UCLA
Graduate Writing Center

Summer Dissertation Programs 2015

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, but some have other formats. Programs are free of charge to those who participate. Plan to participate and have a productive summer!

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

Eligibility: Only UCLA graduate and professional students who have been registered during the academic year are eligible to apply. Participants must be at the appropriate stage for the program to which they 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 historians or political science students who focus on theory, should also apply to this program. This program will meet for the 6 weeks of Summer Session A (Thursdays, 5:30–8:00pm, June 25th–July 30th).

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 Sunday, June 14th . Space is limited.
This program is full.

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

Your dissertation would fit better with humanities 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 with qualitative social sciences 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 oral histories, 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. Oral historians who don't code their interviews may fit better with the humanities. If you are not sure which section to choose, please consult with the GWC Director (Marilyn Gray: mgray@saonet.ucla.edu ).

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

First Session Preparation and Homework : Before the first session, participants should

1) read/skim a dissertation recently completed in your department, preferably one chaired by your dissertation committee chair, to get a sense of overall structure (search ProQuest Dissertations/Theses database by advisor);
2) review and do a brief outline/sketch (1-page maximum) of the structure of one of the analytical chapters in the sample dissertation, paying attention to
a) type of content (primary source analysis, secondary criticism, theory, historical or biographical background, etc.); and
b) form (narrative arc, argument, and language that signposts what the writer is doing);
3) organize your notes, sources, and data for the analytical dissertation chapter you will work on during the program. Bring all relevant materials into a single physical and/or electronic location to simplify your workflow.

Participants should bring to the first session
1) your brief sketch of the sample dissertation chapter you reviewed; and
2) a 1-2 page outline of the analytical dissertation chapter you will work on during the program. If you are in the very early stages, a bulleted list of the topics and ideas you plan to address in the chapter would be fine.

Homework for Subsequent Sessions: Each session after the first will require 5 to 10 pages of new writing (of the dissertation draft). There may be additional reading and homework assignments to reinforce writing strategies.

Strongly 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: Sunday, June 14th .

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 23rd–July 28th.

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 Sunday, June 14th. Space is limited. This program is now closed.

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

Your dissertation would fit better with humanities 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 with qualitative social sciences 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 oral histories, 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. Oral historians who don't code their interviews may fit better with the humanities. If you are not sure which section to choose, please consult with the GWC Director (Marilyn Gray: mgray@saonet.ucla.edu ).

First Session Preparation and Homework :

Before the first session, participants should

1) read/skim a dissertation recently completed in your department, preferably one chaired by your dissertation committee chair, to get a sense of overall structure (search ProQuest Dissertations/Theses database by advisor);
2) review and do a brief outline/sketch (1-page maximum) of the structure of one of the analytical chapters in the sample dissertation, paying attention to
a) type of content (primary source analysis, secondary criticism, theory, historical or biographical background, etc.); and
b) form (narrative arc, argument, and language that signposts what the writer is doing);
3) organize your notes, sources, and data for the analytical dissertation chapter you will work on during the program. Bring all relevant materials into a single physical and/or electronic location to simplify your workflow.

Participants should bring to the first session
1) your brief sketch of the sample dissertation chapter you reviewed; and
2) a 1-2 page outline of the analytical dissertation chapter you will work on during the program. If you are in the very early stages, a bulleted list of the topics and ideas you plan to address in the chapter would be fine.

Homework for Subsequent Sessions: Each session after the first will require 5 to 10 pages of new writing (of the dissertation draft). There may be additional reading and homework assignments to reinforce writing strategies.

Strongly 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: Sunday, June 14th .

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 general writing and organizational strategies as well as writing issues specific to scientific writing.

Dissertation Overview Workshop: Process and Structure *
This overview workshop will cover time management, writing process strategies, and dissertation structure. The workshop is strongly recommended for those interested in the writing group.
Wednesday, July 1, 5:30–8:00pm

Four-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.
Wednesday, July 8th – 29th, 5:30–7:30pm

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 Monday, June 29th . 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 3 to 5 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: Monday, June 22nd .

Dissertation Proposal/Prospectus Programs
(Summer Session C, August 3 – September 11)

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: Tuesdays, 5:30–8:00pm (August 4th–September 8th)

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 Wednesday, July 15th . 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 paragraph or two about each. Also make sure that you have organized notes for your other sources. For the other sources that will be discussed in your literature review, we recommend writing at least a short annotation (2-3 sentences) for each one.
  • Project description (from application): bring a 200-300 word description of your dissertation project. Please be prepared to articulate your research topic succinctly.
  • Reading Assignment : In preparation for the first session, please read: Joan Bolker. Writing Your Dissertation in Fifteen Minutes A Day. 1998. Chapters 1, 3 and 4. (Available at the UCLA bookstore.)

For subsequent sessions : Each session will have a required writing assignment related to your prospectus. There may be additional required readings that we will make available electronically.

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

Your dissertation would fit better with humanities 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 with qualitative social sciences 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 oral histories, 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. Oral historians who don't code their interviews may fit better with the humanities. If you are not sure which section to choose, please consult with the GWC Director (Marilyn Gray: mgray@saonet.ucla.edu ).

2) DISSERTATION PROPOSAL BOOT CAMP (Social Sciences)

Schedule: Wednesdays, 5:30 – 8:00pm (August 5th – September 9th)

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 Wednesday, July 15th . 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 secondary and theoretical sources. Select four or five of the most important theoretical and secondary sources and write a paragraph or two about each. Also make sure that you have organized notes for your other sources. For the other sources that will be discussed in your literature review, we recommend writing at least a short annotation (2-3 sentences) for each one.
  • Project description (from application): bring a 200-300 word description of your dissertation project. Please be prepared to articulate your research topic succinctly.
  • Reading Assignment : In preparation for the first session, please read: Joan Bolker. Writing Your Dissertation in Fifteen Minutes A Day. 1998. Chapters 1, 3 and 4. (Available at the UCLA bookstore.)

For subsequent sessions : Each session will have a required writing assignment related to your proposal. There may be additional required readings that we will make available electronically.

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

Your dissertation would fit better with humanities 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 with qualitative social sciences 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 oral histories, 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. Oral historians who don't code their interviews may fit better with the humanities. If you are not sure which section to choose, please consult with the GWC Director (Marilyn Gray: mgray@saonet.ucla.edu ).

Deadline to Apply: Wednesday, July 15th .

3) DISSERTATION PROPOSAL WORKSHOP (Sciences)

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.
Thursday, August 13th, 5:30-7:30pm
Location: Conference Room 4, Student Activities Center (basement level) ( map )

Registration is not required, but if you register, we will send you an email reminder before the workshop . Register here.

Deadline to Register: Monday, August 10th.

Previous Workshops and Programs

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