ENG 6005: Dissertation Design in Texts & Technology

Fall 2025 • Dr. Anastasia Salter

  • Instructor: Dr. Anastasia Salter
  • Email: anastasia@ucf.edu
  • Office: Trevor Colbourn Hall Room 236
  • Office Hours: Tuesday 2:00 - 5:00 PM
  • Class Time: Tuesdays 6:00 - 7:50 PM
  • Location: Trevor Colbourn Hall Room 211
  • Credits: 3 Units

Overview

Course Description

Preparation for the initial stages of dissertation development, including planning, research question development, and methodology determination. This course is designed to support doctoral students in the Texts & Technology program as they transition from coursework to independent research. Students will develop the foundational skills and knowledge necessary to begin their dissertation journey, including understanding what a dissertation is and isn’t, exploring organization and project management strategies, and building expertise in research methodologies relevant to their chosen field of study.

Prerequisite(s): ENG 6812 or ENC 6720 or DIG 6825 or HIS 6159 or C.I.

Course Objectives

In this course, students will:

  • Learn about what a dissertation is and isn’t
  • Explore organization and project management strategies for dissertation writing
  • Build from previous research methods training to gain depth in a specific method
  • Network with other students at the dissertation stage
  • Gain basic familiarity with seeking research funding
  • Develop a clear research question and methodology for their dissertation project
  • Create a comprehensive literature review in their area of study
  • Practice presenting their research ideas to academic audiences

Materials and Texts

Required Text

Foss, Sonja K. Destination Dissertation: A Traveler’s Guide to a Done Dissertation. Third edition. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2025.

  • Belcher, Wendy Laura. Writing Your Journal Article in Twelve Weeks, Second Edition: A Guide to Academic Publishing Success. Second edition. Chicago ; London: University of Chicago Press, 2019.
  • Single, Peg Boyle. Demystifying Dissertation Writing: A Streamlined Process from Choice of Topic to Final Text. Stylus Publishing, LLC, 2009.
  • Jensen, Joli. Write No Matter What: Advice for Academics. University of Chicago Press, 2017.
  • Saldaña, Johnny. The Coding Manual for Qualitative Researchers. Fourth edition. Thousand Oaks, California: SAGE Publications Ltd, 2021.

Additional readings will be provided through Webcourses and will vary based on students’ individual research interests and methodological approaches.

Evaluation and Grading

Points Assignment Summary Due Date
5 Academic Activity Verification - Complete the brief survey posted on Webcourses as soon as possible to confirm your enrollment in the course. As this is required by the university, please attend to it as soon as possible at the start of classes. August 19
10 Primary Reading List - In consultation with their adviser and me, students will compile a custom reading list that provides a deep grounding in the primary field of their dissertation. September 23
15 Dissertation Pre-Proposal - Students will write a 1-2 page pre-proposal explaining the problem, research question, research design, categories of literature, significance, and chapter outline for their proposed dissertation. September 30
15 Methods Section - Students will write a draft of the methods section of their prospectus, clearly articulating the method, data, and analysis. October 14
15 Literature Review - Students will submit a literature review that synthesizes the sources on their custom reading list. November 4
20 Prospectus Presentation - Students will present their dissertation prospectus to the class, receiving feedback from peers and instructor. November 18-25
20 Short Prospectus Draft - Students will submit a short draft of their dissertation prospectus, incorporating updated versions of their previous assignments and feedback into a cohesive document. December 5

Total: 100 points

Students can access their grades and feedback at any time using the Grade Book function of Webcourses. All assignments will be submitted through Webcourses. Plan on checking the site at least twice a week for updates and assignment information. Grades are calculated out of 100 following a standard letter scale.

Late work is accepted without penalty through one week after the assignment deadline. If circumstances require extension beyond that deadline, please reach out to the instructor immediately. As assignments throughout the course are designed to build on the previous exercise, assignments must be completed in sequence.

There is no extra credit work available in this class. Grades will be available through Webcourses and updated regularly.

Course Structure

This course meets weekly on Tuesdays from 6:00-7:50 PM in Trevor Colbourn Hall Room 211. The course is structured as a mixed-mode seminar with a focus on developing your dissertation through iterative writing assignments.

Office hour assistance is available both through messages on Webcourses and in-person meetings during scheduled office hours (Tuesday 2:00-5:00 PM) in TCH 236.

Students will need access to a reliable internet connection and computer for accessing course materials, submitting assignments, and participating in online components of the course. All course materials will be available through Webcourses, and students should plan to check the site regularly for updates and assignment information.

Weekly Schedule

Detailed schedule may be adjusted based on student needs and progress.

Week 1 (August 19): Introduction and Course Overview

  • Course introductions and expectations
  • What is a dissertation? Setting realistic goals
  • Introduction to dissertation writing as a process
  • Reading: Foss, Chapter 1
  • Reading: Davis, Gordon B., Clyde A. Parker, and Detmar W. Straub. Writing the Doctoral Dissertation: A Systematic Approach. Third edition. Ch 2
  • Due: Academic Activity Verification

Week 2 (August 26): Finding Your Research Question

Week 3 (September 2): Research Methods Review

Week 4 (September 9): Project Management and Organization

Week 5 (September 16): Literature Review Fundamentals

Week 6 (September 23): The Pre-Proposal Workshop

Week 7 (September 30): Methodology Deep Dive

  • Advanced methodological considerations
  • Data collection strategies
  • Reading: Foss, Chapter 7
  • Reading: Saldaña, Johnny. The Coding Manual for Qualitative Researchers. Fourth edition. Ch 2
  • Reading: Friese, Susanne. “How to Make the Best of Codes in ATLAS.ti”. ATLAS.ti
  • Due: Dissertation Pre-Proposal

Week 8 (October 7): Writing Workshop - Methods Section

Week 9 (October 14): Mid-Semester Check-in

Week 10 (October 21): Funding and Professional Development

  • Introduction to research funding opportunities
  • Grant writing basics
  • Conference presentations and academic networking
  • Reading: Foss, Chapter 10
  • Reading: Kelsky, Karen. The Professor Is In: The Essential Guide To Turning Your Ph.D. Into a Job. Ch 51 and 52 (PDF)
  • Reading: Bentley, Lisa Patrick. “Grant-Writing Tips for Graduate Students”. The Chronicle of Higher Education

Week 11 (October 28): Literature Review Workshop

Week 12 (November 4): Presentation Skills

Week 13 (November 11): Final Preparation for Presentations

  • Presentation rehearsals and feedback
  • Final touches on prospectus materials
  • Q&A preparation strategies
  • Reading: Foss, Chapter 13
  • Reading: Miller, Alison B. Finish Your Dissertation Once and for All! Ch 6
  • Reading: MacPhail, Theresa. “The No-Fail Secret to Writing a Dissertation”. ChronicleVitae

Week 14 (November 18): Prospectus Presentations

Week 15 (November 25): Prospectus Presentations (continued)

  • Student prospectus presentations
  • Peer feedback and discussion
  • Group Two: Prospectus Presentation
  • Next steps in the dissertation process

Finals Week (December 5): Short Prospectus Draft Due

  • Due: Short Prospectus Draft - Complete draft of dissertation prospectus incorporating all previous assignments and feedback

Schedule subject to modification based on class needs and progress.