Syllabus
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
EDU 808: Building the Conceptual and Theoretical Framework – Summer B 2023
Credits - 3
Description
This course is designed to provide students with the opportunity to build their conceptual and theoretical frameworks and establish a practical and theoretical positioning blueprint to serve as the foundation for their approved working topic, the literature review, and the dissertation as a whole. The benefits of visual representations and concept mapping, as well as their choice of a working methodology within the conceptual framework will be reinforced.
Materials
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
- Determine the theoretical framework for their emergent area of study.
- Apply the theoretical framework for their approved research topic and identify its place within the conceptual framework.
- Begin to frame and develop the conceptual/theoretical framework within the Chapter 2: Literature Review.
Assignments
Regular whole class and small group discussions
You will be required to respond to prompts related to course materials and engage with your peers in the course to support understanding and the co-construction of knowledge.
Problem, Purpose and Research Questions
This is where you begin to describe the topic you are studying in a broad context and then funnel it down to your narrow, more focused topic.
Critical Analysis of the Literature Review
You will engage with what you identify as the five of the most powerful pieces of literature that you have gathered for your literature review
Critical Analysis of Theoretical Frameworks
You will critically analyze three potential theoretical frameworks for your proposed study
Concept Map
Create a Concept Map centered around your approved research topic
Chapter 2 Draft
The Conceptual and Theoretical Framework first draft and the Review of Relevant Literature provided in your Chapter 2 will be reviewed.
Dissertation Topic Approval Form and Alignment Tool for Dissertation Development
These forms can be found in the Doctor of Education Handbook: Guidelines and Best Practices and will help you receive guidance and feedback on your chosen dissertation topic.
Grading Policy
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Grade Breakdown
| Grade item | Points |
| Weeks 1–8: Discussions (6 discussions at 4 points each) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 8 Week One Assignment: Problem, Purpose and Research Questions | 24 |
| Week One Assignment: Problem, Purpose and Research Questions | 9 |
| Week Two Assignment: Critical Analysis of the Literature Review | 11 |
| Week Three Assignment: Critical Analysis of Theoretical Frameworks | 11 |
| Week Four Assignment: Concept Map | 6 |
| Week Five Assignment: Chapter 2 Draft #1 | 15 |
| Week Six Assignment: Alignment Tool | 3 |
| Week Seven Assignment: Chapter 2 Draft #2 | 20 |
| Week Seven Assignment: Topic Approval Form | 1 |
| Total | 100 |
Grading
The criteria for all courses in the Ed. D. program are described in the modules and/or rubrics. Assignments will include guidelines with rubrics, descriptions of expectations, or examples, and include point values. Coursework will be assessed and graded using individual evaluation protocols that are provided for the three major assignments. Final “grades” will reflect the following schema:
- High Pass (HP): Work that exceeds all or most of the criteria of the respective assignment. To receive a high pass the work must demonstrate exceptional command and display of all or most required elements;
- Pass (P): Work that meets all requirements and expectations as specified in assignments, and is fully satisfactory in every respect;
- Low Pass (LP): Work is deemed unsatisfactory.
Grade Scale: 95 = HP; 80-94 = P; 70-79 = LP
Note** The instructor will determine if an assignment may be revised and resubmitted for rescoring. Candidates may proceed to subsequent courses in the curriculum with one LP grade, and although there is no failing grade, a second LP course grade results in termination from the doctoral program.
All assignments are to be completed in a timely manner with appropriate accuracy, detail, thought and reflection fitting of doctoral-level degree candidates. All assignments (done in writing or with other media applications) are graded on the basis of faculty assessment of your ability to accurately apply concepts from readings, organization, and mechanics. Please note that you must save all submitted documents in Microsoft Word/Excel/PowerPoint in order for them to transmit successfully. All work must be properly identified and include author(s)’ name(s). Submit all written work in APA style (Refer to the APA Publication Manual for guidance and Help with Citations on UNE Library Services web page under Research Help).
Schedule
Week 1: Jun 28 – Jul 2
Week 2: Jul 3 – Jul 9
Week 3: Jul 10 – Jul 16
Week 4: Jul 17 – Jul 23
Week 5: Jul 24 – Jul 30
Week 6: Jul 31 – Aug 6
Week 7: Aug 7 – Aug 13
Week 8: Aug 14 – Aug 20
With the exception of Week 1, which opens on a Wednesday, each week opens on Monday at 12:01 AM Eastern Time. Each week closes on Sunday at 11:59 PM ET.
|
Week |
Topic |
Activities & Assignments |
Assignments Due |
|
Week 1 |
Reflecting on Personal Interest and Topical Research |
Each week: Readings & Media as listed in the course Week One Assignment: Problem, Purpose and Research Questions Discussion |
Initial Discussion Posts Discussion Response Posts |
|
Week 2 |
Understanding and Identifying Theoretical Frameworks |
Week Two Assignment: Critical Analysis of the Literature Review Discussion |
Initial Discussion Posts Discussion Response Posts Assignment Due: Sunday |
|
Week 3 |
Looking at your Working Dissertation Topic Through Different Lenses |
Week Three Assignment: Critical Analysis of Theoretical Frameworks Discussion |
Initial Discussion Posts Discussion Response Posts Assignment Due: Sunday |
|
Week 4 |
Concept Mapping and Theoretical Framework Evaluation |
Week Four Assignment: Concept Map Discussion |
Initial Discussion Posts Discussion Response Posts Assignment Due: Sunday |
|
Week 5 |
First Draft of Conceptual/Theoretical framework and Revisiting the Literature Review |
Week Five Assignment: Chapter 2 Draft #1 Discussion |
Initial Discussion Posts Discussion Response Posts Assignment Due: Sunday |
|
Week 6 |
Writing Week/ Revisions to Alignment Tool |
Week Six Assignment: Alignment Tool |
Initial Discussion Posts Discussion Response Posts Assignment Due: Sunday |
|
Week 7 |
Pulling it All Together in the Chapter Two: Literature Review |
Week Seven Assignment: Topic Approval Form |
Assignment Due: Sunday |
|
Week 8 |
Reflecting on the Journey and Developing an Understanding of the Path Ahead |
Writing/Reflection Week Discussion |
Initial Discussion Posts Due Wednesday 9as usual) Responses By Friday |
Student Resources
Online Student Support
Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.
Questions? Visit the Student Support Education page
UNE Libraries:
- Library Access for all students: Your library login ID and password are the same as the ones you use to log into Blackboard/Brightspace.
- EDD Databases: View EDD Databases
- Library Tutorial: Find an article
- Library Questions: Ask a librarian or phone library staff at (207) 602-2361 or (207) 221-4330.
UNE Student Academic Success Center
The Student Academic Success Center (SASC) offers a range of services to support your academic achievement, including tutoring, writing support, test prep and studying strategies, learning style consultations, and many online resources. To make an appointment for tutoring, writing support, or a learning specialist consultation, go to une.tutortrac.com. To access our online resources, including links, guides, and video tutorials, please visit:
Accommodations
Any student who would like to request, or ask any questions regarding, academic adjustments or accommodations must contact the Student Access Center at (207) 221-4438 or pcstudentaccess@une.edu. Student Access Center staff will evaluate the student's documentation and determine eligibility of accommodation(s) through the Student Access Center registration procedure.
Policies
Turnitin Originality Check and Plagiarism Detection Tool
The College of Professional Studies uses Turnitin to help deter plagiarism and to foster the proper attribution of sources. Turnitin provides comparative reports for submitted assignments that reflect similarities in other written works. This can include, but is not limited to, previously submitted assignments, internet articles, research journals, and academic databases.
Make sure to cite your sources appropriately as well as use your own words in synthesizing information from published literature. Webinars and workshops, included early in your coursework, will help guide best practices in APA citation and academic writing.
You can learn more about Turnitin in the Turnitin Student quick start guide.
Technology Requirements
Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs
Course Evaluation Policy
Course surveys are one of the most important tools the University of New England uses for evaluating the quality of your education, and for providing meaningful feedback to instructors on their teaching. In order to assure that the feedback is both comprehensive and precise, we need to receive it from each student for each course. Evaluation access is distributed via UNE email at the beginning of the last week of the course.
Information Technology Services (ITS)
ITS Contact: Toll Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673
Attendance Policy
Online students are required to submit a graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. If a student does not submit a posting to the graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm ET, the student will be automatically dropped from the course for non-participation. Review the full attendance policy.
Late Policy
Assignments: Late assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted.
Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded.
Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor and your student support specialist if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.
Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures
The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Graduate and Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.
UNE Course Withdrawal
Please contact your student support specialist if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. The last day to drop for 100% tuition refund is the 2nd day of the course. Financial Aid charges may still apply. Students using Financial Aid should contact the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from a course.
Academic Integrity
The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit UNE Plagiarism Policies.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
- Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
- Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
- Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
- Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.
Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.