ɬÀï·¬

• Purpose:
  To ensure students are prepared to undertake their proposed dissertation research topic, as well as to demonstrate knowledge of one or more general fields of music studies. Questions are intended to develop a broad perspective on the student's research topic and repertory/materials, as well as to fill in general knowledge gaps in their background as related to music studies.
• Description:
  Four papers will be written over a two-month period. The topics can be drawn from a broad variety of research areas, such as musicology, gender and women’s studies, ethnomusicology, popular music studies, sound studies, digital humanities, and global music history. One topic should be closely connected to the dissertation topic. The other topics can complement the dissertation topic or cover other areas of study in which the student has an interest.
• Students will receive two questions for each of the four topics; they will choose one question for each topic to write on. Questions will be based on the student’s research bibliographies.
• Papers should be 4500-6000 words in length. The total anticipated length of the four papers will be 18,000-24,000 words, not including bibliography.

• When: Approximately two to four weeks after the written examination is submitted.

Description:

• Part 1: A 20-minute public lecture on a sonic event or object (e.g., a piece of music, a musical instrument, a recording), using methodologies appropriate to the chosen material, followed by 30 minutes of questions by the committee and public.
• Part 2: 30-60 minutes of questions on the written exam in private session. The student should be prepared to extend, modify, or correct their essays, and to answer questions from the committee members on their essay topics.

• End of PhD 2
  • Outline a preparation schedule for exams with your supervisor.
• Fall of PhD 3
  • Register for MUGS 701 in the Winter term.
  • The student develops four topics for their comprehensive exams, in consultation with their supervisor(s). Students will develop a bibliography for each topic. Bibliographies will generally include approximately 25 article-length items. Book chapters count as individual articles.
  • November 1. The student notifies graduatestudies.music [at] mcgill.ca of the intent to take the exams.
  • November 15. Supervisors submit committee membership list to graduatestudies.music [at] mcgill.ca. The committee will consist of three ɬÀï·¬ faculty members, including the supervisor.
  • December 1. Research topics will be sent to the area and the committee members, who will provide feedback on the topics.
  • December 15. The topics will be approved by the Area and the committee.
• Winter of PhD 3
  • February 1. Student will submit bibliographies to the comprehensive exam committee.
  • March 1 (or the following Monday if the day falls on a weekend). Students will receive the written comprehensive examination questions. They will have two months to write the four essays.
  • May 1 (or the following Monday if the day falls on a weekend). Answers will be submitted to graduatestudies.music [at] mcgill.ca.
  • Date of oral exam will be scheduled for May or early June.
  • Late May/early June. Students will present on the sonic event/object in public (musicology students and faculty will be invited). The presentation should demonstrate knowledge of an approach appropriate to the selected material. This will be followed by a closed session including the committee and the student.

• Request and schedule regular meetings with supervisors, exam committee members, members of the Area, and other relevant faculty members around the choice of topics, the development of the bibliographies, and the public lecture.
• Do extensive and intensive reading that focuses on topics in which students both extend knowledge in fields in which they are well-acquainted as well as address gaps in their knowledge of other chosen fields.
• Prepare mock presentations and respond to questions with fellow students and supervisor.
• Write sample questions and answers for each of your topics
• Consult with other musicology area students who have completed, or are preparing for, their comprehensive examinations.

MyCourses