Students are expected to become thoroughly familiar with the regulations of the Department and of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, as given in the Faculty of Graduate Studies Calendar.
The Department expects students to take the initiative in seeing that these regulations are followed and in making sure that all deadlines are met. Graduate students must maintain a grade point average of at least 3.3 (B+).
An interim advisor will be assigned to each student on entry. The interim advisor shall observe departmental recommendations pertaining to the student, shall help to plan the student's program, and shall oversee his or her general academic welfare.
Advisors will schedule an evaluation within the first week of the student's initial registration in program. The evaluation committee shall consist of the student's advisor, and at least two other faculty members. The evaluation is not a pass-fail affair. It provides an opportunity for assessing a student's background and ability in order to give the student advice on the program to be followed. As a result of the evaluation, students may be required to take courses in addition to those specified in the University Calendar.
The advisor shall ensure that, wherever possible, first year students receive instruction from at least three different members of staff.
No later than 8 months after the first registration, the student shall select a supervisor, who will replace the interim advisor.
Gaining Teaching Experience
In addition to serving as teaching assistants opportunities exist for senior graduate students to teach non-credit courses offered by the Faculty of Continuing Education, conditional upon the approval of the Department Head.
MA PROGRAM
Preferably before the end of the second semester of registration, but in any case within 14 months of entering the program, the student, with the supervisor's advice, will develop a research proposal. The proposal shall be transmitted to the Graduate Coordinator for approval and placed on file.
Although Faculty of Graduate Studies regulations allow four years for the completion of the MA, the department and the faculty expect faster progress. Students' progress in the context of their individual programs of course work and research is closely monitored, and is the basis for the award of those units of support that are under departmental control. No student should expect to receive such funding in the third or fourth year of an MA program.
The submission and defence of the thesis shall follow the regulations of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
PHD PROGRAM
Supervisory Committee
The student shall select a supervisor no later than eight months after first registration, and the student and the supervisor will jointly select two other members of faculty to form the supervisory committee. These selections and any subsequent changes must have the approval of the Head of Department and the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.
Study Plan and Time in Program
Following the evaluation, which is taken upon entering the program, the advisor and the student, together with other staff members if their advice is required, shall meet and agree on an overall study plan that will indicate how and when program requirements are to be met. This will serve as a guide for both the Department and the student during progress through the program.
The sequence and number of courses and the fieldwork to be undertaken should be selected according to the student's background, needs and objectives. The student and supervisor should meet at least once each year to review the study plan. A copy of the plan, together with any subsequent modifications, shall be kept on file in the departmental office.
Although Faculty of Graduate Studies regulations allow six years for the completion of the PhD, the department expects faster progress. Students' progress in the context of their individual programs of course work and research is closely monitored, and is the basis for the award of those units of support that are under departmental control. No student should expect to receive such funding in the fifth and sixth years of a PhD program.
Research Proposal
Within 20 months of entering the program, the student, with the supervisor's advice, will develop a thesis research proposal. Once this has been approved by the supervisory committee it is transmitted to the Graduate Coordinator for approval and is placed on file.
Preparation for the Oral Candidacy Exam
Except in the case of students who have transferred from the MA program, the oral candidacy examination must be taken no later than 28 months after first registration. Students who have transferred have a 36 month limit. It should be emphasized that these are maximum time limits; students are encouraged to take the candidacy examination during their second year of residence. The following paragraphs describe requirements that must be met before attempting the oral candidacy exam.
Fields of Special Interest
Within 14 months of entering the program, each student shall select three fields of special interest. The fields must be approved by the supervisory committee and will constitute the main focus of examination during the oral candidacy exam, although the examiners will test breadth of knowledge and ask questions outside these bounds. The choice of fields should be suited to the student's dissertation topic and future professional plans. As a general guideline, students should select topics of sufficient scope to be suitable as subjects of a senior undergraduate course (e.g. Archaeology of North America, Human Evolution, Environmental Archaeology, Archaeological Theory, Ethno-archaeology, the Archaeology of Complex Societies, Historical Linguistics).
Special Skills
i) Language Requirement:
The student, unless specifically exempted from this requirement, must demonstrate proficiency in a language in addition to English to the satisfaction of the supervisory committee. The language should be directly relevant to the student's area of interest or research. A language examination in a format specified by the supervisory committee is normally required as proof of proficiency.
ii) Quantitative Methods:
The student, unless specifically exempted from this requirement, shall be required to demonstrate an understanding of quantitative methods. This may be fulfilled either by passing a special examination or by completing an approved course with a grade of B or better.
iii) Other skills:
The student may be required to demonstrate to the supervisory committee's satisfaction a proficiency in other special skills (e.g. computer applications, microscopy) directly relevant to the student's area of interest or research.
Research Paper
Before the candidacy exam, the student is required to submit for the approval of the supervisory committee a paper that demonstrates the ability to conceive, carry out and write up research at a professional level. This paper should be the product of an independent research effort, but may be developed from one previously used to fulfil a course requirement. If the student has previously published a paper that satisfies the conditions specified above, the Department may accept this in lieu. Grades for this paper shall be pass, fail or rewrite. The supervisory committee may consult with other members of the staff in reaching a decision, which shall be transmitted in writing, together with a copy of the paper, to the Head of Department.
Oral Candidacy, Thesis and Thesis Defence
Regulations regarding the oral candidacy, the thesis and the thesis defence are specified in the University Calendar.
At the oral candidacy exam, in addition to showing special competence in his or her fields of interest, each student will be expected to demonstrate a sound background in world archaeology and a good knowledge of theory and method. This implies a general but critical understanding of the concepts, data bases and contributions of related disciplines. The range and depth of knowledge to be attained in these various areas will vary from student to student; however ethnology and physical anthropology are regarded as especially important. Mutual expectations in this respect should be worked out between the student and the supervisory committee well in advance of the examination.
The department requires that theses follow American Antiquity or a similar format specifically approved by the Department. The bibliographic format of the American Philosophical Association, available on Pro-Cite, has been approved.