thesis is a
semester-long project, equivalent to the work done for the MA comprehensive
exam or to six hours of coursework.
Thesis
Credit Hours
Students opting for the MA with thesis must complete a minimum of six (6) hours
of thesis (599) credit. While working on the thesis, students must continue to
register for a minimum of one hour of 599 each fall and spring semester until
they submit the thesis and the dean of OGS approves it. Thesis candidates must
be enrolled the semester in which they complete degree requirements, including
summer sessions. Enrollment in 599 thesis hours may not begin prior to the
semester in which the thesis is being written.
Important
Dates
To receive a spring semester degree, a student must file his or her thesis with
OGS by April 15. That means that thesis committee members should have the
completed thesis in hand by mid-March, and the thesis defense should be
scheduled by April 1. For a fall semester degree, the thesis must be filed with
OGS by November 15, with the draft to the committee by mid-October. A student
who wishes to complete his/her thesis during the spring semester but cannot
meet a mid-March deadline may defend during the spring semester after the April
OGS deadline, but will receive the degree in the summer semester. Faculty members are not available to serve on MA
thesis committees during summer months.
MA Thesis
Committee
Plan I (thesis) masterÕs students must formally constitute a Thesis Committee
before enrolling for thesis (599) credit. Students initiate the formation of
their committee by selecting a faculty member to serve as director of the
thesis and chair of the committee. Then they agree upon the remainder of the
committee and complete a departmental ÒAppointment of Thesis CommitteeÓ form,
which must be endorsed by the department chair. (At this time, OGS has no form
for constituting a thesis committee.) MA thesis committees must include at
least three faculty members with approval for graduate instruction, two of whom
must hold regular, full-time UNM faculty appointments; the chair of the
committee must be from within the American Studies Department. If a committee
member is not UNM faculty, her/his vita will need to be secured for approval
for graduate instruction by OGS.
Thesis
Prospectus
The thesis prospectus should be completed in the semester before the student
plans to write the thesis. The prospectus should be 5-7 pages
in length. It must offer a clear statement of topic and an explanation of the
major research question or argument that will structure the thesis. The
prospectus must also specify the primary sources, texts, or other data on which
the thesis will be based, as well as information about the availability of the
materials to the student. The prospectus should conclude with a brief statement
discussing the significance of the project and a very specific plan (with
target dates) for the research and writing stages of the thesis. A one-page
bibliography of relevant secondary works and a one-page CV should be attached
to the prospectus. If a student plans to do ethnographic research, oral
histories, interviews, or surveys, s/he must receive approval from UNMÕs IRB
before conducting such research.
Approval
of Prospectus
After the thesis chair has approved the proposal, it must be submitted (with
the ÒCommittee Evaluation FormÓ cover sheet, available through the department
office) for the approval of other members of the committee. The graduate
director (if s/he is not already a member of the committee) will also read the
prospectus. Committee members will evaluate the prospectus and return it, with
comments, within two weeks. The prospectus is not considered accepted until all
committee members approve it. A copy of the approved prospectus should be filed
in the studentÕs departmental file.
Thesis
Style and Suggested Length
The Departmental style sheet is the Chicago Manual of Style, which can be
referenced in the Department office. Suggested length for the MA Thesis is 50
pages. OGS manuscript guidelines and required front matter forms can be
obtained from the OGS website.
Thesis
Submission
A complete draft of the thesis should be submitted to the studentÕs committee
chair and her/his faculty committee well in advance of the anticipated
graduation date. The MA defense should be scheduled no later than the end of
October in fall and the end of March in spring. After approval by the full
thesis committee, one hardbound copy of the final draft is deposited with the
department administrator, and an electronic copy is to be submitted to OGS for
approval. In order for a student to graduate in a given semester, OGS must
receive the thesis, all required forms, and all
other degree requirements by November 15, April 15, or July 15, for fall,
spring, or summer respectively.
Thesis
Defense
The thesis defense is an hour-long discussion of the thesis and its
significance and is required for completion of the degree.
Three
weeks prior to the defense, students should inform the department administrator
of their intention to defend, the scheduled date, time, and location, and the
committee composition. As with the comprehensive exams, OGS must receive the
ÒAnnouncement of Thesis DefenseÓ form listing the exam committee members and
signed by the department chair at least two weeks prior to the exam. No defense
can be held unless this form is properly completed and filed.
The
final defense is public and open to all who wish to attend. Candidates should
note that the Catalog directs that a complete copy of the thesis must be
submitted to each member of the committee at least two weeks before the final
defense. The student is also responsible for giving each committee member a
copy of the department ÒGuidelines for Thesis DefenseÓ (available in the
department office).
In
order to graduate in a given semester, the student and/or department must
provide OGS, by November 15, April 15, or July 15 for fall, spring or summer
respectively, with the following:
1. Report of Examination form indicating the results of
the final oral defense
2. Information Cover Sheet Form
3. ÒReport on Thesis/Dissertation filled out and signed
by each committee member and signed by the Committee Chair and Department Chair
4. ÒCertification of Final FormÓ signed by the student,
the Committee Chair, and all committee members
5. One printed copy of the red-bordered signature page
signed by the Committee Chair and all committee members
6. Printed copy of the Red Border Title Page
7. ETD Release form signed by the student
The
student should meet with an OGS representative to ensure compliance with the
electronic formatting and submission guidelines. All required forms can be
found at the OGS website, www.unm.edu/grad. A hardbound copy of
the thesis is deposited with the department administrator. Check with the
manuscript coordinator at OGS about procedure for binding.
Dissertation
Committee
The Dissertation Committee is constituted in the same way as the Thesis
Committee. Doctoral students formally constitute a Dissertation Committee after
successfully passing the comprehensive exam. Students initiate the formation of
their committee by selecting a faculty member to serve as director of the
dissertation and chair of the committee. Then they agree upon the remainder of
the committee and complete an ÒAppointment of Dissertation CommitteeÓ form
(available from the OGS website). This form requires the signature of the
candidate, the committee chair, the department chair, and the dean of OGS.
á The dissertation committee must include at least four
(4) members approved for graduate instruction.
á The committee chair must be a core (tenured or
tenure-track) member of the American Studies department. A co-chair may be
added, and may be from inside or outside UNM.
á At least two members (including the chair) must be
regular, full-time faculty members in American Studies.
á One of the members must be Òexternal,Ó meaning he or
she must hold a regular (tenured or tenure-track) position outside the American
Studies department. This member may be from another UNM department or from
another university. Scholars who do not hold faculty positions in colleges or
universities are not usually accepted by OGS to satisfy this requirement.
á One of the members may be a non-faculty expert in the
studentÕs research area. This person need not hold a faculty position.
á Up to three of the members may be drawn from the
American Studies department. Additional members beyond the required 4 may be
appointed in consultation with the student.
If a committee
member is not UNM faculty, the student will need to obtain his/her CV as OGS
must approve non-UNM faculty for graduate committee service.
Dissertation
Credit Hours
The program for the doctorate includes a minimum of 18 hours of dissertation
(699) credit. While working on the dissertation, students must continue to
register for at least three hours of 699 each fall and spring semester until
the dean of OGS approves the dissertation. Doctoral candidates must be enrolled
the semester in which they complete degree requirements, including summer
sessions. Enrollment in 699 may not begin prior to the semester in which
comprehensive exams are taken.
Dissertation
Prospectus and Format
After passing comps and constituting a dissertation committee, students begin
work on the prospectus, a 10-page exposition of topic, methodology, review of
sources, and research plan with a 3-5 page bibliography. Only proposals of this
length will be accepted. An outline for the dissertation proposal is available
in the department office.
The Ph.D. dissertation prospectus is a 10-12 page exposition of topic, methodology, review of sources, and research plan with a 3-5 page bibliography. The prospectus should include the following sections: 1. an introduction that provides an overview of the topic, a statement on the significance of the project, as well as research questions; 2. a review of literature on the subject 3. an explication of the methodologies employed, as well as the main theoretical emphases of the project; and 4. a final section that includes a dissertation chapter outline, as well as a research plan with a schedule indicating time to completion. Finally, the prospectus should include a 3-5 page bibliography. If a student plans to do ethnographic research, oral histories, interviews, or surveys, s/he must receive approval from UNMÕs IRB before conducting such research.
Within six (6)
months of completing their PhD comprehensive exam, and after approval by their
dissertation chair and committee (using the ÒCommittee Evaluation FormÓ cover
sheet available in the department office), students submit the dissertation
prospectus to each member of the dissertation committee. The student should
schedule a prospectus defense with the entire committee at least two weeks
after each member has been given the prospectus. During the prospectus defense,
the student will be expected to give the rationale for the project and talk in
detail about the feasibility of completing the project as planned. Each member
of the dissertation committee must approve the prospectus before the student
may proceed to the ABD phase of their graduate career. Because of the
importance of the prospectus in shaping the dissertation, students should
expect to revise the prospectus multiple times before gaining the approval of
the entire committee. The prospectus will have to be revised until the
dissertation committee gives its unanimous approval. A copy of the approved
prospectus should be filed in the studentÕs departmental file. Prospectus defenses
shall be open to other faculty in the department, although only the studentÕs
committee has a vote on whether to approve the prospectus.
Similarly, major
topic changes and/or changes to the chair of a dissertation committee will
require that the student reconvene the dissertation committee to approve the
changes and the direction of the dissertation.
Dissertation
Style
The Departmental style sheet is the Chicago Manual of Style, which can be
referenced in the Department office. OGS manuscript guidelines and required
front matter forms can be obtained from the OGS website.
Dissertation
Final Defense and Submission
A final oral examination dealing with the dissertation and its relationship to
American Studies is required.
Three weeks prior
to the defense, students should inform the department administrator of their
intention to defend, the scheduled date, time, and location, and the committee
composition. As with the comprehensive exams, OGS must receive the
ÒAnnouncement of Dissertation DefenseÓ form listing the exam committee members
and signed by the department chair at least two weeks prior to the exam. No
defense can be held unless this form is properly completed and filed.
The final defense
is public and open to all who wish to attend. Candidates should note that the
Catalog directs that a complete copy of the dissertation must be submitted to
each member of the committee at least two weeks before the final defense. The
student is also responsible for giving each committee member a copy of the
department ÒGuidelines for Dissertation DefenseÓ (available in the department
office).
In
order to graduate in a given semester, the student and department must provide
OGS, by November 15, April 15, or July 15 for fall, spring or summer
respectively, with the following:
1. Report of Examination form indicating the results of
the final oral defense
2. Information Cover Sheet Form
3. ÒReport on Thesis/DissertationÓ filled out and signed
by each committee member and signed by the Committee Chair and the Department
Chair
4. ÒCertification of Final FormÓ signed by the student,
Committee Chair, and all committee members
5. One printed copy of the red-bordered signature page,
signed by the Committee Chair and all committee members
6. Printed copy of the Red Border Title Page
7. ETD Release form signed by the student
8. Survey of Earned Doctorate Form
9. ProQuest UMI Microfilming fee
The
student should meet with an OGS representative to ensure compliance with the
electronic formatting and submission guidelines. All required forms can be
found at the OGS website, www.unm.edu/grad. A hardbound copy of
the dissertation is deposited with the department administrator. Check with the
manuscript coordinator at OGS about procedure for binding.
GRADUATION
Deadlines
A. Notification of the Intent to Graduate
Both MA and PhD students must inform the Department of their intent to complete
all degree requirements by 5:00 p.m. on the last day of the semester
immediately preceding the semester in which they
intend to graduate.
B. Report of
Exam/Thesis/Dissertation
Results of exams and reports of theses and dissertations must be submitted to
OGS on the appropriate form by November 15, April 15, or July 15 in order to
complete graduation requirements in Fall, Spring, or Summer sessions
respectively.
C. Graduation
Ceremony
Degrees are awarded three times during the year. University Convocation is held
in both December and May, and the annual Departmental Commencement takes place
in May.
Academic
Requirements for Graduation
Masters
Plan I (Thesis)
MasterÕs candidates under Plan I (thesis) complete their graduate work by
fulfilling coursework requirements and submitting an approved thesis to their
department and OGS.
Plan II
(Non-thesis)
MasterÕs candidates under Plan II (non-thesis) complete their graduate work by
fulfilling coursework requirements and successfully passing the comprehensive
examination.
Doctorate
Doctoral candidates complete their graduate work by fulfilling coursework
requirements, successfully passing the comprehensive examination, and
submitting an approved dissertation and report of dissertation defense to their
department and OGS.
TIME LIMITS
MasterÕs
Currently, OGS dictates that all work toward a masterÕs degree must be
completed within a seven (7) year period, including any transfer credit from
another institution. Those students on federal grants and loans should check
carefully with the Student Financial Aid office for their regulations on
progress toward the degree and credit hour caps.
Doctorate
A doctoral candidate will have five years for the completion of all degree
requirements from the date she/he successfully passes their comprehensive
examination. This time limit includes the oral defense and submission of final
dissertation copies to OGS. Those students on federal grants and loans should
check carefully with the Student Financial Aid office for their regulations on
progress toward the degree and credit hour caps.
Note: A student
must request an extension of this time limit in writing, the semester before
the time limit expires. The request must be supported by the department and
approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies. Extensions are not automatic;
students must demonstrate progress toward completion of degree requirements
(refer to ÒAnnual Progress ReviewÓ above and ÒLeave of Absence and ReadmissionÓ
on this page).
GRIEVANCES AND APPEALS
Should a policy grievance arise,
students should secure the judgment first of their faculty advisor, next of the
graduate advisor, and finally of the chair, who may or may not present the case
to the faculty. The Office of Graduate Studies also stands ready to assist in
questions of graduate student policies, and it is also possible to petition the
Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in exceptional instances.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE AND
READMISSION
University policy on leaves of
absence is covered in the UNM Catalog. There are two possible options for
students.
Leave of
Absence:
A student who is unable to continue his/her graduate studies due to exceptional
circumstances may request, in advance, a leave of absence. The written request,
along with a letter of support from the department chair or graduate director, will
be sent to the Graduate Dean, who will make the final decision. Leaves of
absence are granted on a semester-by-semester basis. Semesters of approved
leave of absence are not counted toward the time to complete the degree so long
as the student is not enrolled in any UNM course.
Stop Out:
The stop out is a less formal, but more limited, option than the leave of
absence. Students may notify the graduate director in writing that they intend
to Òstop outÓ for up to two consecutive semesters (summer semester counts). If
the student does not enroll for the third semester, s/he must reapply for
admission. The time spent in a Òstop outÓ does count toward the time in which a
degree must be completed.
Students are not
excused from completing any departmental or university requirements because of
leaves of absence or stop-outs.
An absence of
three or more semesters, excluding summer sessions, will result in a student
being automatically dropped from the program. A student who is admitted and
completes at least one semester of graduate studies in the Department will
receive registration materials for three subsequent semesters (including summer
sessions). An absence of more than three semesters (including summer sessions)
requires that an application form for readmission be filed with the department
at least six weeks prior to the beginning of the semester in which the student
will be returning.