Dissertation I – COMS 987

CG • Section 8WK • 07/01/2018 to 12/31/2199 • Modified 09/05/2023

Course Description

Dissertation 1 is the initial step for PHD students and faculty to actualize their research project. It provides a focused study of the problem, purpose, significance, theoretical framework, biblical integration, and important literature relevant to the proposed project. 

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Rationale

The mission of the SCA program is to provide an opportunity for qualified students to attain academic, professional, and practical competence -- within the Christian Worldview -- which prepares students for opportunities, and corresponding additional responsibilities, beyond the master's degree level. The SCA program emphasizes practical and real-world applications in both the course work and the major applied doctoral research project requirements. 

 

The vision of the SCA program is to produce graduates' intellectual and professional competencies in the following areas: 

 

  • the ability to present and defend arguments based on theories, concepts and empirical evidence in matters relating to research methodology and research design as well as those relating to the communication disciplinary domain in which the research is located; 
  • the ability to demonstrate the capacity for reflective and analytical communication thinking; 
  • the ability to draw together relevant concepts and theories from different communication disciplines in order to gain a better understanding of the organizational context in which particular problems or opportunities arise; 
  • the ability to analyze problems and issues arising in communication contexts, utilizing relevant theories, concepts, and empirical findings; 
  • the ability to identify and analyze questions and issues in communication; and 
  • the ability to design, implement, and successfully conclude empirical research projects. 

 

Each of the above will be considered in light of biblical principles, and they will be integrated within the Christian Worldview. 

 

The SCA program philosophy supports both the program mission and vision, and it is as follows: Ph.D. in Communication focuses intensively on preparing candidates for academic careers and to conduct highly-specialized academic research, i.e., the development of new theory in communication and other related communicative fields. 

  1. RATIONALE 

COMS 987, Dissertation I, is the first step for Ph.D.  students to actualize the students' research project. It provides a focused study of the problem, purpose, significance, theoretical framework, biblical integration, and important literature relevant to the proposed project

 

 

Course Assignment

  1. COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND ASSIGNMENTS
  2. Section 1 of Dissertation 1 

Students will complete section one of the Dissertation 1 course, broken down into manageable steps, following the guidelines set forth in the online course. Section 1 includes the following elements: background of the problem; the problem statement; the purpose statement; nature of the study; research questions and/or hypothesis; theoretical/conceptual framework; definition of terms to be used in the project; assumptions, limitations, and delimitations; and the significance of the study (including an overview of gaps in the literature, implications for organizational change, and biblical integration). 

A review of the significant literature is required; the literature review must be in a final draft form, in order to ensure adequate time to complete the requirements in Dissertation 2.