Doctor of Kosmania
The Doctor of Kosmania (abbreviated K.D.) degree is the highest academic degree attainable in the Kingdom of Kosmania. It is granted exclusively by Parliament upon successful defense of a thesis by a candidate.
To be named a Doctor of Kosmania means that one is considered a master of his field - distinguished enough to develop new concepts and new theory without having to answer to anyone. Being nominated for a Doctor of Kosmania degree is no small achievement. On average, 10 individuals per year are nominated for a K.D.; about half successfully defend a thesis before Parliament.
History
In the late 13th century, the Kosmanian Orthodox Church began honoring distinguished theologians of the land with the title of doctor. By the 17th century, theologians who were considered "Doctors of the Church" or KirchecDoktor, began using the initials K.D. after their names. This usage continued until the early 21st century when King Kevin I of Kosmania secularized the degree, renaming it the Doctor of Kosmania degree. Coincidentally, the same initials remain in use.
Defense Procedure
The actual defense of a thesis before Parliament is structured more like a trial before a court, rather than the academic symposium it is intended to be. The candidate is detained outside the chambers of the House of Commons, and is held there until the Prime Minister motions that the Speaker allow the candidate to enter. As with any vote in Parliament, the motion must be seconded and voted upon. (This part of the procedure is a complete formality. It is a tie to centuries-old tradition.) The Prime Minister then introduces the candidate to the Speaker, and ultimately, to the entire House. The candidate goes on to present his thesis to Parliament. As is customary, members of Parliament begin to shoot-down the candidate's ideas, and begin criticizing him on various parts of his paper. Continuing with the formalities, the Leader of the Opposition calls in various K.D.'s from across the world to testify against the candidate and his ideas. After all, any candidate that the opposing party nominates must be "clearly unqualified." Following this "roast" of the candidate's ideas, the Prime Minister and his party begin cursing against the expert witnesses and the Opposition. In addition, the Prime Minister calls for expert witness K.D.'s who testify on behalf of the candidate. Ultimately, unless the candidate demonstrates that he is completely unqualified, Parliament, by a majority vote, finally grants the candidate the degree of K.D.. The Speaker of the House comes down from his bench and formally hoods the candidate with the colors of the state. A tradition long-held by the House is a shout by the junior-most member of Parliament, saying "Let's hear it for (The candidate's name)! Doctor of Kosmania!" The House responds with cheer and applause.
Regalia
The regalia of a Doctor of Kosmania is a modified version of typical doctoral regalia. Instead of being completely black, the robe is green, with red and gold trimmings (the colors of Kosmania). The actual color of the degree is blue, which is displayed on the hood. The chevrons that would typically display one's alma mater have been replaced by red and gold, the colors of Kosmania. Before the actual defense, the candidate is actually already wearing the green robe. He is at that point not, however, considered a Doctor of Kosmania.
Recent Reforms
The K.D. is a degree that has been exclusively granted to Kosmanians. On October 31, 2005, Prime Minister Gabriel Michailovic passed the Reform of the K.D. Act, which allows for non-Kosmanians to be nominated for a K.D.. The act also states that a non-Kosmanian candidate is not required to wear the green robe (as such an act could be considered treasonous). The candidate would be asked, however, to wear the blue hood with red and gold chevrons. As of November 2005, there are no non-Kosmanian K.D.'s.
