PhD in Literary Studies: Dissertation
Dissertation Prospectus Conference
Within six months after passing the written Preliminary Examination, each student must complete that examination by holding a Dissertation Prospectus Conference. This consists of a meeting with the English Department faculty member who has agreed to direct her or his dissertation and two other faculty members who have agreed to serve on the dissertation committee.
At the meeting, the committee and the student discuss a dissertation prospectus prepared by the student and given to the faculty members of the committee at least two weeks in advance. The purpose of this conference is to insure that students move rapidly from the second to the third stage of the Program, with the momentum built up from studying for the Preliminary Examination.
The conference centers on a dissertation prospectus detailing a topic and the new dissertator's intentions as to treating the topic, so that the conference can guide him or her toward a finished, well-conceived proposal and so that the committee members can reach substantial agreement among themselves and with the candidate as to the soundness of the proposed study.
Prospectus conferences normally do not take place during the summer.
Dissertation Proposal
A Dissertation Proposal should follow as soon as possible, normally no later than three months after the conference. The student files the dissertation proposal, signed by the professor who has agreed to direct the dissertation and by two other faculty members, with the Director of Graduate Studies. The director and at least one of the other faculty members must be in the English Department.
Dissertation Oral Conference
The Dissertation Oral is a conference between the candidate and the dissertation committee, plus two outside readers. At least one of these outside readers must come from a department or program other than the English Department Literary Studies program. The conference, which typically takes place after 75% to 90% of the dissertation has been written, will review the aim, method, and the progress of the dissertation, and pose specific questions about the details of its content. The committee will indicate to the Graduate Division that the conference has been held and will briefly state its findings. If the committee is not satisfied, another conference may be scheduled.
For the Dissertation Oral, the candidate must give each member of the committee a readable typescript two weeks before any conference. Dissertation Orals are typically not scheduled during the summer.
When the dissertation is complete, the final version and an abstract will be submitted to the committee for approval, with the clear understanding that the readers may refuse approval at any time after the Oral has been held. At their discretion, members of the committee may delegate the power of approval to the dissertation director.
Deadline for Completion
By Graduate School regulations, every student must complete the dissertation within five calendar years after passing the Preliminary Examination, i.e., after the Prospectus Conference. Where necessary, the student, joined by the dissertation director and the Director of Graduate Studies, may appeal for an extension beyond five years, with a rationale for the appeal and a proposed absolute deadline for completion.
(rev. 8/2005)
