Articles

A higher-education researcher takes a close look at exactly what committees want to see in a Ph.D. thesis.
Barbara E. Lovitts, author of a new book on dissertations: "Students are always concerned about how they're being judged." (Photograph by Ron Aira)

Alice Kaplan's love for the city stems from 25 years of memories — her own and those gleaned from a thousand books and films. She explores her Paris, from the École des Hautes Études to the trendy Bon Marche department store.

The shrinking financial rewards of faculty jobs are putting a squeeze on some professors, especially in areas where the cost of living is high — and particularly when they aspire to keep up with professionals in other fields.

An irreverent cartoon to some, The Simpsons covers a wide array of disciplines in college curricula.

There are ways to dress in academe, and every fashion choice sends a message.

Notes

PEER REVIEW: The dean of admissions at the University of Pennsylvania is leaving earlier than had been expected. ... The University of Tennessee at Knoxville hires a diversity advocate. ... Oliver Sacks joins Columbia University in a multidisciplinary role.

TENURE DISPUTE SETTLED: A long-running battle between DePaul University and the political scientist Norman G. Finkelstein has ended with his announcement that he would resign immediately.

'EVOLUTIONARY INFORMATICS': In what a professor calls a violation of academic freedom, Baylor University has removed from its Web site his personal page related to intelligent design.

'NEARLY VERBATIM': The group that licenses pharmacists has suspended its national examination after accusing a professor at the University of Georgia of giving out the questions (again).