Guidelines for 8891 Dissertation Proposal

The Ph.D. Dissertation Proposal should be structured according to the following format:

Abstract

In approximately 250 words, identify the subject matter, theoretical framework, and central research question, hypothesis and/or argument of the dissertation.

Body of Proposal

  1. Objectives, justification, theoretical framework, and methodology

In a 10-15 page essay, explain your objectives, justify your selection of areas of concentration or primary material. You might think of this section as an introductory chapter of the dissertation that you can expand later.

  • Chapter outline in paragraph form

Detail the logic, structure, and organization of the proposed dissertation. Include one to three well-developed paragraphs per chapter outlining the purpose, content, and/or arguments.

  • Bibliography

Include a “working” bibliography close to what you imagine the Works Cite page for the dissertation will look like.

Deadline

The Dissertation Proposal must be submitted to the advisor no later than the first week of November (1st semester) or first week of April (2nd semester).

Reading of the Proposal

  1. The dissertation director (advisor) reads the proposal, and if it is acceptable without revisions, it is passed to the other readers on the committee.
  2. If dissertation director finds the proposal unacceptable, requiring revisions, it is returned to you to be revised according to the specifications made by the director. You must return the revised copy within one week.
  3. If the director finds the revised proposal acceptable, then it is passed to the other readers on the committee.
  4. If for the second time the director finds the proposal unacceptable, the director, in consultation with your other dissertation committee members, will give a grade of NP (no pass) for the course.
  5. If the other readers on the committee require additional revisions, you must make the changes and resubmit the proposal for final approval. Once there are no further revisions needed, a date is set for the defense.

Proposal Defense

At the proposal defense, you should be ready to discuss your theoretical framework, research questions, choice of texts (for literature), primary hypotheses (linguistics) or arguments. In addition to asking clarifying questions, the committee may make suggestions for the dissertation process. If the committee decides by a majority vote that the dissertation proposal is unacceptable and needs further revisions, these revisions must be carried out, and a new defense has to be scheduled before the end of the semester. If the committee decides by a majority vote that the dissertation proposal is acceptable, then you may proceed to the final stage of the degree, writing the dissertation itself. Upon its completion, a final grade for 8891 will be assigned.