Call for Applications:
Dutch language-course in June 2018 at Columbia University for Graduate Students (tuition-free)
The course has three distinct sections, and students may apply to any or all three (with the exception that students cannot apply to only the third section in Belgium). A single letter of application will suffice for any section(s) of the course, but applicants should be sure to include the appropriate supporting materials for the particular section(s) of the course to which application is being made. Applicants are requested to clearly state which sections they are applying to, by stating it in boldface on the letter of purpose.
APPLICATIONS FOR ALL SESSIONS ARE DUE MONDAY, MARCH 5, 2018 – two weeks of Modern Dutch for Reading Knowledge [(Week I & II (6/4 – 6/7 & 6/11 – 6/14)] – one week of 17th-century Dutch/paleography [(Week III (6/18 -6 /21)] – one week archival workshop in Belgium (Flanders) [(Week IV (6/25 – 6/28)] (All weeks run from Mondays through Thursdays)
Week I & II: Modern Dutch for Reading Knowledge This section will cover reading skills, grammar and vocabulary in modern Dutch. Open to all students with the equivalent of 2 semesters or more of Dutch (or 4 semesters of German or equivalent) at the university level. Students must submit evidence of competence in the language. Preference will be given to students enrolled in a PhD program, although M.A students may apply. Students who are unsure if their level of Dutch is satisfactory should contact Wijnie de Groot to arrange an evaluation (wed23@columbia.edu).
Week III: 17th-century Dutch texts/paleography workshop The workshop will cover reading strategies of 17th-century printed and handwritten texts. Open to all students with the equivalent of 3 semesters or more of Dutch or 2 full years of German at the university level. Students must submit evidence of competence in the language. In addition, students should submit a letter of application explaining their reason for registration. Preference will be given to students enrolled in a PhD program, although M.A students may apply.
Week IV: Archival workshop in Flanders This workshop is planned to take place in Flanders (including visits to Ghent, Leuven, Brussels, and Antwerp) and will introduce students to archives ranging from the Middle Ages to the 17th century and other available sources such as those at university libraries and museums. Space for this week will be limited and highly competitive. The workshop will take place from June 25th through 28th , and students will be able to conduct individual research on June 29th .
Preference will be given to PhD candidates who are ready to start dissertation research. This week is not open to M.A. students. Participants who do not receive funding from their university for the workshop will be able to apply for funding from Columbia University to help them cover their accommodation and local transportation expenses in Belgium. Email Wijnie de Groot at wed23@columbia.edu for additional information.
PREREQUISITES Applicants for the Flanders portion of the course must – have completed MA thesis and first-year of graduate work at the Phd level – be enrolled in a PhD program – must be at or close to the stage of planning the dissertation research and have a good idea of the kinds of sources that will be – submit a letter of support from advisor or principal faculty member: the letter should endorse the usefulness of the trip and the archival experience, in the expectation that it will lead to archival work for the thesis. – submit a letter of purpose: it should explain how the training will advance their ongoing or planned research for a doctoral thesis necessary (including an indication of what stage the applicant is in their program: first-year, second-year, etc.) – have adequate reading skills in modern Dutch (the equivalent of 3 semesters). Applicants should contact Wijnie de Groot to discuss their proficiency level.
All applications, along with supporting documents, should be emailed to Wijnie de Groot at wed23@columbia.edu. They are due March 5, 2018 Inquiries should also be directed to Wijnie de Groot at that email address.