Culminating
Events:
Culminating event for the degree program
Dissertation
Dissertation Advising Committee Information
The Dissertation Advising Committee is formed to oversee the student's doctoral research and is comprised of at least three Graduate Faculty members. Two members, including the Chair, must be from the English Department. Committee compositions must be approved by the department's graduate committee. The Chair is responsible for overseeing and guiding the student's progress, coordinating the responses of the Committee members, and informing the student of his or her academic progress.
Dissertation Examining Committee Information
The Dissertation Examining Committee evaluates the student's dissertation and oral defense. This committee is comprised of the Doctoral Advising Committee and at least one additional Graduate Faculty member from outside the English Department. The Outside Examiner should be identified no later than the beginning of the semester in which the student will defend the dissertation.
Advisor/Committee Information
If a student needs to change a member of a Committee, the new member must be approved by the department's Graduate Executive Committee and registered with the Graduate Secretary and the Graduate School.
Preliminary Exam Description
The preliminary examination, together with successful completion of course work, should demonstrate special competence in two areas. Students define these areas by writing a protocol and by constructing two reading lists, one for each area. The examinations are taken in two separate parts. The protocol is an explanation and justiciation of the two reading lists in terms of professional aims. It will demonstrate competence in generally recognized areas of teaching and scholarship and how the fields chosen will advance the student's research.
Subject Areas/Major Components of the Preliminary Examination
The subject areas will be determined, in advance, by the student and the Dissertation Advisory Committee. The examination will normally be taken in two sessions. The questions for each session generally will not exceed seven, from which the student will choose three.
At what point in the program is the student expected to take the preliminary examination
The preliminary examination should be completed after approval of the protocol and reading list; usually one year after completion of coursework.
Writing the Questions for the Preliminary Examination
The members of the student's Dissertation Advisory Committee write the questions for the preliminary examination.
Evaluating the Preliminary Examination
The examination will be read by the the student's Dissertation Advisory Committee. After reading the first part, each reader will complete a comment sheet, assessing its strengths and weaknesses. No grades will be assigned at this time. After the reading the second part of the exmiantion, the committee will assess the second part and the examination as a whole, referring to the comments on the first part. At that time, each committee member will record a final evaluation of Pass with Honors, Pass, or Fail.
Criterion for Passing the Preliminary Examination.
The student's dissertation committee evaluates the preliminary examination and judges the essays for both analytic and scholarly expertise.
Administering, Scheduling, and Proctoring the Preliminary Examination
Students who are preparing to write their preliminary examinations should confirm a time and date with their Dissertation Advisory Committee Chairperson and register with the Graduate Secretary. The student and Chairperson will receive confirmation for the time, date, room, and proctor for the examination.
Dissertation/Monograph Philosophy
The dissertation should demonstrate the ability to conceive, research, and write a scholarly project of at 150 pages.
Philosophy of the Proposal
The dissertation proposal should identify the key issues to be investigated, an awareness of the relevant scholarship in the field, and a detailed outline of the proposed dissertation.
Criterion for Passing the Dissertation and the Defense.
The Committee will evaluate the student's ability to express verbally his or her research question, methodological approach, primary findings, and implications. The Committee will vote to pass or fail the dissertation and the defense at the conclusion of the public presentation.
Dissertation Defense Scheduling
Students who are preparing to defend their dissertation should confirm a time and date with their Dissertation Advisory Committee and register with the Graduate Secretary at least 15 days before the defense is to be scheduled. The Graduate Secretary will arrange the time, date, and room.
Announcing the Dissertation Defense
After the Graduate Secretary has arranged the time, date, and room, for the defense, the student must send to the Graduate School (501 Carnell Hall) a completed "Announcement of Dissertation Defense" form at least 10 days before the defense. The Department will post fliers announcing the defense.
