The basic training

The basic training of the N.W. Posthumus Institute entitles the PhD student to the N.W. Posthumus diploma, if the PhD student has met the following requirements:

• He/she submitted a study plan at the beginning and brought it up to date before the first yea’s appraisal
• He/she participated actively in the three seminars of the basic training program
• He/she has written and presented the required papers for these seminars

• He/she has been present at the first year’s evaluation and supplied the required information

Seminar 1: The Posthumus Research Colloquium: my project in a nutshell
The new cohort PhD students get to know each other and their projects during the Research Colloqium, a seminar lasting one or two days. In addition to PhD students who recently embarked upon their project, the seminar can also be attended by Research Master’s students who are close to writing a PhD proposal or application of funds. The seminar provides a forum to present initial ideas and get feedback from both other starting researchers and two senior Posthumus fellows. Prior to the meeting every participant writes a short research note about the historiographical background and the substance of his/her project. The aim is to position the project in the academic debate. Research Master’s students can describe the essence of the project-proposal they are writing and, if relevant, discuss the links between their Master’s thesis and the planned PhD project. Participants will read and discuss each others notes.

When: 12-13 December 2011 
Deadline research note: 21 November 2011 
Preparation: about 0.5 week
Attendance: one or two days
ECTS: 2 (1 ECTS 28 hours)

Minor Paper and Seminar 2: Work in Progress
The Minor Paper gives a first substantial discussion of the PhD project. The minor paper positions the research project in the relevant debates, formulates the research questions and discusses the methodologies and techniques (10-15 pages A4). The Minor Paper is presented during seminar 2: Work in Progress. The Minor Paper should be written in English.

Seminar 2 lasts two days. Each PhD student will present and defend his/her minor paper. Every participant will also be discussant of the minor paper by another PhD student. A senior researcher, usually one of the fellows of the Posthumus Institute (but external experts are an option too) will give a second comment on the minor paper.

In the minor paper the PhD student explains the content, the approach and the envisaged methodology of the project. He/she may also address the current evolution of the relevant field and the theoretical or methodological issues which dominate recent debates, provided these are germane to the project.

Participants of Seminar 2 read the minor papers of all other participants and take part in the general discussion. Every one will referee one paper specifically. If they see fit, experts can assign some reading material for the participants. The Program Director of the Posthumus Institute or a substitute will be present during the seminar.

Deadline Minor Paper: t.b.a.                             
ECTS: 4
Seminar 2: Work in Progress
When: t.b.a.
Preparation: one week
Attendance 2 days
ECTS: 2

Major paper and Research Design Course
The Major Paper provides an advanced discussion of the PhD project. It evaluates the major choices made structuring the research and the thesis to produce. It also justifies these choices in the light of good academic practice. The major paper thus gives; a well-founded formation of the research question and sub-questions, the expected answers, the methods to be used, the steps to be taken doing research, the timing, the required information, and the (provisional) structure (chapters) of the thesis. The Research Design Course invites to reflect upon issues discussed in the theory of science literature: the scientific ambitions, the perspectives adopted and rejected, problems combining theory and empirical investigation etc. It is expected that such issues, selected upon relevance for the particular project, are included in the major paper after studying the literature of the Research Design Course. The major paper will result in a draft version of the first chapter of the dissertation. It includes a substantial introduction to the project, and a dissertation plan. The paper, 20-25 pages, is written in English.

The Research Design Course is an international seminar lasting three to five days. At the Research Design Course the Major Papers are presented by their author and discussed by participants and invited experts.

The Research Design Course brings together Dutch and Flemish PhD students of the Posthumus Institute with PhD students from all over Europe. That is why this course is organized by the ESTER-network and its partners. They bring together an international team of well qualified historians. During the seminar, PhD students will present their major paper. Furthermore, each participant will referee the paper of another participant. Usually, the Research Design Course works with parallel groups. The participant will read all the papers of their group and prepare the general discussion of each paper. Participants are also asked to study the recommended literature in advance.

Deadline Major Paper: one month before the RDC
ECTS: 5
Research Design Course:
When: t.b.a.
Preparation: one week
Attendance: 3 or 4 days
ECTS: 3

The individual assessment
The basic training ends with an individual assessment. Two fellows of the Posthumus Institute will assess, together with the PhD student and his/her promoter, the first year of the PhD project and the expectations concerning the remainder of the project. The major aim is to assess whether the PhD project is likely to be completed as planned in time. Problems and possible solutions can also be discussed. If the fellows conclude after the assessment that the PhD student will in all likelihood finish the Posthumus training with a dissertation, then the student will qualify for the Posthumus diploma, provided he has fulfilled all the other requirements of the basic training. If the fellows conclude that the PhD is unlikely to complete his/her project, membership of the Posthumus Institute will end after consultation of the Examination Committee.

The individual assessments will take place on one day and each will last about one hour. The postgraduates will produce three short notes beforehand.

-   First, a short note, the RDC reconsidered, in which they will look back at the Research Design Course, and discuss not only what was said, but particularly what the PhD intends to do with the criticisms and suggestions. This can be condensed in a (brief) dissertation plan, summarizing aim, the research question(s), the expected outcome, the chapters and a planning over time. (maximum 5 A4)
-   Secondly, the lay-out of the paper or article the PhD is planning to write after the basic training. (1 A4).
-   An updated study plan, detailing the activities planned during the second year and with concise information about the later years. (max 2 A4)

When: t.b.a.
Preparation 1 week.
ECTS: 1