Dissertation
The final requirement for the Ph.D. degree is the presentation and public defense of a dissertation representing a significant contribution in some area of theoretical linguistic research. The defense is normally scheduled by the student in consultation with his/her advisor, generally at a time when the entire committee feels that the dissertation is in completed or near-completed form. The student produces an abstract of approximately 200 words, which is submitted to the Department secretary. The dissertation must be left in the Department for at least two weeks before the defense.
Dissertation Proposal
After completing the second qualifying paper, the student assembles a dissertation committee and selects a topics, and submits the appropriate form for departmental approval. Upon approval, the student prepares the dissertation proposal, presenting the project in the context of previous research. The dissertation proposal should be between 20 and 30 pages (double-spaced) and describe a course of work in some detail, laying out issues, questions, and problems for investigation, relevant data, and methods for investigation, examining also how the proposed work will bear on larger theoretical issues in the field and demonstrating a mastery of the relevant literature on the topic. The prospectus is defended before a dissertation prospectus committee.