Topics in Theatre (502-0-20)

Topic

Research Design and Prospectus Development

Instructors

Danielle Bainbridge

Meeting Info

Wirtz 235 Seminar Room 1: Mon 9:00AM - 11:50AM

Overview of class

This course, required for students in IPTD and open to students in Performance Studies, provides time and space for scripting the dissertation prospectus and reading lists for the qualifying exam. The workshop format models effective strategies for informal peer review and outlines best practices for academic writing and exam preparation. Other professionalization topics include time management, teaching preparation, conference attendance, publication opportunities, grant applications, and career readiness. In this course, we will discuss best practices for devising, writing, revising, and submitting your dissertation prospectus. This includes following the template given in the IPTD or PS Handbook: premise, scope, justification, theoretical approach/conceptual framework/method, resources, chapter outline, and bibliography. Because this is a workshop class, the emphasis will be on learning by doing. To that end students will come away with three skill sets: first the ability to research, draft, and write a successful prospectus, second how to develop a process in their work that will guide them through the rest of grad school, and finally acquiring the necessary professional skills to give constructive feedback in a community of peers.

Class Materials (Required)

Wayne Booth, et. al., The Craft of Research (3rd edition is available as an e-book through NU Library or purchase)

Joan Bolker, Writing Your Dissertation in Fifteen Minutes a Day. (purchase)

Robert Boice Advice for New Faculty Members $26-50