There is only required course, ANTH 2501: Principles of Archaeology, which is taken in the Fall of Year 1. Otherwise, students take elective courses during Years 1, 2, and 3 of the Ph.D. program.

The GS stipulates that students must be enrolled in four courses in each of their first 6 semesters, with TAing or Proctoring counting as one of those courses in the semesters of Years 2 and 3. Thus, students in Year 1 will be enrolled in four courses each semester, while those in Years 2 and 3 will be enrolled in three courses each semester.

Starting in Spring of Year 1, students will also be enrolled in a minimum of 1.0 credits of independent study courses each semester as part of satisfying their required Field and Preliminary Exams.

The remaining course credits each semester should be devoted to elective courses, generally seminars taken with the ARCH prefix or from closely related disciplines. Courses used to complete the Modern and Ancient language requirements also count towards the elective course requirement.

Students must be able to read at least two foreign languages other than the English language. In one of those foreign languages, students must also be able to demonstrate conversational competence. Students whose native language is not English will have the requirement for conversational and written competence in one language waived as long as that native language is relevant for their dissertation research, based on the approval of students’ Advisors and the DGS.

One of the main purposes of this requirement is to ensure that students are conversant with academic traditions and communities in the places where they work, and have the ability to speak with community members and collaborators in research locations and fieldwork sites in which English is NOT the main language of communication. A related purpose is to have students understand the history of research in the region where they work. Any language now or at one time spoken in the Mediterranean and neighboring regions (e.g., Persian or Kurdish) is, in principle, valid for examination, but students are expected to be competent in those languages currently spoken in the regions where they conduct fieldwork. Similarly, students should aim to gain reading competence in languages that are directly relevant to their research.

Students should select the appropriate modern languages in their first semester in the program, in consultation with their Advisors and the DGS.

Reading competence in at least two modern languages will be gauged with an exam that has both written and oral components. Conversational competence will be assessed for at least one modern foreign language for which a student has already passed the written and oral exams for reading competence. Conversational competence means that students should be able to participate effectively in conversations on practical, social, and professional topics. Students’ conversational competence in a modern foreign language will be assessed by oral exam. This component of the exam will consist of a 20-25-minute conversation with an examiner conducted entirely in the target language. Students are expected to have acquired conversational competence in one of their two required modern foreign languages by the end of Year 3. 

Students who are not on fellowship will hold a teaching position or proctorship every semester. Usually fellowship years are the first and fourth year.

AAW Ph.D. students must serve as a Teaching Assistant for at least two semesters as part of the requirements for the degree. 

Field Exams are taken during the Spring semester of Year 1 and the Fall Semester of Year 2 to build and demonstrate competency in the student’s primary cultural area of interest, a secondary cultural area, and archaeological theory and historiography. Field Exams are selected from the following areas and are taken with a faculty person who is qualified to administer a Field Exam in that topic: 

• Mediterranean Prehistory
• Egyptian Archaeology
• Near Eastern Archaeology
• Roman Archaeology
• Theory and Historiography in Archaeology. 

The Primary Field Exam and Secondary Field Exam topics should be set by the student in consultation with their Advisor and the DGS no later than the first day of Reading Period in the Fall semester of the student's first year.

All Field Exams include an Essay Component. At the start of the semester, in preparation for the Essay Component, students will be presented with a reading list appropriate to the topic. The reading list is set by the instructor and all students taking that particular Field Exams are expected to follow the same reading list, which is subject to revision each year. 

With the exception of the Theory and Historiography Secondary Field Exam, all Field Exams include an Image Component. For those exams, in addition to the reading list, instructors will also provide the students a list of books from which images will be drawn for the Image Component of the Field Exam. In some instances, the exact photograph from the books will be used on the exam, in other cases a different image of the same places/monuments/objects featured in the books will be used for the exam.

Primary Field Exam

The intent of the Primary Field Exam is to demonstrate competency in foundational knowledge of the student’s primary field. The Primary Field Exam consists of three parts: Syllabus Component, Essay Component, and an Image Component. For the Syllabus Component, students will prepare a course syllabus for a class on a subject within the Field that reflects their particular interest as outlined below. The Syllabus Component must be completed by the first day after Spring Break. The Essay and Image Components must be completed by the last day of the Reading Period.

Secondary Field Exams

The intent of the Secondary Field Exams is to demonstrate breadth in Mediterranean Archaeology. The Secondary Field Exams consist of two parts: the Essay and Image Components (Essay Component only for the Theory and Historiography Field Exam).

Both Secondary Field Exams are completed in the Fall of Year 2, by the last day of the Reading Period.

Students complete three Preliminary Exam (PE) Essays that are intended to develop the dissertation topic. The PE Essays serve as the basis for the Oral PE. As such, the deadline for the final versions of all three essays precedes the scheduled date for the Oral PE. The PE is overseen and evaluated by the Dissertation Committee (DC).

The areas covered respectively in each PE Essay are: Theory, Method, and Case Study/Original Research. The Theory PE and Method PE Essays are prepared in Spring of Year 2 and the Fall of Year 3; the order is interchangeable. The Case Study/Original Research PE Essay must be completed in Spring of Year 3. Beginning in Spring of Year 2, students register for ARCH 2970 Preliminary Exam Preparation (1.0 credit) each semester with their Advisor or an appropriate member of the DC.

The Dissertation Prospectus (DP) explicitly states the research questions to be investigated by the dissertation project, the theoretical and cultural historical background to those questions, the methods and types of evidence used, and the schedule followed to answer those questions. Students typically begin work on the Dissertation Prospectus in the Fall of Year 3 while working in earnest to finalize the DP by the end of Spring semester of Year 3. Approval of the DP takes place following the DP Defense, which is conducted concurrently with the Oral Preliminary Exam. The deadline for committee approval of the DP is the same as that for the Oral Preliminary Exam, which should be held no later than the final day of Reading Period for the Spring Semester.

While the exact format of the DP is determined by the student in collaboration with their Advisor, it must include a narrative or project description no longer than 20 pages double-spaced (excluding bibliography). The narrative should describe the project’s theoretical focus and research objectives, placing both within the context of relevant scholarly literature. It should also describe the evidence to be used, whether derived from the field, laboratory, or archive/library, the student’s preparation for research, the research methods that will be employed, and the research schedule or timeline – all of which should be related clearly to the overall research objectives. The DP should also contain a statement about the projected academic significance of the project. The bibliography should include 50-100 sources, many of these may duplicate those found in the written PE statements. A budget specifying and justifying the project’s costs is included as well, and should cover such items as transportation expenses, housing, and other maintenance costs while in the field, as well as computers and other research equipment.

A student is admitted to candidacy for the Ph.D. when they have completed an acceptable DP, passed the PE, and satisfied all other requirements as specified by the JIAAW and Graduate School Handbooks, with the sole exception of the dissertation and its defense. It is expected that students will reach candidacy by the end of their Spring Semester of Year 3 in the program.

Upon reaching candidacy, the student may begin work on the dissertation.

Dissertations are based on original, extended research in a field site, museum, laboratory, and/or archive, or may involve re-interpretation of pre-existing data.

Writing a dissertation requires close consultation between the student and their committee. The procedures by which this consultation takes place are determined ahead of time by the entire committee and the student. For some, the first draft of the dissertation will be submitted chapter by chapter to the chair of the committee (i.e., Advisor) for initial revisions, and only later submitted as a completed first draft to the rest of the committee members. For others, all committee members will simultaneously review individual chapters as they are completed. Students and their committees may come to additional arrangements. However, in all cases, the dissertation writing process is one that requires multiple rounds of the exchange of ideas between students and the committee members. Students should thus anticipate the need for multiple revisions on their written work.

At the defense, students generally make a short presentation of their dissertation findings, then respond to questions from the general public, followed by a longer period of questioning by the committee members, which is not open to the public. The student and Advisor should discuss procedures for the defense prior to the defense.

The defense presentation is public: all members of the JIAAW are invited to attend.

Fieldwork and museum or other collections-based experience are important parts of training in archaeology. They are not formal requirements of the PhD program at the Joukowsky Institute. In practice nearly all graduate students both come in with fieldwork experience and continue to work, usually on multiple projects, in the field while students at Brown; museum experience is also common. Fieldwork and museum work are encouraged unless it is felt that participation in such projects is contributing to inadequate quality of work or progress in meeting program requirements.

Participation in events at the Institute is not a formal requirement of the program, but is generally expected of all members of the community. We regularly hold both academic and social events. You should make every reasonable effort to attend events; we all benefit from the vibrancy of our community and that requires work from all of us. Professionalization events, which are held specifically for graduate students, should be attended unless you have a specific scheduling conflict.

Fall

• Prior to the first day of classes (September 4, 2024), the DGS will confer with JIAAW faculty to assign incoming students an Advisor based on research overlap. If both parties agree, students may be assigned an Advisor who is on leave.
• ANTH 2501: Principles of Archaeology.
• Three other course electives (one possibly fulfilling the Ancient Language requirement).
• Set topics of Primary Field Exam and Secondary Field Exams no later than December 12, 2024 (the last day of the Reading Period).
• Work on languages as needed.

Spring

• Submit signed Graduate Student Contract (GSC) to the DGS and Operations and Events Coordinator no later than January 22, 2025 (the first day of the Spring semester).
• Three elective courses (one possibly fulfilling the Ancient Language requirement).
• Primary Field Exam taken as a 1.0 credit course with the Advisor. The syllabus component is due March 31, 2025 (the day classes resume after Spring Break, whichever comes first). The written and image exam components of the Primary Field Exam are to be completed no later than May 6, 2025 (last day of the Reading Period).
• Work on languages as needed.

Summer

• Engage in field and/or laboratory research to begin defining the dissertation project.
• Work on languages as needed. Ideally, one language requirement will be complete by the end of Summer of Year 1.

Fall

• Two elective courses (one possibly fulfilling the Ancient Language requirement).
• Two Secondary Field Exams, each taken as a 0.5 credit course with the appropriate instructor based on the exam topics selected. One Secondary Field Exam must be Theory. Both Secondary Field exams must be completed no later than the last day of Reading Period.
• TA or Proctor.
• Work on languages as needed.

Spring

• Submit updated and signed GSC to the DGS and Operations and Events Coordinator no later than the first day of the Spring semester.
• Two elective courses (one possibly fulfilling the Ancient Language requirement).
• Write a draft of one of the Preliminary Exam statements, taken as a 1.0 credit Preliminary Exam independent study course.
• TA or Proctor.
• Work on languages as needed.

Summer

• Engage in field, laboratory, or archival/library research that will serve as a pilot project related to the dissertation project.
• Work on languages as needed. Ideally, a second language requirement will be complete by the end of Summer of Year 2.
• Begin work on the Dissertation Prospectus.

Fall

• Two elective courses (one possibly fulfilling the Ancient Language requirement). Students planning to take ANTH 2045: Proposal Writing Workshop for Anthropological Fieldwork should take that course in this semester.
• Write a draft of the second Preliminary Exam statement, taken as a 1.0 credit Preliminary Exam independent study course.
• Submit external dissertation grant proposals (generally, late Fall or early Spring, see specific program deadlines).
• Work on languages as needed.
• TA or Proctor.

Spring

• Submit updated and signed GSC to the DGS and Operations and Events Coordinator no later than the first day of the Spring semester.
• Two elective courses (possibly fulfilling Ancient Language requirement). Students planning to take ANTH 2045: Proposal Writing Workshop for Anthropological Fieldwork should take that course in the Spring semester of Year 3.
• Write a draft of the final Preliminary Exam statement, taken as a 1.0 credit Preliminary Exam independent study course.
• Provide complete drafts of all three Preliminary Exam Statements and the Dissertation Prospectus by the Friday before Spring Break.
• Deadline to schedule dates for the Oral Preliminary Examination and Dissertation Prospectus Defense — which are held concurrently — is March 1, 2025 (the deadline is always March 1). The Oral Preliminary Examination/Dissertation Prospectus Defense can be convened no later than the last day of the Reading Period.
• Work on languages as needed. All language requirements must be completed by the end of this semester, no later than the last day of Final Exam period.
• TA or Proctor.

Summer

• Prepare for or engage in dissertation research.
• Revise dissertation research grant applications as needed.

Fall, Spring, and Summer

• Register for the section of ARCH 2983: Dissertation Research, which is taught by the Advisor and requires their override to register.
• Conduct dissertation research (generally off campus). The GS’s Dissertation Fellowship is generally taken during this year.
• Submit signed Graduate Student Contract (GSC) to the DGS and Operations and Events Coordinator no later than January 22, 2025 (the first day of the Spring semester).
• Maintain regular contact with the Dissertation Committee.
• Resubmit dissertation research grant applications (generally, late fall or early Spring, but see specific program deadlines).
• Apply for dissertation write-up fellowships (generally, late fall or early Spring, but see specific program deadlines).

Fall

• Register for the section of ARCH 2983: Dissertation Research, which is taught by the Advisor and requires their override to register.
• Finalize dissertation research and begin dissertation writing. Unless external funding has been obtained, students are generally on campus this semester.
• Brown Bag presentation in either the Fall or Spring (required). Timing should be arranged with the Operations and Events Coordinator, after consultation with the student’s Advisor and the DGS.
• TA or Proctor.

Spring

• Register for the section of ARCH 2983: Dissertation Research, which is taught by the Advisor and requires their override to register.
• Submit updated and signed GSC with Advisor no later than the first day of the Spring semester.
• Dissertation writing. Unless external funding has been obtained, students are generally on campus this semester.
• Brown bag presentation in either the Fall or Spring (required). Timing should be arranged with the Operations and Events Coordinator, after consultation with the Advisor and the DGS.
• TA or Proctor.

Summer

Students usually do not do fieldwork in the summer of Year 5, rather staying on campus to focus on their dissertations. However, additional field, laboratory and/or archival/library work might be undertaken as needed and with the advisor’s approval.

Fall

• Register for the section of ARCH 2983: Dissertation Research, which is taught by the Advisor and requires their override to register.
• Dissertation writing. Unless external funding had been obtained, students are generally on campus this semester.
• Outside Dissertation Committee members must be added no later than the first day of the Fall semester.
• TA or Proctor.

Spring

• Register for the section of ARCH 2983: Dissertation Research, which is taught by the Advisor and requires their override to register.
• Update and sign contract with Advisor no later than the first day of the Spring semester.
• Dissertation revision. Unless external funding has been obtained, students are generally on campus this semester.
• TA, Teaching Fellow, or Proctor.
• A final, complete draft of the dissertation is due by the start of the Spring semester for students planning to receive their degree in May.
• The Ph.D. committee must decide by one month after the submission of the initial draft of the dissertation by the student to the committee whether the draft with foreseen revisions will be defensible. Following this decision, students should work with their committee members and the Operations and Events Coordinator to set a Dissertation Defense date, and students should submit the required Defense paperwork to the GS.
• Students who will not graduate in May have until March 1 (deadline is set by the GS) to submit a Dissertation Extension Proposal (DEP) to the GS, letting both the DGS and Institute staff know of their plan.
• The Dissertation Defense must be held no later than April 24 (one week before the deadline to submit dissertation to the Graduate School). A complete Defense Draft of the dissertation must be submitted to the full Committee no later than one month prior to the Defense date.
• The final dissertation must be submitted to the GS no later than May 1 (fixed deadline) in order to receive the Ph.D. in May.
• Commencement falls on the Sunday before Memorial Day.

Students planning to receive the degree in October or February should consult the DGS and Operations and Events Coordinator well ahead of time to identify deadlines.