Basque Studies, Ph.D.

I. Contact Information

Joseba Zulaika, Ph.D., Graduate Program Director
zulaika@unr.edu
2322 Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center
(775) 682-5572

Mailing Address:
University of Nevada, Reno
Center for Basque Studies, Mail Stop 0322
1664 N. Virginia Street
Reno, NV  89557

Department Website:
basque.unr.edu/academics-tutorialphd.html

II. Brief Introduction

The Basque tutorial Ph.D. program is intended to provide students in the humanities and social sciences with the opportunity to pursue doctoral studies emphasizing Basque-related courses and dissertation research.

III. Program Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes

The successful student will be awarded a Doctor of Philosophy in Basque Studies with an emphasis in one of the following disciplines at the University of Nevada, Reno: anthropology, world languages and literatures, geography, political science or history. The degree is in Basque Studies but entails specialization in one of these subject areas and involves close collaboration with participating departments at UNR.

IV. Admission Requirements

Advisory-Examining Committee: In consultation with the Center’s Director of Graduate Studies, the student should choose an Advisory/Examining Committee and complete the Graduate School’s Program of Study form. Each student’s program of study is tailored to their interests. The student should develop this program with the faculty mentor, the Admissions and Policy Board and/or the Advisory/Examining Committee, which should be constituted during the first semester of enrollment.
The Tutorial Ph.D. in Basque Studies emphasizes a close working relationship between the student and his/her faculty mentor and Advisory-Examining Committee, which consists of the Committee Chair (the faculty mentor), two other faculty members from Basque Studies, and two other graduate faculty from the departments to which the student’s Program of Study relates (Anthropology, Foreign Languages and Literatures, Geography, Political Science or History).

V. Program Requirements

At least 30 units of 700-level courses must be completed, exclusive of dissertation units, in one of five discipline areas: Anthropology, Foreign Languages and Literatures, Geography, History, or Political Science.  Ph.D. students are also required to take 1 unit of comprehensive examination (BASQ 795 ) that does not count towards the 30 required 700-level units. Courses are determined in discussion with each student’s graduate advisor, based on the student’s research interests. 

VI. Total Units

Total Credits and Transfer Credits: The Tutorial Ph.D. requires a minimum of 72 credits beyond the Bachelor’s degree (B.A.). A maximum of 24 credits (with grades of “B” or better) earned at the master’s level at another university may be applied toward requirements for the Tutorial Ph.D. Transfer credit requests must be approved by the student’s faculty mentor, the Director of Graduate Studies in the Center for Basque Studies, and the UNR Graduate School. As many as 18 700-level credits may be used from a master’s degree program.

Of the remaining 48 credits, 24 involve coursework and a further 24 apply to dissertation research and preparation. At least 30 of the 48 credits must be 700-level. The comprehensive examination credit does not count toward this requirement.

Residence Requirement: The Tutorial Ph.D. requires a minimum of four semesters of full-time study; and four consecutive semesters (excluding summer sessions) must be spent in full-time residence at the University of Nevada, Reno. Full-time residence requires a minimum of nine credits per semester.

Time Limit: All requirements must be satisfied during the eight calendar years immediately preceding the granting of the degree.

Continuous Registration: Graduate School regulations require students to maintain continuous registration of at least three credit hours per semester to remain active in the pursuit of a degree. This means that students studying for the comprehensive exam or writing a dissertation must, even if they are not in residence, register for at least three credit hours each semester until they graduate. The doctoral program must be completed within eight years.

VII. Notes

Study Abroad Programs in the Basque Country: The University of Nevada, Reno is the lead institution of the University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC) whose Central Office is located on campus. USAC offers study abroad programs in 26 countries. Students may participate in USAC’s study abroad program in the Basque Country in Donostia-San Sebastián, (Spain v.c.); Bilbao/Getxo, (Spain v.c.); and/or Pau, (France v.c.). Students can complete up to two years of foreign language requirements in one semester. The programs offer international business and Basque-related courses and others in the areas of art history, culture, history, political science, dance and cuisine. Come by the USAC office in the Virginia Street Gym, Room 5, call (775) 784-6569, (866) 404-USAC, email at: usac@unr.edu or check out the website at: http://usac.unr.edu .