EBOOK - THE DISSERTATION

I came upon the word dissertation only upon taking my graduation thesis.  The faculty especially the dean required the use of a book by Robert Hershberger (The Architectural Methods of Research).  Though the architecture department gave us this sort of Architectural Thesis guidelines handouts, still this book by Hershberger serves to be crucial for the methods of research for the contents of the dissertation.  And so anyone who decided to just settle for the handouts as a thesis guide ended up confused and thus is led to try to read and pore on through the thick Hershberger book.

I remembered having to photocopy some of the pages of that book.  I could even remember having noticed a sleeve at the last page where a compact disk is kept. I could imagine the comfort then of having the cd instead of having to keep photocopying the important pages of the book. It was also frustrating to have to wait for your turn in having to read just portions of the book. We would come in groups for the photocopies so we wouldn't have to waste time.

Back then it was not that easy to work with a computer especially the internet. Or even the cellphones. It was those times then when AutoCadd was introduced. Cellphones and internet was starting to dominate the communication scene. There had been a lot of startups on technological innovations those times.  Most of the students like my classmates then tend to work while studying. They were either connected to an architectural firm or an engineering form as a draftsman or the same.  Either way, it was not that surprising to get to meet and see them only after office hours.  And it was equally made convenient that subjects especially the dissertation were offered after office hours too. 

I met who were busy talking with each other about their schedules. For thesis students were allotted different schedules for a talk with the advisers and the chairs. This is somewhat the atmosphere upon having a dissertation at least in my Architecture school.

But enough of my introduction. Here I'd be writing about a book appropriately entitled "The Dissertation - An Architecture Student's Handbook".  As I came upon this downloadable ebook somewhere, I would always have this thought on why this book was not available for me back then.  Back then when I would haphazardly have to pore on through a book that was so thick, it made me want to bang my head on to.  But here it is. Simply titled "The Dissertation". 

At the introduction, the book explains why write a dissertation. Students of Architecture need to realize that Architecture is not only about images and models.  Words, too are an integral part of what Architecture is all about. A Dissertation is basically Architecture made of words.  Architecture which is conceived through sentences, paragraphs, and considered arguments. It is to be an area of explaining, challenging, exploring, theorize and imagine Architecture.  Without these words, there would be no architects, and no architectural study.

It is understood that a dissertation is a common requirement of many architectural courses worldwide.  Some have this rule - no dissertation, no degree.  In the UK, the dissertation is passed independently of one's design or study.  Therefore, often a part of the requirement for all those seeking accreditation or licensing from or membership of their appropriate professional body (like UAP and PIA), a dissertation means sure degree and professional qualification. So for those wanting to be professional architects, doing the dissertation is not a matter of choice in many countries.

And so this handbook provides a guide to the whole process of starting, writing, preparing and submitting a dissertation.  What to do after the dissertation is also explained as advice here. It is made for one writer to avoid major pitfalls as well as what to do, how to do it, and when to do it. All in this entire handbook helps you in starting, researching, preparing and presenting your written architecture work which is your dissertation.