Nontraditional Dissertation Creators as Emersonian Scholars (Poster 1)

• In Event: Friday Poster Session 3:05 pm

Abstract

In 1837, Ralph Waldo Emerson articulated his vision of a new type of scholar, an independent thinker who takes a stand against hegemony and defies disciplinary boundaries. In this study, I interviewed and collected survey responses from 15 current and former doctoral students who chose to employ a non-traditional format to create their dissertations. These individuals embody the Emersonian conception of the ideal scholar, representing academic innovation and independence by embracing new, multimodal forms of scholarship, transcending disciplinary boundaries, and promoting democratic, anti-hegemonic discourse. I believe their work can be instructive for current and future doctoral students who wish to utilize alternative formats in the creation of their own dissertations.

Author

• April Vázquez, University of Delaware