As many of you know, I'm a doctoral student at the Union Institute. For the
last two years I've been working on my studies and on my preliminary
research. I'm currently at the point where I need to complete my doctoral
committee, and I badly need to locate an individual with a Ph.D. in
Psychology who is willing to serve as an adjunct on my committee.
To provide a little background: My research is in the area of the effects
of the Internet on the formation of a new, distinct, culture. As a
substantial part of that research, I'm examining the psychological
influences of the Internet on the formation of values and on the behavior of
Internet participants (the major focus of the research is on that sub-set of
Internet users who "identify" with the Internet and are very heavy users,
rather than on those who see it as either a tool or a basic communications
technology).
The role of an adjunct at the Union Institute differs quite a bit from that
at a traditional institution. Fundamentally, it consists of three
responsibilities:
1. Attending two face-to-face meetings (transportation and expenses paid
for by the school, of course) as a part of the certification process. The
first meeting involves approval of the "Learning Agreement" which
essentially documents the work already completed, the objectives of the
doctoral program, and the specific criteria to be used in validating the
work. This is essentially the point at which all studies have been
completed, with only final research & the dissertation remaining. The second
meeting occurs when the dissertation (or other form of documented proof of
completion, in cases where a traditional dissertation is not appropriate) is
complete. At this meeting, the completed work is approved by the committee
and the candidate is recommended for the degree. Essentially, these meetings
of the committee insure that all work is of doctoral quality and that it
justifies the awarding of the Ph.D. degree.
2. Reading relevant works submitted by the learner and critically
commenting on their content with respect to needed changes, etc.
3. Advising the learner in the area of expertise of the adjunct.
With the exception of the two face-to-face meetings, all other aspects of
the adjunct relationship can be conducted via email, telephone, mail, or any
other medium (in my case, most of my communications are via email). The
meetings themselves are scheduled to meet the needs of the committee,
particularly the adjunct members. The entire committee consists of two core
faculty members at the Union Institute (a core advisor and a second reader),
two adjunct members, two peer members (other doctoral students or graduates
at the Union Institute), and the learner him/her-self who plays an active
part in the committee. The adjuncts are, of course, compensated by the
school for their activities (inadequately, of course, as is common to ALL
adjuncts :). Detailed information on the role/responsibilities of adjuncts
is available at:
http://www.tui.edu/Learners/Graduate/Adjuncts/Adjuncts.html.
If any of the members of TIPS who hold a Ph.D. degree is interested in this
research area and in exploring the possibility of participating in my
committee, I would very much appreciate hearing from them. I'm at a critical
point in my program right now, and can't proceed further without the
completion of my committee.
Thanks for considering this request,
Rick Adams
---
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Department of Social Sciences
Jackson Community College
Jackson, MI
