(bi-weekly)

Time: 3:30pm-5:30pm

Dates: Sessions will be held on seven alternating Wednesdays (3:30-5:30pm), except the first two sessions (January 22nd and 29th) which will be held consecutive Wednesdays. See dates below.

Optional informational meeting on Wednesday, January 15th, 3:30pm-5:30pm

Location: IBS 401

Instructor: Amanda Stevenson (amanda.stevenson@colorado.edu)

Description: The dissertation process often seems daunting: How do I choose a research question? What should go into the project? What milestones should I set? Where do I even begin? This workshop seeks to help you get well on your way to producing a great dissertation by helping you through the process of writing the dissertation prospectus. Each semester, the workshop brings together graduate students from the various social sciences fields starting the dissertation journey. During this workshop, you will focus in on a dissertation topic, write and workshop a draft of your dissertation prospectus, and identify potential funding sources. The workshop is organized around short memo assignments that build toward a finished proposal.  Bi-weekly writing prompts help develop your project, such as identifying a question, surveying the literature, choosing data and research methods, and producing a solid prospectus. These writing prompts are designed to keep you focused, move you forward and give you something tangible to take into conversations with your advisor as you develop your project.  This is a non-credit workshop, but there is a general expectation that students who participate will attend most of the sessions. Snacks will be served at each session.

January 15th Optional Informational Meeting
January 22nd Defining your Issue
January 29th Situating your project in a scholarly context
February 12th Explaining your choice of research focus, sources, and methods
February 26th Implementing your research plan
March 11th Analyzing your compiled evidence
April 1st Conveying your personal interest and qualifications
April 15th Summing it up - the abstract