The European Union is doing more than simply developing a common currency. Another project is developing coherence and consistency across doctoral programs. Central to this is the desire to create mutual trust and close collaborations across national and institutional boundaries even as there is a collective understanding about high quality standards and the conditions for doctoral education.
One issue is that doctoral candidates in many European countries are treated as employees with salary and benefits; funding streams to maintain this practice are becoming a difficulty. A second issue is the scope and sequence of experiences that culminate with the granting of a doctoral degree; there is considerable inconsistency in coursework and research training. Finally, and most pertinently, is the push for a departure from the apprenticeship model of doctoral preparation. The traditional model of supervision is viewed as something that needs to be phase out.
According to an article by Alexandra Bitušíková the supervisor of German doctoral candidates is solely in control of the experiences and progress of those who labor under him. Not only does this sound very paternalistic, but the translation of this title is "Doctor Father." And the imeptus for this entire blog entry is the formal label for someone in this role: Doktorvater. Yes, it really is. There is even a Wikipedia entry about this which means it MUST be true.
As one would expect, to be a Doktorvater is a prestigious role. One might also have a female supervisor but presumably these women mumble when they speak: they are called Doktormutters. Try as I might I could not l was unable to locate an image of Darth Vader wearing a mortarboard -- and I don't have the skills to create one myself. I also failed to find a mash-up in which Darth's theme was blended with "Pomp and Circumstance." If I
was still in the business of spoof entertainment then I might try to commission such a composition. Instead, the imagery of a dissertation defense with Chewbacca and Darth Maul and Princess Leia as committee members is enough to give me a chuckle.
One issue is that doctoral candidates in many European countries are treated as employees with salary and benefits; funding streams to maintain this practice are becoming a difficulty. A second issue is the scope and sequence of experiences that culminate with the granting of a doctoral degree; there is considerable inconsistency in coursework and research training. Finally, and most pertinently, is the push for a departure from the apprenticeship model of doctoral preparation. The traditional model of supervision is viewed as something that needs to be phase out.
According to an article by Alexandra Bitušíková the supervisor of German doctoral candidates is solely in control of the experiences and progress of those who labor under him. Not only does this sound very paternalistic, but the translation of this title is "Doctor Father." And the imeptus for this entire blog entry is the formal label for someone in this role: Doktorvater. Yes, it really is. There is even a Wikipedia entry about this which means it MUST be true.
As one would expect, to be a Doktorvater is a prestigious role. One might also have a female supervisor but presumably these women mumble when they speak: they are called Doktormutters. Try as I might I could not l was unable to locate an image of Darth Vader wearing a mortarboard -- and I don't have the skills to create one myself. I also failed to find a mash-up in which Darth's theme was blended with "Pomp and Circumstance." If I
was still in the business of spoof entertainment then I might try to commission such a composition. Instead, the imagery of a dissertation defense with Chewbacca and Darth Maul and Princess Leia as committee members is enough to give me a chuckle.
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