Harvard University History Department

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		Dissertation Prospectus and Conference		On This Page
		Third-year students, after passing the General Examination, propose topics and present their research at a conference, form a dissertation committee, and complete a formal dissertation prospectus. Students then continue to teach when propitious or necessary, conduct research, and write their dissertations. Progress reports are required beginning in the fourth year. Very few submit dissertations before the fifth year, and students can realistically expect to finish within five to seven years. Dissertation submission guidelines are available from the Coordinator.		Dissertation Prospectus Prospectus Conference Prospectus Approval Links Prospectus Guidelines (PDF) Prospectus Conference Application (PDF) Prospectus Approval Form (PDF) Conference Schedule (PDF) Dissertation Committee Form (PDF) Dissertation Committee Dissertation Submission
		Dissertation Prospectus As soon as possible after passing the General Examination - in no case over two terms later - candidates must identify a committee and topic for the dissertation. Candidates are required to present a summary of the dissertation proposal in a conference of faculty and graduate students, held on Monday, January 28, 2008. The greater length of the written proposal allows the candidate to engage more substantively with the issues he or she will be addressing and leads to a more substantive discussion at the conference. The following are some issues to consider: Statement of Thesis What is the problem one wishes to study and what is its interest or significance in current historical thinking? State clearly and concisely how one presently conceives of this problem and how one supposes it can be resolved. Historiographical Context What work has, and has not, been done in this field and on this problem? Discuss relevant scholarship critically. One need not criticize specific failings; simply show what is understood to be the merits and limitations of relevant works. How does one propose to develop, challenge, or depart from existing positions or themes in historical literature? Method and Theory Outline an approach to the subject. If the conception has theoretical aspects, discuss them critically. Have scholars in other fields developed concepts of potential interest to the topic? Think about method and theory, even if there is a decision not to engage much with external perspectives and theory. The faculty neither encourages nor discourages such engagement, but cautions that original historical work should not simply illustrate other people's ideas. Sources Give an account of the sources for the subject so far identified. Stress primary sources, the difficulties they present, their location (i.e., print, manuscript or any other form), and their accessibility. Identify the principal libraries and repositories as well as other locations and persons. Do not overlook unpublished doctoral or master's research. Schedule Draft a tentative chapter outline and schedule of tasks and stages for the writing of the dissertation. Allow time for research, travel to collections, writing, and revision. Bibliography List the primary and secondary sources used to develop the prospectus. Prospectus Conference Conference sessions will be arranged as much as possible by field and thematic relevance. Candidates will speak for roughly fifteen minutes, and the faculty moderator will ask for questions during the remaining fifteen minutes. The sessions are preceded by a light breakfast; lunch is also provided. Candidates are required to speak for fifteen minutes. By December 3rd, the Graduate Coordinator asks for three pieces of information as a prelude to the conference: a provisional title of the presentation, technical requirements, and the names of any faculty whose input is desired because of the relevance of their research in relation to the candidate’s. By January 14th, candidates will submit to the Coordinator a 15-20 page written proposal (including a select bibliography, and a range of archives where the research will be conducted) that will form the basis of their presentations. This deadline is important because the Coordinator will make copies of the dissertation proposals available to all interested faculty members, conference moderators, and the Director of Graduate Studies. Prospectus Approval Immediately after the conference presentation, the advisor may sign his or her approval of the dissertation prospectus on a form provided by the Graduate Coordinator. In some instances, the advisor may ask the candidate to revise the prospectus. If revisions are necessary, the final version must be submitted to the Coordinator, along with the signed Dissertation Prospectus Approval form, by Thursday, May 1, 2008.