Dissertations in Linguistics - current research and forms of publication
In this course, doctoral dissertations in English Linguistics and closely related disciplines are selected, reviewed, discussed, and evaluated. Doctoral students will read and critically evaluate two selected doctoral dissertations in terms of the dissertation research projects’ topics, methods, theory, analysis, findings, and form of presentation. Dissertations are selected in consultation with the course convener, on the basis of their relevance for the field, doctoral students’ research interests, format (compilation and monograph), research contexts (Sweden and international), and diversity in terms of methodology and data. The selection also aims at broadening as well as deepening the student’s orientation in the linguistic discipline. The course runs in the form of discussion seminars with individual written and oral assignments to be completed.
Course goals
Upon completion of the course, doctoral students should be able to
• critically review and assess recent research presented in selected doctoral dissertations in English Linguistics and closely related disciplines on the basis of form, theories and methods, findings, and structure of presentation,
• identify and account for the differences between monograph dissertations and article compilation dissertations, and demonstrate an ability to evaluate the appropriateness of the dissertation format for different types of studies, and
• summarize, evaluate, and present the central tenets of a doctoral dissertation research project in linguistics.
Prerequisites
Enrollment in a PhD program in English Linguistics, or the equivalent.
Examination
Assessment takes the form of oral presentations, active participation in discussions, and individual written hand-in assignments.