Reforming Doctoral Training in the Humanities

FAIN: ZA-260717-18

Syracuse University (Syracuse, NY 13244-0001)
Glenn Wright (Project Director: November 2017 to April 2025)

The development of a university-wide initiative to systematically reform doctoral training for humanities Ph.Ds.

A systematic planning effort will lay the groundwork for a package of initiatives that will enhance support for humanities doctoral students as they explore and pursue a wide range of meaningful careers. The project directors will convene a Planning Committee comprising faculty with a variety of appointments; current students; program alumni; administrators and staff in relevant positions; and others representing professional destinations for doctoral graduates. Four Working Groups will be formed, addressing these key themes: • Curricular reform • Systematic integration of professional development and career preparation • Creation of a PhD alumni mentoring network • Development of resources to enable non-monographic dissertation projects. Each Working Group will produce a report fully describing a discrete product, service, or resource (e.g., proposed curricular innovations, a toolkit for faculty advising on nontraditional dissertation projects) to be implemented in AY 2019-20.