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Dissertation

Dissertation Prospectus: The prospectus should be from 5 to 10 pages in length (depending on the extensiveness of the bibliography) and should include:

• a clear statement of the aim, scope, and proposed organization of the dissertation
• a reasoned argument for the importance of the project, and a review of the research in this area
• a bibliography of criticism and scholarship immediately relevant to the subject

The prospectus for creative writing students will have two parts: one on the creative project and one on the required scholarly essay. The two parts do not have to be closely related, but the prospectus should bring out any ways in which they do inform each other. The dissertation committee must approve the dissertation prospectus before the student may take the doctoral qualifying exam.

 

Dissertation Committee: The dissertation committee consists of a director and a second and third reader. As students need to have the dissertation prospectus approved before taking the exam, they will also need to form the dissertation committee before the exam date.

Dissertation Defense: The defense is open to all members of the academic community. After the dissertation committee has completed its questioning, other persons present have an opportunity to submit questions or comments. At least ¾ of the voting members of the dissertation committee must approve the dissertation.

An outside moderator or referee is not required. However, the University Dean upon the request of either the candidate, the chair of the dissertation committee, or the Graduate Director, could assign such a person. The moderator should be a member of the University Graduate Faculty from outside the Department. The duties of such a person are limited to observing the oral defense and reporting in writing to the University Dean on the academic propriety of the defense.

Upon successful completion of the defense, the committee will determine a grade for the dissertation, reflected in the hours of research credit previously recorded as IP.

 

Final Protocol: Upon approval of the dissertation, the candidate should consult http://www.etd.uc.edu/ for information and requirements related to preparing and submitting the electronic dissertation.