Application to the Fellows Program
The Center Democratic Deliberation (CDD) is pleased to announce the 2013-14 Dissertation Fellows Program, in conjunction with the College of the Liberal Arts (CLA) and the Humanities Initiative Dissertation Release program. These awards provide a one-semester release from teaching or related service and a research grant to humanities graduate students in CLA who are supported on assistantships. Awardees will have the title of CDD Dissertation Fellow.
CDD Dissertation Fellows will continue to receive their regular assistantship stipend. They will also receive a $1000 research fund provided by the CDD to use for equipment, supplies, travel, or other expenses related to the dissertation project. While the course release is for one semester, the award term is the whole academic year. Under the sponsorship of the CDD, Dissertation Fellows will have access to office space for the academic year in 210 Sparks. They also will participate in a faculty-led Dissertation Writing Group and present their research at a public colloquium during the spring semester. CDD Fellows are expected to remain in residence at University Park during the period of the Dissertation Fellows Program and to participate in the activities of the Center.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for a CDD Dissertation Fellows Program, applicants must meet the following Humanities Initiative Dissertation Release criteria:
1) Students must be enrolled in a CLA department or program, conducting scholarship that reflects the CDD's concern with civic life and the character and quality of public discourse.
2) Students must be ABD and supported on assistantship during the CDD Dissertation Fellows Program (Fall 2013 and Spring 2014).
3) Students must receive a full one-term release from teaching and other duties from their home department/program so they can devote themselves full time to the dissertation while in residence at University Park. (With permission of their Graduate Director, they may travel to participate in scholarly research or meetings.)
4) Students may not hold any other academic appointment during the CDD Dissertation Fellows Program.
Application Procedures:
Applications are processed through the Office of the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies in the College of the Liberal Arts and should include:
- A completed Information Summary Forum (available on the CLA website).
- Verification in the form of a memo from your director of graduate studies indicating eligibility for the Humanities Initiative Dissertation Release in the 2013-14 academic year
- A curriculum vitae (no more than three pages)
- A cover letter that includes:
- interest in a Fall 2012 or Spring 2013 release
- a brief description of the dissertation project and its connection with the mission of the CDD
- information on the status of the dissertation proposal
- a timetable for completing the dissertation
- interest in participating in the activities of the center/institute while engaged as a Fellow
Applicants should send one copy of their applications materials, either pdf or hard copy, to Janet Sacona at jlw934@psu.edu or 105 Sparks Building (phone: 814-865-1439). The deadline for receipt of applications is Monday April 1, 2013 at 5pm.
For further information, contact:
Debra Hawhee (dhw112@psu.edu) or J. Michael Hogan (jmh32@psu.edu).
