Academic Writing and Critical Thinking: Preparation for the Doctor of Social Sciences Candidacy Exam

This course focuses on academic writing and critical thinking specific to the DSocSci program in preparation for the candidacy exam, the subsequent proposal, and the dissertation. The course centers on seven competencies, each focusing on academic writing and critical thinking, applied to the typical sections covered in a candidacy exam, a proposal, or a dissertation including the following: the abstract and introduction, the theory and literature review, the methodology and methods, the findings, the discussion, and conclusion, as well as the candidacy exam itself. It is recognized that sections can vary significantly among different candidacy exams and dissertations as well as differences in section names and section sequencing. Throughout these seven competencies, the course incorporates interdisciplinarity, ethics, Indigenization, change orientation, and impact through hands-on experience in writing and feedback. The final assignment is a preliminary draft or practice written candidacy exam.