The Indigenous Studies PhD Program has three streams: Monograph Dissertation, Knowledge Basket Path A Research-Creation and Knowledge Basket Path B Scholar-Practitioner.
Knowledge Basket Path A Research-Creation
Path A for the Dissertation Knowledge Basket is a project-based option. Candidates will conduct original research and disseminate the findings of that research within a creative component and a written component (20,000-30,000 words). Components should be as balanced as possible in their reflection of the overall dissertation with no more than 70% of the basket emphasis falling on the creative component and no less than 30% falling on the written component. The final component of Path A is a Round Table wherein the candidate presents the overall Dissertation Knowledge Basket to the examining committee and engages in critical dialogue regarding the overall project. Depending on the nature of the creative component, a public presentation may be required prior to the defense.
Completion of 6.0 credits including: 6600Y, 6603H, 6700Y, 6701Y, 6715H, 6720H, 6740H, 6825Y
Knowledge Basket Path B Scholar-Practitioner
Path B: is designed for students who carry a specific Indigenous practice and would like to apprentice with an Elder or Knowledge Holder as a component of a practice based research project within the field of Indigenous Knowledges: Peoples, Lands, Cultures. To qualify for this path, students must have a minimum of seven years prior experience with said Indigenous practice. As a scholar practitioner, students will demonstrate candidate mastery of an Indigenous practice (under the direction of an approved Elder or Knowledge Holder) as well as disseminate the findings of their practice-based original research through a Creative component (accompanied by support documentation).
Completion of 6.0 credits including: 6600Y, 6603H, 6700Y, 6701Y, 6715H, 6720H, 6740H, 6825Y
Creative Component (both pathways)
A creative component reflects the act of creating something that has practical applicability. It should reflect the research process under-taken as well as the findings from that research. The creative component can be:
- • A creative piece (graphic novel, fictional novel, film, play/performance, painting, visual arts, pottery, sculpture, quilts, etc.) under the guidance of an Elder, Knowledge Holder, or other Expert in that practice),
- • Product or tool (educational, environmental, etc.),
- • Architectural design
- • Website or online/web-based platform, etc.
These suggestions are not exclusive, other options are possible if determined appropriate for the student/ committee/project. The nature and scope of this component should reflect the student’s level of knowledge, skills, and capacity to carry out the work required to complete the project. It must also consider the availability and willingness of an expert in the specific area of the project to serve on the committee. The proposed creative piece must also be appropriate in effort and scope for inclusion in a PhD Knowledge Basket. Upon completion of the creative component, it is distributed (or presented) to the community of practice, the supervisory committee, and external examiners.
Note that students are responsible for any fees associated with all apprenticeships or training that might be required to undertake the work involved in producing the creative component.
Written Component
Pathway A: The written component is meant to situate the creative component and the students overall research project. The written component does not have to follow a monograph format exclusively but should address the students positionally, the research undertaken, community of practice and teachers related to the creative component, findings of the research, who benefits from the project and how it contributes to humanity and human experience. The written component can be made up of one or more written pieces equaling 20,000-30,000 words. The written component should be completed within one term of completing the creative component. Both components are reviewed by an examining committee and discussed collectively at a Round Table by the candidate and the examining committee.
Pathway B: Support Documentation: Support documentation for Pathway B can be produced in written form or through the creation of a Voicethread Presentation. Written documentation should be 25-30 pages in length and be in any format that is best suited to the overall project. It can be one document or a combination of written documentation that serves the purposes of the project and the intended audience (s). Voicethread presentations should be 8-10 professional slides with accompanying audio or video commentary. The overall commentary for the presentation should be kept to under 30 minutes. Support documentation must be completed within one term of completing the creative component. Both components are reviewed by an examining committee and discussed collectively at a Round Table by the candidate and the examining committee.
Note: Depending on the nature of the IK practice, there is the possibility of combining the Creative Component with the apprenticeship (i.e. Basket making, beading, quillwork, etc.) Combining the apprenticeship and creative component must be approved in advance by the Elder or Knowledge Holder, the supervisory committee, Director of Studies, and the Program Director.
Dissertation Examination Process
The Dissertation Knowledge Basket will be examined collectively by the examining committee as an integrated and interrelated whole constituting the dissertation for this option within the PhD Program in Indigenous Studies (Pathways A & B). An external and internal examiner, appointed by Graduate Studies will review the overall Dissertation Knowledge Basket and provide a report to the PhD Program within one month of receiving it. Depending upon the nature of the project, it may be necessary to have two external examiners: one with expertise in the format area of the Creative Component and one with expertise in the research area of the candidate. Upon receipt of reports by the external examiners, the program director will notify the supervisory committee of the decision of the examiners. Once the decision is reached to move forward to the defense stage a date will be set by the program for a Round Table.
Round Table
The Round Table serves as the defense and final component of the knowledge basket dissertation. The program will organize a round table within one month of receiving the external examiner reports. The Round Table will provide an opportunity for the candidate to discuss the dissertation knowledge basket in its entirety. After the presentation, the examining committee will engage with the candidate about each component and provide guidance, support, and specific feedback for any revisions that are required. The examining committee will then meet in camera to discuss what was shared by the candidate (both components as well as the presentation) and make one of the following decisions:
– Pass with No Revisions
– Pass with Minor Revisions
– Not a Pass but the Candidate can Resubmit
– Not a Pass
At the conclusion of the Round Table the candidate will be provided with a reasonable amount of time to make the necessary changes required as part of defense process. Once the required changes are made and the external examiners (or the supervisor if appointed to do so by the examining committee) have signed off then the candidate will be considered to have completed the defense stage of the program.