History 783 - Dissertation & Research Design

This course is designed to assist advanced graduate students design and write a dissertation prospectus. While the dissertation design is the core aim of this course, it is also open to students drafting a master's thesis, a grant proposal, or a content chapter for a dissertation. A dissertation prospectus is a living document and as such it will evolve over time. However, having a strong document to guide the launch of one's research and prepare you for a strong defense. Students will work closely with the course instructor, but also with their advisors, to craft their prospectus. This will provide an opportunity for students to discuss their project with experts in their field as well as those outside the field. The point of this process is for students to develop the questions they are probing in a manner that helps them articulate the methodological and theoretical perspectives as well as the historical content of their project.