DOCTORAL PROGRAM IN EXPRESSIVE ARTS: THERAPY, EDUCATION, CONSULTING - HANDBOOK
1. INTRODUCTION
The doctoral program in Expressive Arts is designed to further training and research in the therapeutic, consultative and educational use of the arts and in the relationship of the arts to social change. The program encourages students to take seriously the traditions and disciplines of the arts as they have evolved over the course of human history. In all societies up to the present, the arts have played an essential role in enabling human beings to make sense of their world, to live with suffering when necessary and to be able to celebrate the joy of life. The arts have also played a role in struggles for freedom and have served as a voice of protest against illegitimate authority.
Aristotle speaks of three kinds of knowing: Theoria, knowing by observing, Praxis, knowing by doing, and Poiesis, knowing by making. The doctoral program in Expressive Arts seeks to restore confidence in Poiesis, the knowing that comes from the human capacity to shape both self and world. Training and research at EGS are based on that capacity and encourage students to take responsibility for shaping their development as learners.
2. STRUCTURE OF THE PROGRAM
The doctoral program in Expressive Arts combines two Summer residential trainings at EGS leading to a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS) with individualized dissertation research in the student's home country. The Summer training is conducted in English; dissertations can be written in English, German or French if suitable advisors can be found. The degree of Doctor of Philosophy given by EGS is accredited by the Canton Wallis, Switzerland.
The CAGS is designed as a self-sufficient unit. Students may choose to enroll in the CAGS without intending to go on to achieve the Ph.D. degree. However, for those students who wish to go on to achieve the Ph.D., the successful completion of the CAGS is a prerequisite for advancement to doctoral candidacy and the writing of the dissertation.
The doctoral program consists of two parts:
Part One is the Qualifying Period, in which the student completes the CAGS requirements and writes a qualifying paper. If the qualifying paper is accepted, the student can proceed to Doctoral Candidacy.
Part Two is the Candidacy Period, in which the student, with the help of their Supervisor, establishes their Doctoral Committee and writes their dissertation. The Doctoral Committee must approve the Dissertation Proposal.
When the dissertation is completed and accepted by the Committee, the Doctoral Examination and Defense will take place. Upon successful completion of the Doctoral Defense, the student will be awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). The degree will be formally conferred during the Summer school subsequent upon the completion of the Defense. Students are encouraged to attend the ceremony of conferral of the degree and to celebrate the occasion.