The WizardProgram for Students Pursuing Graduate Studies in History with Professor Tom Isern, North Dakota State University
What Can You Expect of Me?There are three things you should expect of me, the first of which is guidance toward satisfying degree requirements. I'll explain to you how the program works, help you set goals and schedules, cajole and nag you, check on your progress, and in general, try to get you through this thing.Second, I'll try to teach you what I know about History and the profession. I don't claim to know everything about anything, but I know enough about research, writing, teaching, public service, and the folkways of the profession to teach you a lot. Third, I'll look out for your best interests. I'll steer you clear of difficult situations in the department and the university, point out professional opportunities, look for financial or other assistance for you, encourage you to build a good record, and help you along toward employment or further education. What Do I Expect of You?In general, I expect three things, the first of which is scholarship. Scholarship, I am convinced, can be produced only by the amateur--that term defined according to its Latin root. If you're going to work with me, you have to have a passion for History. The passion for History is what propels your research to the frontier of knowledge and elevates your writing to elegance of expression.The second thing I expect is professionalism. You have to have respect for History and for the academy. I expect you to progress through the program, do creditable work, and compile accomplishments on your curriculum vitae. I expect you to do what needs doing even when it is inconvenient and wearisome. You should absorb the customs, standards, and ethics of the profession and take your place in it. The third thing I expect is citizenship. We all work for North Dakota State University and for the people of North Dakota. We do what we can, therefore, to build community in the university, to add lustre to its name, and to respond to calls for public service. This includes, for instance, attending educational and cultural events sponsored by the department or by the university. CurriculumOn the master's level, I discourage students under my advisement from pursuing the non-thesis option. To me the thesis is the defining parameter of the master's degree. So the outline of coursework recommended here is based on the assumption of a degree with thesis.I encourage master's students in History to pursue the MA, a somewhat more prestigous degree, rather than the MS. The only difference between the two at NDSU is the foreign language requirement for the MA. (It's best if the language requirement is completed during the baccalaureate program, in fact.)
Written CompsOn the master's level, the department requires written comprehensive examinations in the major field of study. The supervising professor (me) is the composer and first reader of the comps. Another committee member serves as second reader.On the PhD level, the department requires written comps in the major field and in two minor fields. The supervising professor (me) is the composer and first reader of comps in the major field. Another committee member serves as second reader. Comps for my master's students comprise up to twenty books on which we agree in advance; for the PhD the list of titles will be a bit longer. In general, however, I emphasize depth, comprehension, and analysis more than length of bibliography. As you pursue your course work, it's a good idea to read and write about as many of these books as you can parcel to course requirements. When we get together to discuss your progress in the program, we should talk about these books, relating them to one another and to the body of literature in the field. If you intend to be examined in my regional specialty, the History of the Great Plains, then The Big 12 (Great Plains) is the starting point in reading for comps. To this list of classics we add other, more current works along with key works fundamental to your research. Likewise, if you intend to be examined in my topical speciality, Agricultural History, then we will work from a base list of twelve works and add to it.
I expect you to keep a formal bibliography of works read for comps, with links from the bib to your notes and writings on the works. Here's a template (Word doc) for the bib. The Master's ThesisI have some specific and proven advice about planning and completing your master's thesis, so take a look at these documents.
Your thesis committee should comprise:
The PhD CommitteeComposition of the PhD committee is done under rather specific guidelines imposed by the joint PhD governing committee for NDSU and UND. The guidelines, in fact, call for two committees, one for comps and another for the dissertation. I adjudge this proposition impractical and instead seek to structure one PhD committee to see the student through from beginning to end. The committee comprises:
The PhD DissertationGuidelines and documents for the dissertation are in preparation.
WikisThe following, private wikis are intended to provide behind-the-scenes operating information for graduate students and particularly graduate assistants working with and for me. Since they are private, only members (graduate students that I invite) can view and write to them.
ProfilesCompletion of the formal requirements of the graduate degree is basic, of course. We will attend to these things assiduously. In the end, though, there is much more to being a historian than the completion of formal requirements. There is the matter of becoming a historian. To some extent this is ineffable, it cannot be taught--it has to do with that passion for History of which I wrote above. Assuming the right stuff, however, there is still much to teach and learn about becoming a historian; personally, I never expect to complete the process.For two reasons, however, as you complete your graduate degree, I will work with you to achieve certain benchmarks in the process. These are things that transcend the formal curriculum. The first reason for doing this is, it will help your prospects for professional employment and advancement. If you possess the qualifications embedded in these benchmarks, and if we make it known that you do, then you will stand better in the field. The second reason is, I take the profession seriously. Credentialing professionals in History is an important responsibility. Take a look at the profiles linked below. I will help and guide you toward achieving the benchmarks they outline.
Breaking into the ProfessionThis is a place for posting advice and guidelines on how to get started in the profession while a graduate student at NDSU. Alumni
|