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 Philosophy 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 Philosophy 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 committee and registered with the Graduate Secretary and the Graduate School.
Preliminary Exam Description
The purpose of the history of philosophy preliminary examination is to demonstrate critical and analytical knowledge in the history of philosophy.
Subject Areas/Major Components of the Preliminary Examination
The subject area of the main preliminary examination is the history of philosophy.
At what point in the program is the student expected to take the preliminary examination
The main preliminary examination should be completed in the third semester after admission.
Writing the Questions for the Preliminary Examination
The graduate advisor, in consultation with his or her colleagues, selects the questions for the history of philosophy preliminary examination.
Evaluating the Preliminary Examination
Each question on the main preliminary examination is graded by 3 different faculty members. An overall grade is assigned by the graduate committee and/or the full department.
Criterion for Passing the Preliminary Examination.
The student must write clear, cogent answers to each question.
Administering, Scheduling, and Proctoring the Preliminary Examination
The preliminary examination is a take-home examination. It is made available to the student for two weeks, at the end of which time the examination must be returned for grading.
Dissertation/Monograph Philosophy
The Doctoral Dissertation is an original study that makes a significant contribution to the field of philosophy. It should expand the existing knowledge base and demonstrate the student's mastery of his or her primary area of interest.
Philosophy of the Proposal
The dissertation proposal demonstrates the student's knowledge of and ability to conduct the proposed research.
The proposal should be completed and approved no more than 6 months after the completion of all coursework. Upon approval, a timeline for completing the dissertation will be established.
Criterion for Passing the Dissertation and the Defense.
The Committee will evaluate the student's ability to verbally express 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. The Graduate Secretary will arrange the time, date, and room within two working days, and forward the appropriate forms to the student.
Announcing the Dissertation Defense
After the Graduate Secretary has arranged the time, date, and room, for the defense, the student must send a completed "Announcement of Dissertation Defense" form to the Graduate School (501 Carnell Hall) at least 10 days before the defense. The Department will post fliers announcing the defense.
