When Done is Your Undoing: Failing the Dissertation Evaluation

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wise guy

 

Bill,

I know you are doing your work with UNIZUL and my expertise is with Unisa, but perhaps I can offer some advice.

Unisa is criticized, by some, because their information brochures and calendars seem to be too cumbersome and difficult to wade through. The reason for this is that they have reduced nearly every aspect of how the university works to writing. This then seems to be overly legalistic, but at times like the one you are now facing, it is a pretty simple matter to find out what the procedures are and what rights you have.

I have never seen any of the literature from UNIZUL. As a doctoral student, are you working from Tutorial Letters? At Unisa you would have received an initial comprehensive tutorial letter from your department which spells out your responsibilities, those of your promoter, and those of the external examiners. Perhaps UNIZUL has something similar. Is there a Vice Chancellor (Research) at UNIZUL or a similar person? I would contact that person and ask the question directly.

I carry a card with a list of success factors that I have learned througout my life. There are fifteen now, and number four is: Talk to and listen to the person that matters most.

Complaining to my co-worker might make me feel better, but it probably will not get me the recognition I want from my boss, or the answer to the question I might have about the vision for my department... but if I go to my boss directly, I certainly get an answer (like it or not). In this case, I would ask the person who matters most -- you'll feel better.

All the best,
John

 

Sorry Bill. The only Barth I know is John Barth...American novelist whose works include The Sot-Weed Factor . I'm guessing that you're referring to someone else.
Good luck,
Jack

 

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I think no justifiable complaint could be lodged against the UZ Religion/theology faculty for burdening their doctoral students with cumbersome paper work. The Unizul guide is very short but does include about 1/2 page on the relationship and duties of the super and the student. Actually I feel confident of the helpfulness of the Dept in general and my super in particular.

Thanks much for your good wishes. I responded to your private question just now. Let me know if you do not get it. I do not trust computers. Curiously, we had to repeatedly send the last UZ chapter as UZ received it without the Greek words and phrases so there were blanks in the text. But the Dept fixed whatever was wrong at--I guess-- their end.

 

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I know you are a philosopher not a theologian, but I supposed everyone knew of Karl Barth. Shows how narrow I'm getting!

 

I have observed three things happen at the dissertation defense level of the process. Approval of the disseration with minor editing expectations; approval of the disseratation with major editing and a need to come back before the committee with the edits; and failing the disseration. I have only seen or heard of this last option once. The person had a major disagreement with the chair of the committee. The chiar advised that the person was not ready for defense and needed much more work. The person thought the chair was wrong and demanded a defense opportunity. The chair scheduled the defense, but was obviously of limited help since he disagreed with a number of items in the dissertation. The committee agreed with the chair and the dissertation was failed. My own chair continuously assured me it was his job to make sure my final product would pass muster. He challenged and encouraged me. However, he made it very clear that he would not let my disseration get in front of the committee unless he was certain it would pass. Visiting with other committee chairs over the years, they have expressed the same belief. I think you are well on your way and will be just fine. Listen to the chair. When he says it can go to the committee, it will be fine!

 

Thanks Michael:

I appreciate your encouragement!!

If I can get my second chapter OK'd (just submitted) then I'm well on my way. Five chapters (now planned) follow and working at 4-6 months on each of these I should finish everything, including at least minor revisions, well before the summer of 2005 when I'll be 65.

 

Now THAT'S inspirational
Jack

 

Bill,

Comparing TTS with Satan is stretching it a bit, don't you think? This is the very kind of verbal assault that got you banned from T-Delta!

 

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The comment had Tony as its referent and was not serious.

 

I understood the reference, Bill. But since you and TTS seem to congeal, much like apple pie and baseball, it was difficult to pass an opportunity to banter with you.

 

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I know;you pick on me at every opportunity

Actually I seldom think of Trinity now unless reminded by postings here. As Frey senior suggested on TDelta forum before my banishment that I should do, I'm getting on with my studies. We all have our personal short comings and successes just like many schools do. I still think TTS has a genuine program. I so wish the school's persona were not vitiated by ingenuine accreditational claims. Nor will this short coming be atoned for even by NCA recognition should that ever happen as only He whom Trinity purports to serve can absolve that long history of deception.

Of course, if Trinity confesses in bold print on TDelta for a year and in the next 12 issues of Christianity Today apologizes for their years of deception, and if the Trinity dignitaries return the millions of dollars acquired by defrauding the Lord's host (as Kenny Rhodes-now a prof at Golden State?? once requested) , then I'd say they'd settled up on that transgression.

But as this is not going to happen, I remain ,unhappily, subject to being baited by your teasing .