 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: clarinetmama
Date: 2003-12-09 22:33
Gosh, it has been months since I have been on the board. I have a question for those of you who have been through the defense of a master's thesis. Mine is a cultural history using my father's life as a student and military clarinetist as a case study. (I hope it is more interesting than that short explanation sounds!) I defend next Monday and don't know what to expect. Any thoughts? From past discussions I know there are many of you who are music history "buffs."
Thanks in advance.
Jean
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2003-12-10 16:36
Ford Prefect: It's like being drunk.
Arthur Dent: That doesn't sound too bad.
Ford Prefect: Try asking the glass of water.
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Author: Don Poulsen
Date: 2003-12-10 16:54
I don't know about music history specifically, but have defended a Master's thesis in engineering.
The main thing that the committee will be trying to do is determine if you really understand your subject matter and what you have written. So, if you know and thoroughly understand the topic of your thesis, you should be fine. Realize that you know more about the specific topic than those on the committee and it will help you calm your nerves. Try to anticipate the questions they may ask so that you will have answers at hand rather than stumbling for an answer. I'm guessing that they may ask questions like "Couldn't it also be concluded that..." or "Is it possible that...". We would hope that your opinions or knowledge extend to a sphere somewhat beyond your thesis and you are able to expound upon or defend them.
And, don't try to bluff your way through if you're uncertain of something. The committee members will probably be able to see through that. You can always say something like "I can't claim to have a great deal of expertise in that area, but I can tell you that..."
Again, if you know and understand what you put in your thesis, you should be fine.
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Author: hans
Date: 2003-12-10 17:32
Jean,
While I agree with Don that "Realize that you know more about the specific topic than those on the committee and it will help you calm your nerves.", don't forget that any fool can ask questions that the wisest person can not answer.
Also, I am reminded (true story) of a PhD candidate in mathematics who was asked to prove the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. He had forgotten the proof and consequently failed to get a PhD. The moral of the story is, don't overlook the basics.
Regards,
Hans
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Author: Henry
Date: 2003-12-10 17:42
Hans...How true! For that reason, it's not always easy to help your kids with their home work, as I have found out to my embarassment on several occasions. Too elementary!
Henry
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2003-12-10 22:30
We have a different system in Australia. I am on the verge of submitting my Masters with Honours thesis. I can only suggest, as has been suggested above, that you are thoroughly conversant with the subject area and specifically the scope of your own work. It is also a good idea to be conversant with any other theses written in the same vane or of similar subject matter. Other similar works should have been exposed during your Literature survey stage, if you indeed follow this thesis style in the USA, so you should be aware of anything conflicting or complimentary written by somebody else in your area. This should only apply to stuff written prior to your thesis not what has been written by others during. You should adopt an 'expert' position viz a vis your own work. Also be thoroughly cogniscent of your own methodology.
Remember to have a bit of faith in yourself. They are only auditioning you for membership of their club!
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Author: diz
Date: 2003-12-11 04:38
Ken Shaw ... Doug Adams was a classic, wasn't he?
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