Dear Terry,
What a wonderful post! So full of the subtle issues of this level of
education. How could I disagree with you--I can't.
What may be helpful, however, is for us to begin talking about concrete
cases--projects, problems, and strategies for inquiry. Hence, my post
on a design project and a research project--just sent, before reading
your fine note.
Personally, I enjoy the heavy topics discussed by the group recently and
I believe I understand how they fit into the broader goals of doctoral
inquiry. But it is also good to show how our feet come down to earth in
the reality of designing from time to time.
It may also be useful to note that doctoral education is not a single
phase of development. For me, there are three distinct phases in
preparing a doctoral student.
One is the preliminary phase, equivalent to the Master's level of
study--mastery of design practice and the discipline of reflecting on
design in the literature.
Next is the comprehensive phase, where a student focused on an area of
their own definition and gains a degree of "comprehensive" understanding
of the literature and the issues and the relevant arts and methods. In
effect, the student uses the outcome of the first phase to go into depth
in their selected area of investigation.
Finally, the dissertation phase, where all of the earlier work comes to
use in an inquiry into a significant problem in the world. Depending on
the problem set by the student, it may be valuable to do field work, to
work on a design project, or sit on the grass and think very carefully
about the problem and how it may be solved by a written dissertation.
In effect, the student uses the outcome of the first and second phases
in order to do the work of the final phase.
I think we benefit from distinguishing the phases of doctoral study,
understanding what each phase contributes to the long-term goal of
inquiry.
Thanks for your post and the insights it offers. I hope my note simply
plays out some of the ideas you have broached for us.
I think I am beginning to wonder what doctoral students around the world
are doing in their own work. It would be fascinating to hear more from
them.
Best wishes,
Dick
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