COURSE SYLLABUS
SCOPE OF COURSE SYLLABUS
Intended for students enrolling in Seminar on Dissertation, this syllabus contains information specific to the course. It is a definitive record of the course's primary characteristics and the learning outcomes that a typical student can reasonably be expected to achieve if he/she takes full advantage of the available learning opportunities. This document also serves as a reference for academic and support staff, internal and external examiners, and for future course monitoring and review.
COURSE AT A GLANCE
Course Title
Seminar on Dissertation
Subject Area
Dissertation
Course Code
DSRT 98001
Course Level
Graduate
Credits
4.0
Prerequisites
None
Methods of Delivery
Online
Expected Length
7.0 Weeks
Class Meetings
To be determined
Faculty
To be determined
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Computer Software: Any computer software that aids learning.
TEXT(S)
Text 1: WPYD
Title: Writing a Proposal for Your Dissertation—Guidelines and Examples
Author(s): Steven R. Terrell
Year Published: 2022
ISBN: 9781462550234
SYNOPSIS
This course offers comprehensive guidance on developing and composing a dissertation proposal prospectus centered on organizational-based research. Students will refine their writing, project planning, and research methodology expertise through various activities throughout the course.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:
Describe the research process.
Outline the elements of a thesis/dissertation.
Use library resources to develop their proposal.
Effectively work with their academic advisor and graduate committee.
Develop and follow an appropriate timeline for their thesis/dissertation completion.
Reduce/eliminate barriers that interfere with the development of a high-quality thesis/dissertation proposal.
Follow the APA style in preparing the thesis/dissertation proposal.
Select a research topic of importance to the profession.
Write a narrative that presents a compelling need for their study.
Develop a clear and concise purpose statement delineated by research objectives.
Identify and explain an appropriate theory base for their research.
Develop a conceptual model relevant to their research.
Prepare a comprehensive review of the empirical literature related to their topic.
Describe in detail the procedures to be used for their study.
Prepare for the successful defense of their thesis/dissertation proposal.
Prepare a complete IRB submission for their research project.
WEEK 1
Module 1
Developing the Problem Statement for Your Dissertation Proposal
Reference(s): WPYD Ch1
Module 2
Writing Purpose Statements, Research Questions, and Hypotheses
Reference(s): WPYD Ch2
WEEK 2
Module 3
Writing the Review of Literature for Your Dissertation Proposal
Reference(s): WPYD Ch3
Module 4
The First Part of Your Dissertation Research Method
Reference(s): WPYD Ch4
WEEK 3
Module 5
Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods
Reference(s): WPYD Ch5-6
Module 6
Mixed Methods Research Designs
Reference(s): WPYD Ch7
WEEK 4
Module 7
Dissertation Prospectus Writing
Reference(s): N/A
Module 8
Dissertation Prospectus Writing
Reference(s): N/A
WEEK 5
Module 9
Dissertation Prospectus Writing
Reference(s): N/A
Module 10
Dissertation Prospectus Writing
Reference(s): N/A
WEEK 6
Module 11
Dissertation Prospectus Writing
Reference(s): N/A
Module 12
Dissertation Prospectus Writing
Reference(s): N/A
WEEK 7
Module 13
Revision
Reference(s): N/A
Module 14
Revision
Reference(s): N/A
PROFESSIONALISM
WEIGHT: 10.0%
DEADLINE: 23:59 (GMT+0) on Sunday of Week 7
All students are expected to participate in all types of classroom activities. Regular attendance is required in order to maximize the number of opportunities to engage in classroom activities. Marks are based on the quality of the contributions made rather than the quantity of posts submitted, comments made in class, etc.
Students are encouraged to exchange contact information and support one another should any classes be missed. They are advised to contact the course instructor about any concerns they may have.
DISSERTATION PROPOSAL PROSPECTUS
WEIGHT: 10.0%
DEADLINE: 23:59 (GMT+0) on Sunday of Week 7
General Information
This must be 20-24 pages (approximately five thousand to six thousand words) not including references, title page, and appendix. The purpose of this assessment is to determine the level of comprehension and mastery of the material covered over seven weeks, focusing on the practical aspects of the course. The deadline to submit this assessment is always on Sunday at 23:59 (GMT+0) of Week 7. The grade is stored in the online grade book. As only one attempt per piece of coursework is allowed, it is highly recommended that students review all course materials and complete some test preparation tasks before attempting the graded assessment.
Description
This task allows students to develop a substantive prospectus of their dissertation topic with notes on further research or information they need to finalize decisions and/or begin writing. The prospectus should include a clearly stated topic and lines of possible research questions; a summary of the literature that informs and shapes your understanding of the topic and your approach to studying it; a proposed research design, including methodology, data collection, and data analysis procedures; and, the significance and relevance of this topic for the area of research and its potential implications.
PARTICIPATION POLICY
All students are required to participate in all classroom activities, attend classes regularly, and prepare before classes for classroom activities that require advance preparation. Students need to fully appreciate that good attendance results in more opportunities to engage in quality participation, which, in turn, results in a more thorough acquisition of subject knowledge and higher participation grades.
Participation in classroom discussions and other types of activities indicates that students have read the assigned readings. Grades will not be based on the number of posts submitted or comments made in the classroom but on the overall quality of contributions to discussions.
If a student is unable to attend 3 or more classes, he/she may be asked to complete additional assignments to complete the course.
Modes of Attendance
For the portions of the course that take place over Microsoft Teams: Students are required to arrive on time and engage appropriately with their fellow students, their teacher(s) and course materials. They must attend with a functional web camera and microphone, have the latest version of Microsoft Teams installed on their computers, avoid attending via a mobile phone or web browser, and have all necessary materials to hand. Also, their cameras must be always switched on, except for occasions when privacy becomes a necessity. In addition, they must be appropriately attired, attend in an environment that will not distract them, their fellow students or their teacher(s), especially avoiding attending while in a vehicle, whether moving or stationary.
For the on-campus portions of the course: The mandatory on-campus session meets as per the AUS Campus Schedule. Good attendance is required to earn credits and pass the course. Students are not permitted to arrive late for class or leave class early. Students traveling from far away locations must plan accordingly, giving themselves plenty of time to arrive by the start of class.
Classroom Expectations
Classes start and end on time, with late entry or reentry allowed only under exceptional circumstances. All phones and electronic devices must be turned off for the duration of a class.
GRADING
Students are expected to read assigned materials prior to class. Class discussions are based on their reading of these materials and their reflections on what they have learned and how these relate to their experiences. Assignments are intended to encourage students’ reflection on and synthesis of assigned topics and course discussions.
Assessments are listed in the course syllabus and are due by the stipulated deadlines. No assessment will be accepted after the day following the day it is due. If an assessment submission is one day late, it will receive an automatic reduction in grade of one letter (for example from an A to a B). After that, no late work will be accepted, and the student will receive an F grade for the assessment.
Late submission of papers must be approved in advance.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY
Students are responsible for understanding the University Policies and how to use resources appropriately. Violations of academic integrity are taken very seriously. Students should revisit the materials on the Orientation session to review important information pertaining to academic citation and referencing rules.
STUDENT WELFARE AND PRIVACY POLICY
The university is committed to student welfare and accommodates students with disabilities and those who fall ill. Disability Services (DS) is responsible for accommodating students with disabilities. A student who wishes to be granted a special arrangement due to a disability or illness must request it through DS. Instructors cannot grant such requests without prior DS approval. DS should be contacted as soon as possible to avoid delays in the provision of such an arrangement.
Because the university takes student privacy very seriously, any medical documentation to support a request for an arrangement to accommodate any special needs connected with a disability or illness should be provided directly to DS. If a student misses any classes due to a short-term illness, he/she should notify his/her instructor, but avoid the inclusion of a doctor's note. Academic staff will not request, accept, or review doctor's notes or other forms of medical documentation. For more information, email DS@TheAUS.us.
USE OF COURSE MATERIALS AND LECTURES
Ethical considerations restrict how course materials and lectures may be used. Students may not post, publish, sell, or otherwise publicly distribute course materials without the written permission of the course instructor. Such materials include, but are not limited to, lecture notes, lecture slides, video and audio recordings, various types of assignments, examinations, other students’ work, and answer keys. In addition, students are not permitted to use materials prepared by faculty or students for courses that have previously taken place. These materials include, but are not limited to, case write-ups, Research Papers, summaries of readings, answers to Problem Sets, and answers to Academic Discussion topics. Furthermore, making video or audio recordings of class sessions for one’s own use without written permission from the instructor is not permitted. Infringements of the above-listed rules are taken seriously and may lead to disciplinary action, including a requirement to withdraw.
WEEKLY CLASS MEETINGS AND SYLLABUS
Additional information can be found on the course website.
Please note: the syllabus may be modified prior to and during a course, including updates to assignments and additional material.