Ling. 5100
Thesis Writing Seminar
Spring 2008

Time/Venue:	To be announced once the semester begins. (Approximately 12 classroom hours total, with dates to be determined by class members' schedules.)
Moderator:	Laurel Smith Stvan
Office:	Hammond Hall 410
Office Hours:	Tuesday/Thursday 2:00-4:00 and by appointment
Phone:	(817) 272-5234
Email:	stvan@uta.edu

Course Description

This course is for graduate students who plan to write an MA thesis in either Linguistics or TESOL. The course is graded "Pass-Fail". To receive a passing grade, students are expected attend class regularly, participate in discussions, and prepare work as assigned. Coursework is of a highly practical, "hands-on" nature and, as such, is intended to contribute directly to the preparation of your MA thesis. Areas to be covered include knowledge of graduate school forms and timetables, IRB protocol submission and human subject training, learning to access and make efficient use of library databases, and incorporating feedback in revising drafts.

Course Materials
There is one required textbook, available at the campus bookstore --or through any other bookseller of your choice. (There is also a non-circluating copy available to consult at the UTA library):

The Craft of Research, 2nd edition. (2003). Wayne C. Booth, Gregory G. Colomb, and Joseph M. Williams. Chicago: Univ. of Chicago Press (ISBN: 0-226-06568-5).

Course Goals

1. Familiarize students with the contents and structure of a thesis

* What am I expected to come up with? What am I getting myself into?

2. Acquaint students with helpful resources for research and writing

* Where can I go for help?

3. Help students begin locating appropriate bibliographic material with an eye toward writing a preliminary thesis proposal

* What will my topic be?

* What sorts of materials have already been written on that topic?

4. Help students develop a timetable for researching and writing the thesis

* How long will it take me?

* When should I complete each stage?

5. Assess students' individual writing skills and address weaknesses

* What strategies will help me present my work as clearly as possible?

6. Initiate support and guidance among fellow thesis writers

* Who else is suffering the same fate?

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Go to Laurel Stvan's home page.
Last Updated: January 25, 2008