Download Thesis Defense Preparation and Procedure in MA Art History at UAB and more Lecture notes Art in PDF only on Docsity! The Thesis Defense MA Art History, UAB Overview: The thesis defense is a formal defense of the thesis. However, it is nothing to be nervous about, especially since you have made it to this point. All students should discuss their defense with their thesis Faculty Advisor/Chair of GSC since each advisor may handle the defense differently. Budget around 1 ½ -‐ 2 hours for the defense. This includes the defense, suggestions by your committee for revisions, and a meeting with you advisor after the defense to go over the necessary revisions. Dress professionally, but you do not need to wear a suit or anything too formal. Arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the defense to get settled. To bring: Typically it is not necessary to bring anything to the defense, except: 1. A copy of your thesis (all text and images). Some advisors may ask you to bring a powerpoint with images. 2. Your approval forms (2 copies) The defense itself: Generally, a defense will proceed something like this: 1. Your advisor will convene the defense and ask if all the committee members have read the thesis. 2. Your advisor will give an overview of how the defense will proceed. 3. Your advisor may ask you to present a summary of your thesis and/or may ask you to present the main arguments or original contribution of your thesis. (see the questions you should prepare answers to below) 4. Your advisor may want your committee members to begin asking questions of you about the thesis. Often, since your advisor has worked closely with you during the thesis writing stages, s/he will allow your committee members more opportunity to speak. 5. Typically, the defense becomes a more informal discussion of the various aspects of your thesis, after each member of the committee has addressed his/her main concerns or questions. 6. Once the committee members feel they have asked all that is needed and the discussion is winding down, your advisor will ask you to leave the room. 7. At this point, the committee determines whether you have passed or not (if so, they sign your approval forms), and what specific revisions will be needed before the thesis can be turned in to the Graduate School. This usually lasts roughly 10-‐15 minutes. 8. You will then be called back in and informed about the committee’s decision. 9. The committee will go over the revisions needed with you. 10. The committee members will give you their copies of your thesis with edits and suggestions marked on it, or a separate summary of comments. 11. Following the defense, you will meet with your advisor to review the revisions and to set up a timeline for completing them and obtaining the necessary signatures to meet the Graduate School deadline.
