UCLA
Graduate Writing Center

Summer Dissertation Programs 2014

The Graduate Writing Center holds several programs during the summer to help graduate students who are at the dissertation and dissertation proposal stages. These programs help graduate students make significant progress on their writing and develop strategies to manage large writing projects successfully. Programs usually meet once a week for six weeks over Summer Session A or Summer Session C. Plan to participate and have a productive summer!

Please Note : Participation requires submitting an application by the deadline indicated for the program because space is limited and we need to make sure participants are eligible and ready.

Eligibility: Our programs do not require you to be a registered UCLA graduate student during summer, but you must have been a registered UCLA graduate student during spring 2014 and be at the appropriate stage for the program to which you apply.

1) DISSERTATION BOOT CAMP (HUMANITIES & ARTS FOCUS)

This program targets humanities and arts graduate students who have advanced to candidacy and are at the dissertation-writing stage. The program will teach writing strategies and provide structure to help people produce a draft of a dissertation chapter. Graduate students from social science fields who use humanities approaches, such as political science students who focus on theory or historians, should also apply to this program. This program will meet for the 6 weeks of Summer Session A, Thursdays, 5:30–8:00pm, June 26th–July 31st (except the July 3rd meeting will happen on Wednesday, July 2nd).

How to Apply for the Humanities & Arts Dissertation Chapter Boot Camp : Interested graduate students must fill out the application Google form linked here (your application will be kept confidential) by no later than Friday, June 13th . Space is limited.

Not sure whether you should do the Humanities or Qualitative Social Sciences Dissertation Boot Camp?

Your dissertation would fit better in the humanities category if one or more of the following applies:

  • you study texts, aesthetic objects, or theories;
  • you don't have separate chapters on literature review and methods;
  • you don't work with human subjects (in a manner requiring IRB approval);
  • and/or your chapters are organized in a purely topical way.

Your dissertation would fit better in the qualitative social sciences category if one or more of the following applies:

  • you have separate methods and literature review chapters;
  • you work with human subjects and went through the IRB process;
  • you do descriptive or ethnographic research based on interviews and observations;
  • your data analysis involves coding;
  • and/or you write your findings in results and discussion chapters.

Some research, such as ethnographic studies and studies of language and performance, falls in between humanities and qualitative social sciences, but we usually group projects involving human subjects with qualitative social sciences. If you are not sure which section to choose, please consult with the GWC Coordinator (Marilyn Gray: mgray@saonet.ucla.edu ).

Preparation for the Humanities & Arts Dissertation Boot Camp (for those accepted)

First Session Homework : Participants must bring 1) an outline (as detailed as possible) of the dissertation chapter they'll be working on during the Boot Camp; 2) organized notes on the dissertation chapter's primary, secondary, and theoretical sources; and 3) a bibliography of all chapter-relevant secondary sources (append annotations when helpful). (We strongly recommend organizing the current chapter's notes and materials into a binder and all chapter-relevant electronic files into a dedicated folder on your computer.) Before the first session, participants should also 4) read/skim a dissertation recently completed in your department, preferably one chaired by your dissertation committee chair, to get a sense of structure and organization (UC Dissertations are available through the ProQuest Dissertations/Theses database, searchable by advisor); and 5) read/skim Joan Bolker. Writing Your Dissertation in Fifteen Minutes a Day. 1998. (Available at the UCLA bookstore.)

Homework for Subsequent Sessions: Each session after the first will require five to ten pages of new writing (dissertation draft). There may be additional reading and homework assignments to reinforce writing skills and strategies.

Required Text: Joan Bolker. Writing Your Dissertation in Fifteen Minutes a Day. 1998. (Available at the UCLA bookstore.)

Deadline to Apply: Friday, June 13th .

2) DISSERTATION BOOT CAMP (Qualitative Social Sciences Focus)

This program targets graduate students using qualitative social science research methods or mixed methods with a qualitative emphasis. Graduate students who apply to this program should have defended their proposals, completed the majority of their research and data analysis, and be ready to write or already writing the results and discussion chapters (or sections). The program will address writing issues specific to qualitative research as well as general writing and organizational strategies. This program will meet for the 6 weeks of Summer Session A (Tuesdays, 5:30–8:00pm, June 24th–July 29th).

How to Apply for the Qualitative Social Sciences Dissertation Chapter Boot Camp : Interested graduate students must fill out the Google application form linked here (your application will be kept confidential) by no later than Friday, June 13th . Space is limited.

Not sure whether you should do the Humanities or Qualitative Social Sciences Dissertation Boot Camp?

Your dissertation would fit better in the humanities category if one or more of the following applies:

  • you study texts, aesthetic objects, or theories;
  • you don't have separate chapters on literature review and methods;
  • you don't work with human subjects (in a manner requiring IRB approval);
  • and/or your chapters are organized in a purely topical way.

Your dissertation would fit better in the qualitative social sciences category if one or more of the following applies:

  • you have separate methods and literature review chapters;
  • you work with human subjects and went through the IRB process;
  • you do descriptive or ethnographic research based on interviews and observations;
  • your data analysis involves coding;
  • and/or you write your findings in results and discussion chapters.

Some research, such as ethnographic studies and studies of language and performance, falls in between humanities and qualitative social sciences, but we usually group projects involving human subjects with qualitative social sciences. If you are not sure which section to choose, please consult with the GWC Coordinator (Marilyn Gray: mgray@saonet.ucla.edu ).

Preparation for the Qualitative Social Sciences Dissertation Boot Camp (for those accepted)

First Session Homework : Participants must bring 1) an outline (as detailed as possible) of the current dissertation chapter and 2) organized notes on the current dissertation chapter's relevant sources/data. (We strongly recommend organizing the current chapter's notes and materials into a binder and all chapter-relevant electronic files into a dedicated folder on your computer.) Before the first session, participants should also 3) read/skim a dissertation recently completed in your department, preferably one chaired by your dissertation committee chair, to get a sense of structure and organization (UC Dissertations are available through the ProQuest Dissertations/Theses database, searchable by advisor); and 4) read/skim Joan Bolker. Writing Your Dissertation in Fifteen Minutes a Day. 1998. (Available at the UCLA bookstore.)

Homework for Subsequent Sessions: For each session after the first meeting, participants must complete a required writing assignment of a minimum of four to five pages of new writing (dissertation draft). There may also be other required reading and homework assignments to reinforce writing skills and strategies.

Required Text: Joan Bolker. Writing Your Dissertation in Fifteen Minutes a Day. 1998. (Available at the UCLA bookstore.)

Deadline to Apply: Friday, June 13th .

3) DISSERTATION WORKSHOP & WRITING GROUP (Sciences, Engineering, & Quantitative Social Sciences)

This program targets graduate students who have defended their proposals, completed the majority of their research and data analysis, and are ready to write or already writing their article chapters or results and discussion chapters. This program will address writing issues specific to scientific writing as well as general writing and organizational strategies.

Dissertation Overview Workshop: Process and Structure **
This overview workshop will cover time management, writing process strategies, and dissertation structure .
Monday, June 23rd, 5:30–8:00pm

Five-Week Writing Group* *
The workshop will be followed by a writing group that will meet for five weeks in July for those who are interested.
Mondays, July 7th – August 4th, 5:30–7:30pm

** If you attended the sciences dissertation boot camp during spring break, you may skip the overview workshop. Otherwise, the workshop is strongly recommended for those interested in the writing group. You may sign up for just the workshop, but in the event that space is limited, those doing the writing group will be admitted to the workshop before those who choose the workshop only.

How to Apply for the Workshop and/or Writing Group
Interested graduate students must fill out the Google application form linked here (your application will be kept confidential) by no later than Friday, June 13th . Space is limited.

Preparation for the Sciences Dissertation Workshop & Writing Group (for those accepted)

Workshop Session Homework : In preparation for the Workshop session, 1) read/skim a dissertation recently completed in your department, preferably one chaired by your dissertation committee chair, to get a sense of structure and organization (UC Dissertations are available through the ProQuest Dissertations/Theses database, searchable by advisor); and 2) bring a detailed outline of your dissertation.

Homework for Writing Group Sessions: For each session of the writing group, participants must write and bring in three to five pages of new writing.

Recommended Reading: Joan Bolker. Writing Your Dissertation in Fifteen Minutes a Day. 1998. (Available at the UCLA bookstore.) We recommend a more careful reading of chapters 3, 4 and 8, but the entire book is worth skimming.

Deadline to Apply: Friday, June 13th .

Dissertation Proposal/Prospectus Programs
(Summer Session C, August 4 – September 12)

The Dissertation Proposal/Prospectus Programs are designed to help graduate students finish a draft, or at least make substantial progress on a draft, of their dissertation proposals/prospectuses. Sessions will cover strategies for writing the components of the dissertation proposal/prospectus as well as managing the process. For guidance concerning research design, methodology, and other field-specific issues, please consult with faculty advisors/mentors.

1) DISSERTATION PROSPECTUS BOOT CAMP (Humanities & Arts)

Schedule: Thursdays, 5:30–8:00pm (August 7th–September 11th)

How to Apply : Interested graduate students must fill out the Google application form linked here (your application will be kept confidential) by no later than Monday, July 14th. Space is limited.

Homework for those accepted to the Humanities & Arts Prospectus Boot Camp:
For the first session , participants must bring in the following: Annotated Bibliography: bring a bibliography of your secondary and theoretical sources. Select four or five of the most important theoretical and secondary sources and write a short paragraph about each. Also make sure that you have organized notes for each of your other sources. Project description (from application): bring a 200-300 description of you dissertation project. Reading Assignment : In preparation for the first session, please read the following: Joan Bolker. Writing Your Dissertation in Fifteen Minutes A Day. 1998. Chapters 1, 3 and 4. (Available at the UCLA bookstore.)
For subsequent sessions , there may be other required reading and homework, and each session will have a required writing assignment.

Not sure whether you should do the Humanities or Qualitative Social Sciences Dissertation Boot Camp?

Your dissertation would fit better in the humanities category if one or more of the following applies:

  • you study texts, aesthetic objects, or theories;
  • you don't have separate chapters on literature review and methods;
  • you don't work with human subjects (in a manner requiring IRB approval);
  • and/or your chapters are organized in a purely topical way.

Your dissertation would fit better in the qualitative social sciences category if one or more of the following applies:

  • you have separate methods and literature review chapters;
  • you work with human subjects and went through the IRB process;
  • you do descriptive or ethnographic research based on interviews and observations;
  • your data analysis involves coding;
  • and/or you write your findings in results and discussion chapters.

Some research, such as ethnographic studies and studies of language and performance, falls in between humanities and qualitative social sciences, but we usually group projects involving human subjects with qualitative social sciences. If you are not sure which section to choose, please consult with the GWC Coordinator (Marilyn Gray: mgray@saonet.ucla.edu ).

Deadline to Apply: Monday, July 14th .

2) DISSERTATION PROPOSAL BOOT CAMP (Social Sciences)

Schedule: Wednesdays, 5:30 – 8:00pm (August 6th – September 10th)

How to Apply : Interested graduate students must fill out the Google application form linked here (your application will be kept confidential) by no later than Monday, July 14th. Space is limited.

Homework for those accepted to the Social Sciences Dissertation Proposal Boot Camp:
For the first session , participants must bring the following: Annotated Bibliography : bring a bibliography of your top 50 secondary and theoretical sources. For the top 4-5 most important theory and secondary sources, write a long paragraph per annotation. For all other sources that will be discussed in the literature review, write a short paragraph (at least 3 sentences) per annotation. Project description (from application): bring a 200-300 description of you dissertation project. Participants should be ready to articulate their research questions, methods, variables and hypotheses succinctly. Reading Assignment : Joan Bolker. Writing Your Dissertation in Fifteen Minutes A Day. Chapters 1, 3 and 4. (Available at the UCLA bookstore.) There will be additional required readings that we will make available electronically.
For subsequent sessions , there may be other required reading and homework, and each session will have a required writing assignment.

Not sure whether you should do the Humanities or Qualitative Social Sciences Dissertation Boot Camp?

Your dissertation would fit better in the humanities category if one or more of the following applies:

  • you study texts, aesthetic objects, or theories;
  • you don't have separate chapters on literature review and methods;
  • you don't work with human subjects (in a manner requiring IRB approval);
  • and/or your chapters are organized in a purely topical way.

Your dissertation would fit better in the qualitative social sciences category if one or more of the following applies:

  • you have separate methods and literature review chapters;
  • you work with human subjects and went through the IRB process;
  • you do descriptive or ethnographic research based on interviews and observations;
  • your data analysis involves coding;
  • and/or you write your findings in results and discussion chapters.

Some research, such as ethnographic studies and studies of language and performance, falls in between humanities and qualitative social sciences, but we usually group projects involving human subjects with qualitative social sciences. If you are not sure which section to choose, please consult with the GWC Coordinator (Marilyn Gray: mgray@saonet.ucla.edu ).

Deadline to Apply: Monday, July 14th .

3) DISSERTATION PROPOSAL WORKSHOP & WRITING GROUP (Sciences)

Schedule: Tuesdays, 5:30 – 8:00pm (August 5th – September 2nd)

Sciences Dissertation Proposal Workshop
This intensive workshop will cover dissertation proposal structure, writing process strategies, and time management. In addition, we will address issues related to the oral portion of the proposal. Please bring an outline of your proposal and an abstract if you have them.
Tuesday, August 5th, 5:30-7:30pm
Location: Conference Room 4, Student Activities Center (basement level) (map)

How to Register for the Sciences Dissertation Proposal Workshop
Interested graduate students should fill out the Google registration form linked here (your information will be kept confidential) by no later than Friday, August 1st. (Space is limited, so if we become full, we will close registration earlier.)

Four-Week Writing Group (August 12th-September 2nd)

How to Apply for the Writing Group
Interested graduate students must fill out the writing group Google application form linked here (your information will be kept confidential) by no later than Friday, August 1st. (Space is limited, so if we become full, we will close registration earlier.)

Homework for the Writing Group :
For the first session , participants should bring in a 200-300 project description and three-five pages of writing. For each subsequent session , participants must bring in three to five pages of new writing.

Deadline to Apply: Friday, August 1st .

Previous Workshops and Programs

Click here to see an archive of past programs and workshops.