Updated:September2019

HandbookPhDinTheatreandPerformanceStudies

PhDHandbook-[2]

TableofContentsProgramDescription.......................................................................................................................................................................3AdministrativeStructureoftheSchoolofTheatre,Dance,andPerformanceStudies(TDPS).......................3

II.RequirementsforthePhD............................................................................................................................................................5ProgramDesignandDuration.....................................................................................................................................................5Example4-yeartimeline...........................................................................................................................................................6

GeneralInformation........................................................................................................................................................................7Residency........................................................................................................................................................................................7Firstsemesterandyear-endreviews..................................................................................................................................7Probationanddismissal............................................................................................................................................................8Advisorsandchairs.....................................................................................................................................................................8

Course&CreditRequirements...................................................................................................................................................8Mandatorycoursework.............................................................................................................................................................8Additionalcoursework...........................................................................................................................................................10THET899:DoctoralDissertationResearch....................................................................................................................10Incompletes.................................................................................................................................................................................11

Production/PerformanceRequirement...............................................................................................................................11PhDComprehensiveExamination..........................................................................................................................................11StepI:SelectaComprehensiveExaminationCommittee........................................................................................12StepII:SubmitaworkingCompsbibliographytothecommittee.......................................................................12StepIII:TaketheComps........................................................................................................................................................13StepIV:Passanoralexamination......................................................................................................................................13

QualifyingExaminationandAdvancementtoCandidacy:4steps...........................................................................14StepI:Formadissertationcommittee............................................................................................................................14StepII:TaketheQualifyingExamination,whichconsistsoftwoparts(theLiteratureReviewandtheDissertationProspectus).......................................................................................................................................................14

WritingtheDissertation.............................................................................................................................................................17DefendingtheDissertation........................................................................................................................................................17

III.AssistantshipsandResearchFunding................................................................................................................................17IV.ProspectusGuidelines................................................................................................................................................................18V.“Script”forDissertationOralDefense..................................................................................................................................20VI.GraduateStudentActivityReport.........................................................................................................................................21

PhDHandbook-[3]

I.GeneralInformationProgramDescriptionThePhDisthesignaturedegreeforadvancedintellectualinquiry.Itprovidesthemechanismforcreatingnewknowledgeandthenextgenerationofknowledgeproducers.1ThedoctoralprograminTheatreandPerformanceStudiesattheUniversityofMarylandisaninterdisciplinarycourseofstudythatpreparesstudentsforcareersbothinsideandoutsideofacademia,andiscommittedtoarigorousexplorationofboththeatreandperformancestudies.

Eachfacultymemberintheprogramisaleadingscholarintheirareaofspecialization,andeachbringsadiverseapproachtoscholarshipandteaching.Yettheprogram’sprimarystrengthderivesfromtheimpressivecohesionandintegrationofthefaculty’steachingandresearchinterests.Weareuniqueinthattheprogramcombinestheatrehistory,dramaturgy,dance,andperformancestudies.Studentsreceivehigh-levelinstructioninhowtoconducthistoricalresearch,dramaturgicalanalysisandapplication,andin-depthanalysisusingperformanceasacriticalparadigmforexaminingsocial,politicalandculturalevents.Regardlessofastudent’sparticularinterestandspecialty,theygraduatefromtheprogramwiththeskillstointegrateandutilizethesethreekeyareasandbecomebetterscholarsandeducators.Facultymembersalsoworkinternationallyand/orwithinternationalgroupsindifferentaspectsoftheatreandperformancestudies,andgraduatestudentsareincreasinglytakingtheirresearchabroad.

AdministrativeStructureoftheSchoolofTheatre,Dance,andPerformanceStudies(TDPS)a. TheDirectorofTDPSisappointedbytheDeanofArtsandHumanitiesandisthechiefadministrative

officeroftheSchool.ThepersonholdingthisofficehasthefinalsayonallfinancialdecisionsinvolvingTDPSfunds—includinggraduateassistantships,travelfunds,andmatchingfundsforawardsfromotherunitsoftheuniversity—andapprovestheassignmentsforwinterandsummertermteaching.

b. TheDirectorofGraduateStudies(DGS)isafacultymemberappointedbytheDirectorofTDPS.The

DGSactsasthechiefadvocateandrepresentativeofallgraduateprogramsinTDPSandworkswiththefacultytoensurethateachofourfourgraduateprogramsisincompliancewithallpoliciesandproceduresestablishedbytheuniversityandtheGraduateSchool.TheDGS,inconjunctionwiththeCoordinatorofGraduateServices,makesannualreportsonallTDPSgraduateprogramstotheGraduateSchool,theOfficeoftheDeanofArtsandHumanities,andtheDirectorofTDPS.TheHeadsofthegraduateprogramsinTDPSreporttotheDGS.

WithinTDPS,theDGScollectsdataonplacements,publications,productionwork,awardsandhonors,andotherdataimportanttothepromotionofthegraduateprogramssotheDGSmustbeinformedofallissuesrelatingtoastudent’sprogresstowardsthedegree.TheDGSoverseesandapproves

1CharlesCaramello,“TheCentennialVision—GraduateEducationatUMD:ResearchandProfessionalPracticeforaGlobalEconomy”(publicationoftheGraduateSchool,UniversityofMaryland,CollegePark,October14,2014).Availablefrom:http://gradschool.umd.edu/sites/gradschool.umd.edu/files/uploads/centennial_vision_for_graduate_education_at_umd_page_1.jpg.

PhDHandbook-[4]

appointmentstoThesisandDissertationCommittees(inaccordancewiththepoliciesoutlinedintheUniversity’sGraduateHandbook)andapprovesnominationsofthesisanddissertationcommitteereports.Tothisend,theDGSactsinconsultationandcollaborationwithanindividualstudent’sadvisorinthenominationofcommitteesforthesesordissertations,requestsvotebygraduatefacultyforexternalmembershiponthesis/dissertationcommittees,andcoordinatessubmissionofpaperworktoGraduateSchool.TheDGSsignsoffonallrelevantformssenttotheGraduateSchoolorRegistrar’sOffice,includingAdvancetoCandidacyformsandWaivers.TheDGSreviewsfellowshipgrantproposals,andcoordinatesaward/scholarshipsubmissionstoGraduateSchoolandARHU.TheDGSprovideslettersandrankingsforGraduatestudentstravelrequests.TheDGSalsoservesasamediatorindisputesamonggraduatestudentsandbetweengraduatestudentsandmembersofthegraduatefacultyand,whenneeded,theDGSformsacommitteetoadjudicatedisputes.

c. TheCoordinatorofGraduateServices(CGS)isafulltimestaffmemberwhokeepsrecordsrelatedtothegraduateprogramsandistheprimaryfacilitatorforhelpingstudentsgettheirpaperworksubmittedontime.TheCGSworkscloselywiththeDGStocoordinateallcontactbetweenTDPSgraduatestudentsandtheGraduateSchool,theCollegeofArtsandHumanities,theBursar’sOffice,theRegistrar’sOffice,andtheuniversityadministration.AnystudentwishingtheassistanceoftheCGSinsubmittingpaperworkmustsendtheformsatleastthreedaysinadvance,musthavethemcompletelyfilledout,andmustfollowuptoensurethatthematerialsweresubmittedandreceivedattheirfinaldestination.

d. TheHeadoftheHistory/TheoryAreaisafacultymemberappointedbytheDirectorofTDPS.TheHeadservesaschiefadvocateandSchoolrepresentativefortheTheatreHistory/TheoryProgram.TheHeadisthechiefsupervisorofboththeundergraduateandgraduateprograms.Sheorheadministerstheprogram’sbudget,assignsgraduateassistantshipduties,monitorsthecurriculumandadvisingprocesses,andsupervisesadjunctfaculty.SheorhemonitorsTheatreHistory/TheoryProgramfacultyandTeachingAssistantcompliancewithallsyllabusrequirementsandundergraduatestudentpoliciesforUniversity.TheHeadmayalsoserveastheDirectoroftheMAprogram,thoughthepositionshaveseparateresponsibilities.

e. TheDirectoroftheMA/PhDProgramisafacultymemberappointedbytheDirectorofTDPS.TheDirectoroftheMA/PhDProgramisresponsiblefortheoperationofboththeMAandPhDprograms.SheorheservesasthechiefadvocateandSchoolrepresentativefortheMA/PhDTheatreandPerformanceStudies.TheDirectorcoordinatesassignmentofgraduateteachingassistantshipswiththeHeadoftheTheatreHistory/TheoryProgram.SheorHeleadsrecruitmentefforts,managestheprocessoffacultyselectionofacceptedcandidates,workswiththeHeadoftheHistory/TheoryAreaandtheDGStodeterminefinancialoffersmadetoincomingstudents,andcoordinatesthesendingofofferletterswiththeCGS.TheDirectoroftheMA/PhDProgramservesastheadvisorforallfirst-yearstudents.TogetherwithTheatreHistory/TheoryProgramfaculty,theHeadoftheMA/PhDprogramconductsendofthesemesterreviewsofstudentswithrespecttotheiracademicstandingandprogressintheMA/PhDProgram,theirgraduatestudentteaching,andtheirgeneralassistantshipduties.TheDirectoralsoensuresthatallGraduateStudentActivityReportsaresubmittedtotheDGSandtheCGSfollowingthereviews.

PhDHandbook-[5]

II.RequirementsforthePhD

Eachgraduatestudentintheprogramisresponsibleformeetingalldegreerequirements,forsubmittingallpaperwork(withallrequiredsignatures)bytherequireddeadlines,andforconfirmingthatallpaperworkhasbeenproperlyreceivedbytheGraduateSchoolorRegistrar’sOffice.Thestudent’sadvisor,theDirectorofthePhDprogram,theCGS,andtheDGScanassist,butthestudentisultimatelyresponsibleforensuringthatallrequirementsaremetandthatallpaperworkissubmittedontime.DeadlinesandformsmayalwaysbefoundontheGraduateSchool’swebsite(www.ter.ps/deadlines).

ProgramDesignandDurationThePhDPrograminTheatreandPerformanceStudiesisdesignedtobecompletedinfouryearsoffull-timestudy.Thetimelineforsuchacourseofstudyispresentedonthefollowingpage.Financialsupportpackagesnormallycoverthistimeperiod.Whenthecomplexitiesofdissertationresearchandthechallengesofeffectivewritingextendthecompletiontimebeyondthis,studentswillbeassistedinapplyingforfundingfromothersourcestocoveradditionalyears.Theprogramrequiresaminimumof58credithoursbeyondtheMAorMFAdegree,40hoursofwhichmustbetakenoncampus.StudentsarenormallyadvancedtocandidacyintheirthirdyearatwhichpointtheyareclassifiedasABD(“allbutdissertation”).Thistimelinemustbefollowedforstudentstobeclassifiedas“makingsatisfactoryprogress”towardstheirdegrees.However,inrecognitionoftheeffectsthatchildbirth,adoption,illness,andcaringforincapacitateddependents(suchaschildren,illorinjuredpartners,oragingparents)mayhaveonthetimeandenergythatgraduatestudentscandevotetotheirprograms,theGraduateSchoolallowsuptoatotaloffiveyearstoadvancetocandidacy.Failuretoadvancewithinfiveyearswillresultinthestudent’sremovalfromtheprogram.Studentswhomustextendtheirtimetoadvancetocandidacyareadvisedtocheckthe“Full-TimeStatus”sectionforthewebsiteoftheOfficeoftheRegistrartoseethedifferencebetweencourseunitsandcoursecredithourstoensuretheydonotfallbelowfulltimestatus.TheGraduateSchoolalsorequiresthataPhDbecompletedwithinnineyearsofentryintotheprogram.Afternineyears,creditsearnedfromcourseworkareinvalidatedandthestudentmuststartover.Incertaincircumstances,studentsmayapplyforaone-yearextension,andmayapplyforthistwotimes(thusallowingamaximumtwo-yearextension).Iftwoarerequestedandgranted,thiscouldpotentiallyallowuptoelevenyearstocompletethedegree.

PhDHandbook-[6]

Example4-yeartimelineBluetextinthetablebelowlinkstotherelevantportionoftheHandbook.

• Complete20credithours(CHrs)ofgraduatecourseswithagradeof“B”orbetter• Beapprovedforcontinuationatbothend-of-semesterreviews

• Complete20CHrsofgraduatecourseswithagradeof“B”orbetter• AssembleaCompscommittee(threefacultymembers)• IdentifyaPrimaryResearchAdvisor(futuredissertationcommitteechair)and

potentialdissertationtopicbytheendofthefallsemester• TakeTHET889asa“BibliographyandLitReviewPreparation”withtheir

PrimaryResearchAdvisortogetreadyfortheComprehensiveExaminations• Beapprovedforcontinuationattheyear-endreview

• Complete3CHrsofTHET898inthefalland3CHrsinthespring(assistantscompleteanadditional3CHrsintheformofa600-levelTHETseminareachterm,asdiscussedbelow)

• PasstheComprehensiveExaminationduringthefallsemester• AssembleadissertationcommitteeandidentifyapossibleDean’s

Representative• PasstheQualifyingExaminationduringwinterorspringsemesterandadvance

tocandidacy.Beginwritingthedissertation.• CompletetheProduction/PerformanceRequirement• Beapprovedforcontinuationattheyear-endreview

• Complete6CHrsofTHET899eachterm(assistantscompleteanadditional3CHrsintheformofa600-levelTHETseminareachterm,asdiscussedbelow)

• Finishresearch• Writethedissertationandsubmitafinalcopytothecommittee• Successfullydefendthedissertation• SubmitthedissertationtotheGraduateSchool

PhDHandbook-[7]

GeneralInformationResidencyTDPSrecommendsstudentsestablishresidencyinthestateofMarylandassoonaspossible.Requirements,procedures,andthePetitionforChangeofClassificationforTuitionPurposesformmaybefoundhere(www.ter.ps/ResPet).EstablishingresidencyinMaryland(thoughnotinDCorVirginia)allowsstudentstopayin-statetuitionshouldtheyexhaustorlosefunding.Whilegraduateassistantsareeligibleforin-statestatus,theirclassificationwillnotbechangeduntiltheysubmitthenecessarypetitionpaperwork.Moreinformationisavailablehere(www.ter.ps/ResClass).Shouldastudentmovemorethan100milesfromcampusbeforecompletingthedissertation,theyshouldapplyforaWaiverofMandatoryFeesusingthePetitionforWaiverofRegulationsform(www.ter.ps/fees).Firstsemesterandyear-endreviewsAnystudentwhohasnotyetadvancedtocandidacyisrequiredtomeetwithfacultyattheendoftheacademicyeartodiscusstheirstandingintheprogram.First-yearstudentsarerequiredtomeetwiththefacultyattheendoftheirfirstfallsemester,aswell.Priortothemeeting,eachstudentmustsubmitaGraduateStudentActivityReporttotheDirectorofthePhDProgram,whowillthensubmitittotheDGSandtheCGS(asamplereportisincludedattheendofthehandbook).Thesereviewsareintendedtoinformstudentswhethertheyaremakingsatisfactoryprogresstowardsthedegree,aswellastheacceptabilityofanyassistantshipwork.Anystudentwhoisfounddeficientintwoconsecutivereviewsmaylosetheirfundingandmaybeaskedtoleavetheprogram.Eachsecond-yearstudentwillbenotifiedattheyear-endreviewwhethertheywillbeallowedtocontinueintheprogramandtaketheComprehensiveExamination(Comps)inthethirdyear.

Attheendofeveryyearuntilgraduation,PhDstudentsarerequiredtoturninaGraduateStudentActivityReportthatprovidesinformationontheirprogresstowardsthedegree,theirprofessionaldevelopment,andtheiraccomplishments.Thesereportsareessentialfortrackingeachstudent’sprogressandcollectingdatarequiredbytheuniversity.AttheendofeveryyearthatastudentreceivesfundingfromTDPS,thefacultywillalsomeetwiththemtoreviewtheirclassroomperformance,theirprogresstowardsthedegree,andtheirworkasassistantsorholdersoffellowships.(First-yearstudentswillhavetwosuchreviews,oneattheendofeachsemester.Studentsnotonfundingarereviewedeachyearuntiltheyareadvancedtocandidacy.)

Ifthereareanyconcernsregardingastudent’sperformancethefacultywillconveythoseconcernstothestudentandproposeactionstoresolvethem.Incertaincases,thestudentmaybeofficiallyputonprobation.Theyear-endreviewsareintendedtoensurethatallstudentsknowhowtheyaredoingintheprogramand,iftheyneedtomakecorrections,thattheyhavetheopportunitytodoso.Shouldastudentcontinuetohaveissuesinasubsequentreview,thefacultymayrecommendthatthestudent’sfundingnotberenewed,thatthestudentleavetheprogram,or,inrarecases,theymayinitiatetheprocessforhavingthestudent’sparticipationintheprogramterminated.

PhDHandbook-[8]

ProbationanddismissalAsindicatedinthecontractlettersignedbyeverygraduateassistant,failuretoperformassigneddutiessatisfactorilyisgroundsforalossoffunding.Whenpossible,astudentwillbeputonprobationforonetermandwillreceivealetterstatingthegroundsfortheprobationandwhatactionsmustbetakenbytheendoftheprobationaryperiod.Fundingwillcontinueaslongasthetermsoftheprobationaremet.Thisisnotrequired,however,ifthefacultydeterminesthatthestudent’scontinuationasanassistantwouldhavenegativeconsequencesforotherstudentsintheprogram.Insuchcasesthelossoffundingwillbeimmediate.Studentswhofailtomakeadequateprogresstowardsthedegreeorwhohavenotmaintaineda“B”averagecanbeputonasemester-oryear-longacademicprobationandwillreceivealetterstatingthegroundsfortheacademicprobationandwhatactionsmustbetakenbytheendoftheprobationaryperiod.Suchprobationcanleadtoanon-renewaloffundingandarecommendationthatthestudentleavetheprogram.Shouldthetermsoftheprobationnotbemet,thestudentwillbewithdrawnfromtheprogram.Inaccordancewithuniversityguidelines,thefacultyreservestherighttorequest,atanytime,thewithdrawalofastudentwhocannotordoesnotmaintaintherequiredstandardofscholarship,orwhosecontinuanceintheuniversitywouldbedetrimentaltotheirhealthorthehealthofothers,orwhoseconductisnotsatisfactorytotheauthoritiesoftheuniversity.AdditionalinformationaboutthedismissalofstudentsmaybefoundintheCodeofStudentConduct(www.ter.ps/code).

AdvisorsandchairsTheDirectorofthePhDprogramservesastheacademicadvisorforallfirst-yearstudents.Bytheendofthefallsemesteroftheirsecondyear,eachPhDstudentmustaskamemberofthecorePhDfacultyinTDPStoserveastheirPrimaryResearchAdvisor.ThatfacultymemberwillguidethestudentthroughtheComprehensiveExaminations.Uponcompletionofthoseexamsthestudentwillselectthechairoftheirdissertationcommittee.Generally,thePrimaryResearchAdvisorwillalsoserveasthechairofthedissertationcommittee;dependingonhowthestudent’stopicdevelops,however,thismaynotalwaysbethecase.Thechairofadissertationcommitteemaybechangedevenwhileastudentisinthewritingprocess.

Course&CreditRequirementsMandatorycoursework40CHrsoftherequiredminimumof58CHrsrequiredforthePhD,aregenerallytakeninthefirsttwoyearsatarateof10CHrspersemester(three3-CHrcoursesandone1-CHrcourse).Eachstudentmayalsotakeupto4CHrsofcourseworkduringtheshortwinterterm,therebyreducingtheloadinlatersemestersorallowingabroadeningoftheireducation.Graduate-levelcoursesinTDPSarenotavailableinthesummer.StudentswithGraduateAssistantshipsshouldnevertakemorethan10CHrsinanyfallorspringsemesterormorethan4CHrsinanywinterterm,andwillbechargedforanyextracredithoursiftheydoso.

PhDHandbook-[9]

40CHrsmustincludethecourseslistedbelow.(THETisthecatalogdesignationforclassesinTheatreandPerformanceStudies.)

12CHrsfromthefollowingseminars:• THET700:IntroductiontoDoctoralStudiesinTheatre(3CHrs)• THET711:CriticalTheory(3CHrs)

orENGL602:CriticalTheoryandLiteraryCriticism(3CHrs)withapprovalofadvisoror DirectorofthePhDProgram

• THET712:HistoricalResearchMethodsandHistoriographyinTheatre(3CHrs)

• THET713:PerformanceStudies(3CHrs)

12CHrsof600-levelTHETseminars• Studentsshouldtrytotakeatleastoneclassfromeachofthecorefacultymembersinthe

program.

• Onlyoneoftheseclassesmaybeanindependentstudyandthenonlyifnoindependentstudycourseisusedtofulfilltheexternalcourserequirementbelow.(Pleasenotethatthisrestrictionappliesonlyto3CHrclasses.Therearenoindependentstudyrestrictionson1CHrcreditclasses.)

6CHrsof600-levelseminarsfromoutsideofTDPS

• Coursescross-listedwithTHETandtaughtbyTDPSfacultycountasinternal,ratherthanexternalcourses.DANCcoursesarenotconsideredexternalcourses.

• Onlyoneoftheseclassesmaybeanindependentstudyandthenonlyifnoindependentstudycourseisusedfortheinternalcourserequirementabove.(Pleasenotethatthisrestrictionappliesonlyto3CHrclasses.Therearenoindependentstudyrestrictionson1CHrcreditclasses).

6CHrsadditionalcoursework(two3-CHrclasses)• Anyappropriate400-to800-levelcoursesfrominsideoroutsideofTDPS.

1CHrofTHET606:TeachingTheatre

• StudentswhoarenotTAsorwhohavesignificantcollege-levelteachingexperiencecanbeexemptfromthisclassbutmusttakeanother1-CHrclasstoreplaceit.

1CHrofTHET889:DoctoralTutorialinTheatreasaComprehensiveExamBibliographyandQualifyingExamLitReviewPreparationcourse.

• StudentswilltakethisclasswiththeirPrimaryResearchAdvisorinthefourthsemesteroftheircoursework.

Twoadditional1CHrclasses,whichmayincludebutarenotlimitedto:• THET669:IndependentStudy,arepeatableclassgenerallyusedtofillinknowledgegapswhile

preparingfortheComprehensiveExaminations.

PhDHandbook-[10]

• THET889:DoctoralTutorialinTheatre,arepeatableclassgenerallyusedforthecomprehensive’sbibliographyandqualifyingliteraturereview,specialresearch,participationincolloquia,orfillinggapsinknowledge.

• External,1-CHrcolloquiacourses.Recentexamplesinclude:o TheoryColloquiumintheDepartmentofEnglish(ENGL)o GraduateColloquiuminCinemaandTheoryintheSchoolofLanguages,Literature,

andCulture(SLLC);cross-listedwithComparativeLiterature(CMLT)andHistory(HIST)o Medieval&EarlyModernColloquiumintheDepartmentofEnglish(ENGL)o DigitalStudiesintheArtsandHumanitiesColloquiumintheMarylandInstitutefor

TechnologyintheHumanities(MITH)o UniversityTeachingandLearningProgramintheTeachingandLearningCenter(TLTC)

AdditionalcourseworkInadditiontothe40CHrsofcourseworkdescribedabove,thestudentwilltake6CHrsofTHET898:Pre-CandidacyResearch,intheir3rdyear(3CHrsinthefallsemesterand3CHrsinwinterorspringsemesteriftheyhavenotadvancedtocandidacyinthefall.Ifcandidacyisachievedbytheendofwinterterm,thestudentwillautomaticallyberegisteredfor6CHrsofTHET899inthespring–seebelow).EachstudentwithaTDPSassistantshipisstronglyencouragedtotakeatleastoneseminarofferedbyacorefacultymemberduringeachsemester,regardlessoftheircandidacystatus.

Inthefifthandsixthsemesters:• 6CHrsofTHET898:Pre-CandidacyResearchat3CHrseachsemester• 1-3CHrsofTHET888:DoctoralPracticuminTheatre(registeredunderthePrimaryResearch

Advisor’snumber)aretakenbythosestillneedingtodemonstratethattheyhavefulfilledtheProduction/PerformanceRequirement.Studentscandirectaplay,actinaproduction,workasanAssistantDirector,dramaturg,orperformanyothertasksthatdemonstratetheirpreparednesstocontributetotheproductionofaliveperformance.Thisworkbedoneonoroffcampus.

• Graduateassistantstakeanadditional3CHrsofa600-levelTHETseminareachsemester(THET898isnotconsideredaseminar).

• Variousothercoursestakenforpersonalorscholarlydevelopment

THET899:DoctoralDissertationResearchOnceastudentisadvancedtocandidacytheyareautomaticallyregisteredfor6CHrsofTHET899:DoctoralDissertationResearch.Thiscanbeginasearlyasthesixthsemesterbutnormallyappliestotheseventhandeighthsemesters.Automaticregistrationwilloccureveryfallandspringsemesteruntilthedissertationissuccessfullydefended.Thereisnoautomaticregistrationforsummersemesters.StudentsexpectingtograduateinsummermustensuretheymeettheGraduateSchoolrequirementthattheyareregisteredforthisclassduringtheterminwhichtheygraduate.

• Forstudentswhosefinancialaiddoesnotincludeatuitionwaiver,thereisafixedfeeforthisregistration,whichisatalowerratethantheregularcourserate,.

PhDHandbook-[11]

• TheGraduateSchoolrequireseachstudenttohaveaminimumof12CHrsofTHET899completedbeforebeingawardedthePhD.ThereisnoupperlimittothenumberofTHET899CHrsastudentcanhave.

• Becausethisregistrationisautomatic,itisimportantthatthestudentconfirmsthattheyhavebeenregisteredinthesectionassignedtothechairoftheirdissertationcommittee.Itisespeciallyimportanttoconfirmthiswhenthestudentchangestheircommitteechairafteradvancingtocandidacy.

• Anycandidatecantakeupto4additionalCHrseachsemester(beyondthemandatory6CHrsofTHET899).

• StudentsarebilledforstudentfeeswhiletakingTHET899unlesstheyqualifyforawaiver.

IncompletesStudentsareexpectedtocompleteallcoursestheytake.Exceptionalcircumstancesmayleadastudenttorequestanincomplete(“I”)inacourse.IncompletesaregovernedbytheGraduateSchoolIncompleteContract(www.ter.ps/incomplete),whichmustbesignedbyboththestudentandtheinstructorandfiledwiththeCGSandtheDirectorofthePhDProgram.Studentsareexpectedtofinishallrelatedcourseworkbytheendofthefollowingterm:forfallsemesterincompletes,studentshaveuntiltheendofthespringsemester;forspringsemesterincompletes,studentshaveuntilthestartofthenextfallsemester.Underexceptionalcircumstances,studentsmayrequestoneadditionalsemester/termtoclearthe“I”grade,whichwillbeconsideredbythefacultyonacase-by-casebasis.Failuretoclearan“I”gradewithintherequiredperiodwillresultinafailinggrade,whichconstitutesafailuretomakeadequateprogresstowardsthedegree;alongwithotherfactors,thismayaddtothegroundsforalossoffundingorremovalfromtheprogram.Anystudentwithanincompletemustcheckinwiththeiradvisorandtheinstructorofthecourseonaregularbasistodetailwhatactionsarebeingtakentofinishtheincompletecourserequirements.Theiradvisorwillreportonthestudent’sprogresstotheDirectorofthePhDProgram.

Production/PerformanceRequirementDoctoralstudentsoftenentertheprogramwithtrainingandexperienceintheartisticandproductionareasoftheatreandperformance.Studentswithoutsuchtrainingandexperiencemustobtainitbeforeearningthedegreebyenrollinginappropriateclassesorengaginginproductionactivitiesappropriatetotheirskillsandareasofinterest(e.g.,directing,dramaturgy,stagemanagement,film,acting,videoproduction,etc.).Thosewhoundertakeproductionworkmayearnupto3CHrsofTHET888(Seeabove).

PhDComprehensiveExaminationPhDCompsareintendedtoassessastudent’soveralllevelofknowledgeinthefieldsoftheatreandperformancestudies.Theygobeyondtheexamstakenduringcourseworkandaredesignedtotestastudent’sabilitytointegrateknowledgegatheredacrossarangeofclasses.Theysurveythebreadthofastudent’sknowledgeoftheatreandperformancestudiesingeneral,knowledgestudentsareexpectedtoacquireaboveandbeyondwhatiscoveredduringcoursework.

PhDHandbook-[12]

Note:AsofAugust2015theAreaofSpecializationsectionisnolongerpartoftheComps;itisnowpartoftheQualifyingExaminationdescribedbelow.ComprehensiveExamProcess:4StepsStepI:SelectaComprehensiveExaminationCommittee.Thismustbeaccomplishedbythefirstweekofastudent’sfourthsemesterintheprogram.Assoonasthecommitteeisinplace,astudentmustinformtheDGSandCGS.TheCompscommitteewillbechairedbythestudent’sprimaryresearchadvisor,whowillassistthestudentinselectingatleasttwoadditionalfacultymemberstoserveonthecommittee.Thesemustbefacultyfromwhomthestudenthastakencourses.Theprimaryresearchadvisorandcommitteememberswilldevelopthestudent’sCompsquestionsintheareasof:1)thehistoryoftheatreandperformancestudies;2)and,thetheoryoftheatreandperformancestudiesStepII:SubmitaworkingCompsbibliographytothecommittee.Thismustbeaccomplishedbythetenthweekofastudent’sfourthsemesterintheprogram.Eachstudentmustsubmittotheircommittee,aswellastotheDGS,abibliographythatdemonstratesaknowledgeofthebooks,articles,andplaysnecessarytoensurethestudentpossessesacomprehensiveknowledgeofboththeatreandperformancestudies.Thisbibliographywillincludesomeworksthestudenthasreadforclasses,someworksreadindependently,andworksthestudentmustreadbeforetheexam.Thisbibliographywillnotnecessarilyincludeworksthatareproperlypartofthestudent’sAreaofSpecialization(describedbelow),althoughtheremaybesomeoverlap.Studentsshouldbeselectivewhencreatingtheirlists.TheyshouldnotincludeeverybookwrittenaboutGreektheatre,forexample,butshouldlistafewthatareknownforprovidingcomprehensive,reliable,andsignificantinformationonthesubject.Similarly,studentsshouldnotattempttocovereverytheoryofperformancestudies,butshouldfocusonthosethataremostoftencitedintheliteraturetheyhavereadandaremostapplicabletotheirownfutureplaceasatheatre/performancestudiesscholar.Additionally,studentsshouldselectplaysthattheyhavemostoftenseenreferencedelsewhereinthebibliography.Usingthebibliographyasaguide,thecommitteewillhelpthestudentfocustheconceptandscopeof“comprehensiveknowledge”andidentifyadditionalworkstheywantthestudenttoread.Studentsshouldnotincludereadersorentirevolumesintheirlists,butshouldratherlistoriginalreferencesforarticlesorbooks.Forexample,studentsshouldnotlistapassagefromThePresentationofSelfinEverydayLifethatisreprintedinTheGoffmanReader,butshouldratherincludetheoriginalwork.Similarly,ratherthanlistingacriticaltheoryreaderthatincludesselectionsfromPierreBourdieu’swork,astudentwouldlistBourdieu’sTheFieldofCulturalProduction.Bibliographiesmaybeemailedtothestudent’scommitteemembersandtheDGSinMSWordorPDFformat.Thebibliographyshouldincludearound50sourcespersubjectarea.

PhDHandbook-[13]

StepIII:TaketheComps.Theexamsshouldbecompletedbyweeksevenofastudent’sfifthsemesterintheprogram.

Part1:History

ThefirstportionoftheCompstestsastudent’scomprehensiveknowledgeofthehistoryoftheatreandperformancestudies,andisgivenatthestartofastudent’sfifthsemester.(Typically,thisisattheendofSeptemberatthestartofastudent’sthirdyear.)At9:00a.m.onMondayoftheexamweek,3-5questionswillbeemailedtothestudentbytheirprimaryresearchadvisor/chairorbytheCGS.Thestudentwillselectandanswertwoofthequestions.Thestudentwillanswereachquestionin16-18pages(doublespaced,12pointtype,1”margins).Thequestionitselfmustbeincludedatthetopofthefirstpage(singlespaced,initalics).Allpagesmustbeclearlynumberedandproperlyformattedfootnotesshoulddemonstratetheextentofthestudent’sreadingonthesubjectscovered.By9:00a.m.thefollowingMonday,thestudentmustemailboththeessaystotheirfullcommitteeandtotheCGS(whowilllogthereceiptoftheexam).Eachstudentwillalwayshaveafullweektoanswerthequestions(e.g.,iftheexamarrivesatnoononMonday,itwillnotbedueuntilnoonthefollowingMonday).

Part2:Theory

ThesecondportionoftheCompstestsastudent’scomprehensiveknowledgeofthemajortheoriesassociatedwiththeatreandperformancestudies.TheexamistypicallygivenassoonasthestudentsubmitstheessaysfromPartI,thoughstudentshavetheoptionofwaitingoneweekbeforebeginningPartII.Witheitheroption,the3-5questionswillbesenttothestudentby9:00a.m.onMonday,andthestudentmustreturntheiranswersby9a.m.thefollowingMonday.

StepIV:Passanoralexamination.ThismustbeaccomplishedbetweenelevenandthirtyworkingdaysofthecompletionofthesecondportionoftheComps.(Workingdaysdonotincludeweekendsorholidays.)Committeemembersmusthaveaminimumoftenfullworkingdaystoreadtheanswersbeforetheoralexamcanoccur.Theoralexamfurthertestsastudent’scomprehensiveknowledgeofboththehistoryandtheoryoftheatreandperformancestudies.Itwillalsotestastudent’sabilitytodiscuss,explain,elaborate,anddefendtheanswerstheyprovided.Theexaminationlastsninetyminutes.Thestudentisresponsibleforarrangingthedate,time,andlocationattheircommittee’sconvenience.ThestudentisalsoresponsibleforreservingaspacewiththeappropriateTDPSstaff,andfornotifyingboththeDGSandtheCGSoncethedetailshavebeenset.Allmembersofthecommitteemustparticipateintheoralexam.Forthepurposesoftheexam,“participation”includesvideoteleconferencing(withsystemslikeCisco’sJabberorAdobeConnect)orparticipationbyphone.Inrarecasesamemberofthecommitteemayprovidewrittenquestionstobeaskedbyanothermemberofthecommitteeduringtheexam.Suchcasesmustbeclearedwiththestudent’sprimaryresearchadvisor/chairandtheDirectorofthePhDProgram.

PhDHandbook-[14]

QualifyingExaminationandAdvancementtoCandidacy:4stepsStepI:Formadissertationcommittee.Beforetheendofastudent’sfifthsemesterintheprogram,theyshouldhaveselectedadissertationadvisorandstartedtheprocessofdevelopingaresearchtopic.Note:Thestudent’sprimaryresearchadvisor(whochairstheCompscommittee)andtheirdissertationadvisorneednotbethesameperson,thoughtheygenerallyare.Alsoduringthefifthsemester,thestudentneedstonominateadissertationcommitteeconsistingoffivereadersandaDean’sRepresentative.Oncethecommitteeisselected,thestudentmustcompleteaNominationofDissertationCommitteeForm(www.ter.ps/nomination).Thedissertationcommitteeincludesthefollowingmembers:

1. Acommitteechair,selectedfromthecorefacultyofthePhDprogram.2. TwofacultymembersfromthecorefacultyofthePhDprogram.3. OneUMDgraduatefacultymemberfromoutsideofTDPS.

Note:ByspecialpermissionthispersoncanbefromoutsidetheUniversityofMaryland.Outsidefacultymusthavespecialexpertiseinthedissertation’ssubjectareathatisnotavailableamongtheUMDfaculty.TheymustbenominatedandapprovedforSpecialMembershipintheGraduateFacultyoftheUniversityofMarylandandmusteitherbephysicallypresentatthedefenseorvirtuallypresentbywayofaGraduateSchool-approvedteleconferencingtechnology(Skype,GoogleHangouts,etc.doNOTqualify).Therearegenerallyexpensesrelatedtohavingoutsidefacultymemberspresentatadissertationdefenseandthisfundingmustbeapprovedbeforeanyinvitationtojointhedissertationcommitteeisextended.

4. TheDean’sRepresentative,whomustbeanassociateorfullprofessorfromoutsideofTDPS.Note:Thisperson’staskistoensurethatthedissertationdefenseisconductedaccordingtoGraduateSchoolregulations,whichensurethattheprocessisfairtothestudentandupholdsthehighacademicstandardsoftheGraduateSchool.TheDean’sRepresentativeisgenerallyalsoacontentreader,andthereforethefinalvotingmemberofthecommittee.TheDean’sRepresentativecan,however,optnottobeareader(andthereforenottobeavotingmember).Inthiscase,anothervotingmemberisrequired.

5. IftheDean’sRepresentativeoptsnottobeavotingmember,anadditionalreaderandvotingmember,selectedfromthegraduatefacultywithinTDPSorfromoutsideit,isrequired.

StepII:TaketheQualifyingExamination,whichconsistsoftwoparts(theLiteratureReviewandtheDissertationProspectus).TheQualifyingExaminationcommencesatsomepointafterthefirstweekinJanuaryofthestudent’sthirdyearintheprogram,andmustbecompletedinfullbythefirstweekofApril.

PhDHandbook-[15]

StepII,Part1:WriteaLiteratureReview.WiththeLiteratureReview,studentsprovideacriticalsurveyoftheexistingscholarlyliteraturepertainingtotheirareaofspecialization.Itdoesnotduplicatetheliteraturereviewinthedissertationprospectusbutdemonstratesabroaderknowledgeofthefieldthatgivesthedissertationcontext.ThisLiteratureReviewgoesbeyondameresummaryofexistingresearchoranannotatedbibliography.PlacingtheReviewwithinacriticalnarrativearcofapersuasiveanalyticalassessment,thestudentwillidentifyandevaluatetherangeofviewsandapproachesthathavedefinedtheirfieldofspecialization.TheReviewshouldidentifygapsand/ordisagreementsinexistingscholarshipthatmeritfurtherresearchandthatthusprovidethebroadercontextandwarrantfortheworkthatthestudentintendstofocusoninthedissertation.TheLiteratureReviewshouldbe16-20pagesinlength,excludingbibliographyorreferences.Itshouldconsiderbooksaswellasarticles,andwhenappropriate,itshouldbeinterdisciplinaryinscope.TheReviewassessesestablishedtheoryandcriticism.Itshouldaddressquestionsofdisciplinarityandexamineshowafield’sdominantmethodologieshaveshapedtheprioritiesscholarshaveadoptedinthisfield.Inthisrespect,theReviewshouldfirstidentify,synthesize,andhistoricize,andthenofferacriticalassessmentoftheprominentviews,methodologies,andschoolsofthoughtthathavedefinedthestudent’sselectedfieldofspecialization.Itshouldclarifywhyapproacheshavechangedovertimeand/orwhydifferentcriticalapproacheshavehaddifferentprioritiesandwhythosedifferingprioritieshaveyieldeddifferentresults.Finally,theReviewshouldbemapoutaclearcriticalpositioninrelationtothematerialcoveredinit.

StepII,Part2:SubmittheDissertationProspectus.ADissertationProspectustakesmanymonthstodevelopandshouldideallybeworkedoncontinuouslyfromastudent’sfirsttermintheprogram,butespeciallyaftertheendofthestudent’ssecondyear.StudentswillsubmitthefinaldraftoftheLiteratureReviewandtheProspectustogethertotheirchairoftheircommittee.ThechairmustapprovetheProspectusandtheLiteratureReviewfordistributiontothevotingmembersofthecommittee.TheProspectusshouldbeapproximately20pages(notincludingtheworkingbibliography, whichamongotherthingswillincludeprimarymaterialnotreferencedintheLiteratureReview).Thetopicwilldictateitslengthbutthecommitteewillexpectittobeclear,concise,tothepoint,andpersuasive.Exceedingtherecommendedlengthisdiscouraged.Guidelinesfortheprospectusmaybefoundbelow.Theprospectushasthreeprimarygoals:1. Topersuadethecommitteethatthestudent’sprojectisnewandofsignificancetothefield.2. Topersuadethecommitteethattherearesufficientresearchsourcesfortheprojecttobe

donefully.3. Topersuadethecommitteethatthestudentiscapableofcompletingtheprojectinatimely

manner.

StepII,Part3:DefendtheQualifyingExamination(i.e.,theLiteratureReviewandProspectus).

PhDHandbook-[16]

NotlessthantenworkingdaysaftertheProspectusissubmittedtothedissertationcommitteeandnolaterthanthefirstweekofApril,thestudentmustdefendtheirQualifyingExamination.Thestudentisresponsibleforarrangingthedate,time,andlocationattheircommittee’sconvenience.ThestudentisalsoresponsibleforreservingaspacewiththeappropriateTDPSstaff,andfornotifyingboththeDGSandtheCGSoncethedetailshavebeenset.Thedefenseshouldbescheduledfortwohours,whichallowsthirtytofortyminutestodiscusstheLiteratureReview,sixtytoseventyminutestodiscusstheprospectus,andadditionaltimeforthecommitteetodeliberate.WhileallmembersofthecommitteeshouldreadtheQualifyingExaminationandbepresentattheexam,aminimumofthreearerequiredtoattendinperson.Thosewhocannotbepresentshouldparticipateviateleconferenceorphonecall;attheveryleast,theyshouldsubmitquestionstobeaskedbythechair.(Note:NoneofthisispossiblefortheactualDissertationDefense,whenallmembersMUSTbepresent.)AttheendoftheQualifyingExaminationdefensethecommitteewillissueoneofthefollowingdeterminationsbasedontheresults:

• Pass• Passaftercompletionofrequiredrewrites

• Nodecisionpendingtheresultsofarequiredretakingofpartoralloftheexam• Fail(resultinginthestudent’sdismissalfromtheprogram)

Bypassingthestudent,thecommitteeagreesthattheapproachproposedinthedissertationprospectusisappropriate;thefinaldissertationwillbejudgedonhowwellthestudentaccomplisheswhattheyhaveproposed.Thecommitteecannotchangethetermsofthatagreementbutthestudentcan.Indeed,itisexpectedthatasthestudentlearnsmoreaboutthetopic,adjustmentstotheoriginalproposalwillbemade.Aslongasthealterationsdonotsignificantlychangethenatureofthestudy,thestudentandthecommitteechaircanmakesuchalterationsbymutualagreement.Shouldthealterationsconstituteasubstantialchangetotheoriginalprospectus,however,anewprospectusshouldbesenttothecommitteeforapproval.Thecommitteecanopttogiveitsapprovalbyemail,ortocallforameetingtodiscussitfirstifnecessary.

StepII,Part4:Advancetocandidacy.UponpassingtheQualifyingExamination,thestudentadvancestocandidacy.Itisthestudent’sresponsibilitytosubmitanApplicationforAdmissiontoCandidacyusingthisform(www.ter.ps/candidacy).Remember,astudentmustbeadvancedtocandidacyforthedoctoratewithinfiveyearsofadmissiontothedoctoralprogramandatleastsixmonthsbeforethedateonwhichthedegreewillbeconferred.Startinginthenextfallterm,andforeveryfallandwintertermuntilgraduation,thestudentwillbeautomaticallyregisteredforsixcreditsofTHET899:DoctoralDissertationResearch,forwhichtheypaytheflat,candidacytuitionrate.Thoseonassistantshipswillalsosignupforanadditional600-levelseminarclass,forwhichtheirtuitionwillbecovered.

PhDHandbook-[17]

WritingtheDissertationUnderthesupervisionoftheiradvisor,thedoctoralcandidateconductsresearchandwritesthedissertation.Thecandidateshouldfollowtheprospectusapprovedbythedissertationcommittee.Whileaspectsofitsscopeandcontentmaygrowandevolve,anysignificantchangesinthedissertationplanmayrequireanewdraftoftheprospectustobeapprovedbythedissertationcommittee.

DefendingtheDissertationOncethedissertationhasbeencompleted,thecandidatemustdefendthedissertationorally.Incompletedissertationscannotbesubmittedfordefense.GraduateSchoolrulesprohibitanoraldefensefromoccurringsoonerthantenworkingdaysafterthecommitteehasreceivedthecompleteddissertation.Dissertationcommitteescananddorequirelongertimes.TDPSrequiresthatstudentssubmittheircompleteddissertationtocommitteemembersatleastfifteenworkingdayspriortotheactualoraldefensedate.Itisthestudent’sresponsibilitytodistributecopiesofthedissertationtotheircommitteemembers.Studentsshouldinquireastowhetherornottheircommitteememberswantelectronicor“hard”copiesofthedissertationandprovidethemaccordingly.TheexaminationtypicallylaststwotothreehoursandmustfollowtheguidelinesestablishedbytheGraduateSchoolattheUniversityofMaryland,whichcanbefoundhere(www.ter.ps/PhDPolicies).Thestudentisresponsibleforarrangingthedate,time,andlocationattheircommittee’sconvenience.ThestudentisalsoresponsibleforreservingaspacewiththeappropriateTDPSstaff,andfornotifyingboththeDGSandtheCGSoncethedetailshavebeenset.Apublicannouncementoftheeventmustbemadeatleastfiveworkingdaysbeforeitoccurs.Thepublicannouncementmustincludethestudentsname,thedissertation’stitle,andexactdetailsofthedefensedate,time,andplace;itmustalsoinviteallfacultyandgraduatestudentsinTDPStoattend.AcopyofthisannouncementmustbesenttotheDean’sRepresentativeandtotheDGSsotheycancertifytotheGraduateSchoolthatthisrequirementhasbeenmet.Oncesuccessfullydefended,thestudentisresponsibleforcompletingtheThesisandDissertationElectronicSubmissionForm(www.ter.ps/PubForm)anduploadingthedissertationtoProQuesthere(www.ter.ps/ProQuest).SeetheUniversityofMarylandElectronicThesisandDissertationwebsite(www.ter.ps/UMDETD)ortheUniversityofMarylandThesisandDissertationStyleGuide(www.ter.ps/filing)foradditionalinformationontheseprocedures.ThestudentisresponsibleforcheckingtheGraduateSchoolwebsite(www.ter.ps/deadlines)foralldeadlinesrelatedtothesubmissionoftheirdissertation.

III.AssistantshipsandResearchFundingTDPSoffersteachingandresearchassistantships;theuniversityalsoprovidesalimitednumberoffellowshipstoaugmenttheseassistantships.Financialsupportistypicallyprovidedforfouracademicyearstoastudentwhoremainsingoodstandingandsuccessfullycompletestheirassignedduties.Tuitionremissionisincludedinmostassistantshipsandfellowships:

PhDHandbook-[18]

• Assistantsreceivetuitionremissionfor10CHrseveryfallandspringsemester,and4CHrsintheshortwinterterm.Thereisnotuitionremissionforsummerterms.Anyhoursabovethosecoveredbytheassistantshipassignmentmustbepaidforbythestudent.

• Thosewhoareonfellowshiporarefundedfromexternalsourcescantakeupto12CHrsasemester.• Asnotedabove,eachstudentwithaTDPSassistantshipisstronglyencouragedtotakeatleastone

seminarofferedbyacorefacultymemberduringeachsemester,regardlessoftheircandidacystatus.

Limitedfundingisalsoavailabletosupportstudentresearch,travel,andconferenceattendance.ThosewhoneedfundingshouldemailtheHeadoftheHistory/TheoryAreawithadescriptionthatincludesthepurpose,outcome,andananticipatedbudgetfortheresearch/travel.Priorityisgiventostudentsintheirthirdandfourthyearsintheprogram.Conferenceattendanceofstudentsinthefirsttwoyearsintheprogramisdiscouraged.Thegeneralpolicyforresearchandconferencetravelsupportisasfollows:

Studentswhoarecurrentlyenrolledincoursework,takingtheirexams,orinthefourth(orfifthfunded)yearoftheprogramandwritingtheirdissertationareeligibletoapplyfortheresearch/conferencefundsthatarebudgetedforgraduatestudentsinagivenyear.EligibilitydoesnotrequireaTAappointment.Prioritygoestostudentswhoareintheirthird,fourthandfifth(funded)yearoftheprogram.StudentsintheirfirstandsecondyearsandunfundedPhDstudentsbeyondthefourthyearandstillwritingtheirdissertationareonlyeligibleifsufficientfundsremain.

IV.ProspectusGuidelines I.BasicInformation

A. Acoverpagethatincludesthedissertation’sproposedtitle,author’sname,institutionname,degreesought,andauthor’scontactinformation.

B. Alistofdissertationcommitteemembers,includingtheDean’sRepresentative,ifknown(withphonenumbersandemailaddresses).Note:whiletheDean’sRepresentativedoesnothavetobeanexpertinthestudent’sfield(theyareprincipallytheretoensureafairdissertationprocess),theymustbeatenuredmemberofthefaculty,andcannotbefromthestudent’shomedepartment.

C. Theprospectusshouldbeapproximately20pagesinlength(notincludingtheworkingbibliography).

D. AllresearchprojectsinvolvingtheuseofhumansubjectsmustbeapprovedbytheInstitutionalReviewBoard(IRB).Ifastudent’sdissertationresearchrequiresIRBapproval,theymusthaveeithercompletedorbeguntheprocessforIRBapproval.Visitthefollowinglink(www.ter.ps/IRB)formoredetails.

II.Theresearchquestionorhypothesisandscopeofthestudy

A. Themainresearchquestionorhypothesis

Inconstructingtheresearchquestion,thestudentshouldaskthefollowing:willtheresearchexpandthecurrentliterature,challengeit,orcontributenewdataorperspectives?Otherthingstokeepinmindinformulatingtheresearchquestion:

PhDHandbook-[19]

1. Thestudentshouldpresenttheirlineofinquiryassuccinctlyaspossible.Whileitneedstobeclear,itshouldalsobedynamicandengaging.Studentsshouldrememberthattheprospectusisbothanoutlineoftheirfutureprojectaswellasa“pitch”oftheirideathatneedstocatchtheattentionofreaders.

2. Mostresearchprojectsincludemultiplequestions—onemain“framing”question,andseveralmorecloselyfocusedquestions.Studentsshouldconsiderhowtoincludethelatterundertheumbrellaoftheirframingquestion.Atthesametime,theyshouldbecautiousaboutincludingsomanyresearchquestionsthatreaderslosetrackofwhatthemainfocuswillbe.Studentsshoulddefinewhattheybelievearethemostsignificant/criticalquestionstobeexplored,andshouldonlylistquestionsthat,ifanswered,willcontributesomethingsubstantialandvitaltotheunderstandingoftheprimaryresearchquestion.

3. Thestudentshouldbesuretodiscussand/orclarifyanysignificantterminologyorspecialtermsthatmaybeuniquetotheirstudyorthathavemanypotentialdefinitions.

B. Thestudentshoulddefinethegeneralscopeoftheproject.Forexample,theyshouldspecify

chronologytobecovered,geographicalregion,genre,etc.Insodoing,theyshouldbesuretoexplainwhythisparticulartime-frame,location,etc.issignificanttothegoal(s)oftheirstudy.

III.LiteratureReviewandRationale

A. Studentsshouldincludethemostrelevantmaterialthathasbeenwrittenonthetopicsothattheaudienceunderstandsthecurrentstateofthesubject.UnlikethelargerLiteratureReviewsubmittedaspartoftheQualifyingExam,theliteraturereviewintheprospectusshouldincludeonlythoseauthors/theoriesessentialtoestablishingthecriticalcontextfortheprospectus’keyrationale.

B. Studentsshouldpresenttheir“rationale”fortheproject:theyshoulddiscusshowthedissertation

willcontributetothefieldandhowtheirresearchwilldifferfromresearchthathasalreadybeendoneinthearea.Atthisjuncture,studentscanfullyexplainhowtheirprojectexpandsuponthecurrentliterature,challengesit,and/orcontributesnewdataorperspectivestothefield.

IV.Methodology/ResearchPlan

A. TheMethodology/ResearchPlandocumentshowthestudentplanstogatherinformation.Itdescribesthewaytheywillcollectandinterpretdataorresources,testthehypothesis,orapplytheirtheory.

B. TheMethodology/ResearchPlanalsoexplainswhythestudenthaschosenaparticularsetofdata

ormaterialsandexplainstheirproposedapproach.C. Thissectioncouldinclude:

1.Thegroup,place,orspecificeventtobestudied.2.Thetechniquesusedtocollectdataormaterials.3.Informationaboutperceivedlimitationsandweaknessesinherentintheproposedstudy.

PhDHandbook-[20]

V.ChapterOutline

Atentativeoutlineofchapterswithabriefdescriptionofeachone.VI.Timeline

Atentativetimetableforcompletingthedissertation,includingresearchremainingtobedone.VII.WorkingBibliography

V.“Script”forDissertationOralDefense.FullPolicy:http://apps.gradschool.umd.edu/Catalog/policy.php?doctoral-degrees#the-doctoral-dissertation-and-examinationIntroductionbytheChair(5-10minutes):

� TheChairwelcomeseveryoneandannouncesthestartoftheexam� identifiestheDean’sRep� asksthecommitteememberstointroducethemselves� explainstheexamprocess� askseveryoneexceptthecommitteetoleavetheroom� Thecommitteediscussesthedissertationbrieflyandselectstheorderforquestioning� Everyonereturnstotheroom

PartI:Publicpresentationbythecandidate A.Presentationbythecandidate(15minutes)

(GradPolicy:asummaryofthedissertation,emphasizingtheimportantresultsandgivinganexplanationofthereasoningthatledtotheconclusionsreached.)

B.Questionsfromtheaudience(5-10minutes)(GradPolicy:DuringPart1,questionsfromtheaudiencetothecandidatewillbepermitted.ForquestionsfrompersonswhoarenotmembersoftheDissertationExaminingCommittee,theChairoftheDissertationExaminingCommitteewillhavediscretiontodecidewhethersuchquestionsaregermanetothetopicofthedissertationandhowmuchtimewillbeallottedfortheanswers.)

PartII:Formalexaminationofthecandidate:onlyopentotheexamcommitteeandTDPSfaculty,staff,andgraduatestudents

A.Onlythemembersoftheexamcommitteeareallowedtoaskquestions(around60minutes)B.Attheendofthequestioning,thecandidateandothernon-committeeattendeesareaskedtoleavetheroom

C.Thecommitteedeliberatesandvotesfromthefollowingoptions:• ToacceptthedissertationwithoutanyrecommendedchangesandsigntheReportof

ExaminingCommittee.• Toacceptthedissertationwithrecommendationsforchangesand,exceptforthechair,sign

theReportoftheExaminingCommittee.Thechairwillcheckthatthechangestothe

PhDHandbook-[21]

dissertationhavebeenmade,and,uponhisorherapproval,signtheReportofExaminingCommittee.

• TorecommendrevisionstothedissertationandnotsigntheReportofExaminingCommitteeuntilthestudenthasmadethechangesandsubmittedthereviseddissertationfortheDissertationExaminingCommittee'sapproval.TheDissertationExaminingCommitteememberssigntheReportofExaminingCommitteeiftheyapprovethereviseddissertation.

• TorecommendrevisionsandconveneasecondmeetingoftheDissertationExaminingCommitteetoreviewthedissertationandcompletethestudent'sexamination.

• Torulethedissertation(includingitsexamination)unsatisfactory. D.Onlythecandidateisaskedtoreturntotheroom E.ThedecisionisannouncedtothecandidatebytheChairConclusion:

� Everyoneontheexamcommitteesignsthe“ReportofExaminingCommittee”form� TheChairandDean’sRepsign“OralDefenseReport”form

VI.GraduateStudentActivityReportReturntoFirstsemesterandyear-endreviews Due____

Forallinformationthatisrightjustified,enterdataaftercolon.Forallinformationthatisleftjustified,enterdatabelowline. EmailthisformbacktotheDirectorofGraduateStudiesandtheGraduateStudiesCoordinator.

Pleasesaveacopyofthisformsoyoucanjustaddupdateseachyear..

Name:

ProgramMA,MFA,PhD:

Advisor:

YearsinprogramasofMay31ofthisyear.

YearsoffundingremainingafterMay31ofthisyear.

TAAssignment(thisyear):

Fellowship(thisyear):

Professionalproductionwork:(Title,company,yourposition--i.e.costumedesigner,choreographer,dancer,actor,dramaturge,etc.--dates.Includethoseprofessionalassignmentsacceptedbutnotyetundertaken.)

PhDHandbook-[22]

Publications:(usecorrectbibliographicform.Includethoseinpress.)

Non-professionalproductionwork:(samedetailsasabove.)

Conferencepresentations:(Papertitle,conference,location,date.)

Conferencesattendedwithoutgivingpapers:

Grants(includingtravelgrants),awards,honors:

Serviceandcommunityactivities:(Professional,universitywide,TDPS,other.)

CoursestaughtwhileattheUniversityofMaryland.(includecoursestaughtatotherinstitutions.)

Requirementsofprogramstilltobemetanddatesbywhichyouexpecttomeetthem.

Ifyouhavebeenhiredforajobfornextyear,pleaseprovidednameofinstitution/organization,jobtitleandstartingdate.

________________________________________________________________________

MAsonly:

Thesistitleortopic:

Dateprospectusapproved:Dateofthesisdefense:

Thesiscommitteemembers(chairfirst):

________________________________________________________________________

MFAsonly:

Pre-thesisproduction/area/date:

Thesisproduction/area/date:

Thesiscommitteemembers(chairfirst):

________________________________________________________________________

PhDHandbook-[23]

PhDsonly:

Dissertationtitleortopic:

Dateadmittedtocandidacy:

Expecteddatesfortakingcomprehensiveexaminations:

Dateprospectusapprovedbycommittee:

Dateofdissertationdefense:

Dissertationcommitteemembers(chairfirst):

________________________________________________________________________

Notesandqueries:(anythingyouwanttoadd.Anythingyouwanttoaskabout.)