DPLS 730 Spring 09 Proposal Seminar
Gonzaga University Doctoral Program in Leadership Studies
DPLS 730: Proposal Seminar 3 credits Fall 2009
Class times: five sessions as a whole class
Fri 6-9pm Jan 16, 30 Feb 27 Mar 20 Apr 3
--and at least 1 appointment individually with instructor (more, if warranted)
Dr. Shann Ferch
Office hours: by appointment, Office # 228 Tilford
Phone: 509-323-3490
School and Department Theme Statement:
The Doctoral Department in Leadership Studies and the School of Professional Studies at Gonzaga University seek to build "people for others," people able to define their own sense of identity, live within a moral framework, and articulate and advance social justice.
Course Overview:
The dissertation provides leaders the opportunity to gain new knowledge which, in the context of scientific research, can deepen understandings of self, community, and world. Self-reflection and a form of humble and critical depth in relation to self and the topic of study is often the result of openness and perseverance with regard to the research and writing process. This class includes a discussion of basic premises regarding scientific writing and research. Different ways of knowing become apparent through analyzing two predominant social science research paradigms: quantitative and qualitative. These two research paradigms provide a framework for reviewing various research methods and related theory development. The primary component of this course is the development of rigorous, systematic writing skills and a rich understanding of the research process.
Course Objectives and Goals:
This course promotes the understanding of:
1. how we learn (gain new meanings) from research;
2. general principles of scholarly work
3. structuring, writing, and editing chapters 1, 2, and 3 of the dissertation
Texts for the Course:
American Psychological Association APA Publication Manual, most recent edition
Becker Writing for Social Scientists
Gonzaga Doctoral Studies But I've Never Written a Dissertation Before...
Locke, Spirduso, & Silverman Proposals that Work
Learning Activities and Evaluation:
Grades will be based
50% In class participation (preparation, collaboration, willingness)
50% Written work (drafts of chapters 1, 2, and 3 of the dissertation)
All written work is graded with regard to three equally-weighted elements:
Creativity--writing style, writing voice, arrangement of thoughts and arguments, etc.
Construction--structure, grammar, clarity, simplicity, etc.
Critical Thought--depth, skill of argument, density of critical judgment, etc.
Doctoral level work is of highest quality both in content and presentation. Grades are assigned as follows:
A 95-100% B+ 85-89% C+ 70-74%
A- 90-94% B 80-84% C Not acceptable at Ph. D. level B- 75-79%
Assignments to be completed by the end of the course:
1. a strong draft of chapters 1, 2, and 3 of the dissertation
2. a sense of confidence regarding the proposal process
Schedule of Class Topics
Session Topic
1 a. Introduction to course
b. Overview of research process
c. discuss Chapter 1 of the dissertation
d. Basics of scientific writing
2 a. Writing skills/dialogue
b. discuss Chapter 2 of the dissertation
3 a. Writing skills/dialogue
b. discuss Chapter 3 of the dissertation
4 a. Writing skills/dialogue
b. discussion of Chapters 1, 2, and 3
c. The defense & the done dissertation, possibly guest speakers
5 a. Writing skills/dialogue
b. Mock proposal defense
c. Celebration of work well done
Schedule for when each assignment is due:
(look at this often to keep yourself ready for each upcoming assignment)
__________________________________________________________
Session Assignment Due
1 First three pages of chapters 1, 2, & 3
2 Revised, first three pgs of chs 1, 2, & 3
First draft of chapter 1
3 Revised, first three pgs of chs 1, 2, & 3
Revised, draft of chapter 1
First draft of chapter 2
4 Revised, draft of chapter 2
First draft of chapter 3
5 Revised draft of chapter 3
Revised, draft of chapters 1, 2, and 3
Readiness for mock proposal defense
**note:
-at the start of each class I hope to return work completed the previous class
-with each chapter I will look it over broadly to be sure you are on a good track; specific comments for honing your writing skills will be made only on the first three pages of each chapter, and you will be expected to implement such comments throughout the work
As of 2/2/2009 by T. Schlaitzer
