Acquaints students with what is required for a doctoral dissertation and the necessary associated research process. The course includes three (3) threads, or major areas of study. The first provides the structure and groundwork for a workable dissertation. The second focuses on identifying an appropriate topic of interest for a dissertation and beginning the development of a related and relevant review of the literature. The third course thread bridges viable dissertation topics with concise problem statements and potential research methods. Students complete an extensive annotated bibliography and a scholarly argumentative paper, both based on a viable dissertation topic approved by the course instructor. This course is a prerequisite for Dissertation Seminar I, dedicated to the process of writing Chapter 1 of the student?s dissertation. 3 Credits