Comments

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  Maurice Stevens April 22, 2011 at 8:56pm

  @Carol Rizzolo, I appreciate your teasing out the process related differences between the concept paper and proposal, even while in the Depth Department the two see closely related, often. As I see it, there's the passion which comes into some symbolization in the 'concept' which gets further elaborated in relation to a 'site' of investigation which is what the 'proposal' really frames [thanks to a coherent research question]. Of course, during the process of unfolding through writing, one's site often changes... so yeah, be prepared to flex as needed, but remember too, that your journey does have a destination, even if you do get some good sight-seeing in...

  warmly,

  m
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  Carol Rizzolo April 16, 2011 at 10:48am

  Joy, just to say that your concept paper writing course is PGI's way of teaching how to organize a topic and a diss project. Remember that the concept paper does not need to fully reflect your dissertation topic. Does that make sense? It might help lessen the stress to keep in mind that the concept paper is merely a writing exercise. It is your proposal that will carry the day towards your actual project. And I would absolutely consider carefully who you would like for your committee. Choose people who you want to work with and who you think will add to your experience of becoming...the process is an amazing journey...you want to have people by your side who recognize the sacred nature of the journey and also encourage you to follow your bliss wherever your research and writing takes you...
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  Carol Rizzolo April 16, 2011 at 10:44am

  Yippeeee! i have just defended for my Ph D in Myth and Depth Pscyh at Pacifica...and along the way, I found an amazing website that has really helped loads for keeping lists of the Works Cited ....it cites by DOI, or ISBN, or manual entry....excellent! http://www.easybib.com.

  Also, just a heads up for those at PGI citing any of Jung's collected works...the manuscript editor is clear that the essay title should be named in the body of the text . That way it is only the name of the CW volume that must be named in the WC...this was kind of a pain in the ass to go back and do throughout the text...given that most of Jung's stuff is cited via CW # : paragraph number. Anyway...just a heads up for those at PGI in the writing process...What a journey!

   
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  Maurice Stevens March 25, 2011 at 8:51am

  oh, and did I mention that there's a short writing retreat coming up in May? :)

  Here's more information, if you are interested. I've attached a schedule too. Folks in 'The South' might also find the location (near Cincinnati OH) convenient.writing%20retreat%20word%20format.docx

  The retreat's 1/2 full at this point, so there are spaces left

  good writing...
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  Maurice Stevens March 25, 2011 at 8:43am

  @Joy

  Nice to see you here Joy. Choosing a committee can be such and interesting practice. From one's position as graduate student, it can feel very much like inviting luminaries to dinner (remember that old show "Meeting of the Minds,"... I just flashed to it). In an ideal situation, people writing dissertations of the kinds Depth Ph.D. students often do (multi-disciplinary, often working with theories and methodologies that have been developed in/from very different temporal and cultural contexts, etc.), can put together a committee of four or five people who can 'represent' their different disciplinary locations. Pacifica committees are much smaller, though, and the committee really serves different functions, it seems. I'm sure others have different views on this, so you should definitely ask around, but my two cents on the matter are that you really consider how you 'get along' intellectually with a potential primary adviser. Have a look at their work, if you can, see what theories and methods frame their own approaches to Depth-related work. Talk with them about your own ideas and passions. If you feel there's a good match there then ask if they might want to help guide your process.

  Then the real fun begins. I think it's important to involve your adviser in a conversation about your project and about who might be a good outside reader for you. Don't just go for some luminary in your field who may or may not be familiar with Pacifica's process, expectations, etc. Since you cannot count on your third committee member (the coordinator) being an 'expert' in your field, the primary and the outside members are crucial. The 'best' processes seem to be those where the student is in open and transparent conversation with all committee members. Again, since you are 'non-residential' and will have less frequent contact with your advisers, it's important to be sure everyone is on the same page from the beginning.

   

  oh, and remember this: Get it written, then get it right! (best piece of advice I ever got!)

   

  Your relationship with your committee is one of dialogue, not monologue or competition. Use your dialogue to come up with good research questions (that are deeply connected and informed by your passions), and then use the exchange of semi-polished drafts as a form of thinking-through-writing. This will improve your writing, decrease the clinging kind of attachment that can make revisions difficulty, and enhance your sense of detached responsibility for 'your' work (better to see how it's working you, too)...

   

  ok, so that four cents, sorry for going on so long...
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  Ingrid Joy Brown March 24, 2011 at 10:22pm

  Hello Friends

  I just joined this group. I know several people who have written as I am in the Ph.D. Depth program at Pacifica Graduate Institute. I see the CONCEPT paper looming up closer and closer.....

  Another confusing note is what to look for in selecting my dissertation committee. 

  In a past life, I went with the Tao as my selection process (a funny story) so been there, done that.  This time I am thinking of a more conscious process!

  Joy
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  Ed Koffenberger March 20, 2011 at 6:14pm

  Thanks Maurice,

  Your post opened me to an unconscious image I held that follows the more-is-better type of thinking. I was not aware that I was thinking the more the better when it comes to the number of folk I would ask to help me with my dissertation work. After seeing your 3 to 4 suggestion along with the need for consistency, my internal numbers game came to light. Thanks.
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  Maurice Stevens March 19, 2011 at 1:32pm

  @Ed and Bonnie and etc.,

  I've been working with dissertation writers with the SSRC who are brought together each year (a different group of folks each time), and we consistently run into this question and challenge of organizing 'accountability groups' from among a larger group of people who are not all in the same location or region.

  people have tried lots of things: email check in's each week outlining your concrete goals for the week (writing, self-care, mentor connection, adviser contact, etc); setting up google groups to do the same thing; arranging for 'quarterly' writing retreats (this works well for people in the same region who can pitch in on a hotel room or suite and meet there to write and critique each others' writing); etc. What has seemed most important in the ongoing sustainability of the group is that it be reasonably small (three or four people), that the emphasis be on setting do-able goals -- even if it's write one word each day this week, or get outside walking three times this week while contemplating the 'purpose' of my work, or whatever; and on building a small container where the armor and self-defense that one needs everywhere else can be let down and authentic trust built. I usually frame it up with the term 'critical care.' Then there's the whole issues of stepping into AND alongside one's project in negotiation with its audience... but that's a completely different conversation!

  peace

   
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  Maurice Stevens March 19, 2011 at 1:22pm

  Hey Good People,

  Don't know for whom among you this might be suitable, but want to share that I will be co-hosting a writing retreat that may be of interest. Check this link: http://www.hopespringsinstitute.org/academicwriting.html

   

  I am not being paid for this, and the costs support a great institution... It will basically be three days of intentional writing in an ecological and psychical container that is familiar with writing in 'depth.'

  Have a look...

  if you have other questions about it write me at maurice.e.stevens@gmail.com

  Maurice

   
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  Ed Koffenberger March 17, 2011 at 3:16pm

  Another idea, variation of Bonnie's last thought. Create a subgroup within this larger group "Currently Writing" or the like, then create a council of sorts so that each Monday (ex.) one person will share where they are - blocks and blessings - with the others, giving the following week for responses.