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All proposals have the opportunity to be awarded a scholarship. To be considered for this scholarship, you must fully complete all sections of this proposal and turn it in by Monday,
November 23th . The strongest proposals will have a clearly defined project that makes important interventions/advancements. The proposal must have clearly defined/documented timelines, budgets, and outcomes. These strong proposals also correspond with the curriculum in DCC by thinking beyond disciplinary boundaries, taking creative risks, and approaching problems from multiple perspectives.
ABSTRACT (100-200 words)
You will likely write this after your finish your entire proposal as a summary of what you’ve written.
*This section will be the same for each member of a collaborative project
INTRODUCTION (150-250 words)
Different from your abstract, this introduction captures your reader’s attention and gets them interested in your project. It’s the “elevator pitch” to your reader. It gives context to your project and discusses its significance and/or interventions made. What is the question or problem you’re trying to answer with this project? You could also discuss your motivations behind wanting to do this project.
Your introduction should be written in such a way that a non-expert would understand your project.
Avoid jargon and discipline/technically specific wording.
*This section will be the same for each member of a collaborative project
PROJECT DESCRIPTION (250-300 words)
This is the comprehensive explanation of your project and can use language that is field-specific, addressed to other specialists in your field.
*Note: next semester, if you are completing an arts-based capstone project, you will need to expand this description into an “artist statement.” We will discuss this with those students completing these kinds of projects.
* Note: next semester, if you are completing a technical-based capstone project, you will need to add a section on System design/Block diagram. We will discuss this with those students completing this kind of project.
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* Note: next semester, if you are completing a research-based capstone project, you will need to add a section on methodologies/methods. We will discuss this with those students completing this kind of project.
*This section will be the same for each member of a collaborative project
HISTORY(250-300 words)
For this section, you will need to trace the history and development of the field that relates to your capstone project; in other words, where are you finding both creative and theoretical inspiration?
This could include previous attempts at creating a similar project (successful or not), the social and cultural history surrounding the problem you are trying to solve, critical interventions by artists and scholars that you are trying to address, among other approaches. Ultimately you will be utilizing the readings in your bibliography (detailed below) to construct this history.
* This section may be the similar for each member of a collaborative project but should add individualized role specification (i.e. different fields engaging such as engineering and design or architecture and biology) based off of different bibliographic sources.
SIGNIFICANCE AND DISTINCTION (250-300 words)
“So what? Beyond your own interest in its answer, why would others think it a question worth asking?” - The Craft of Research
For this section, you will need to answer the “so what” question and discuss why this is an important project. How is this a DCC project that serves as the culmination of your time in our program? How is it different from existing projects? You will need to demonstrate that you know the existing projects (e.g. artwork, applications, designs, research models, systems, etc.). In what ways is your project similar (but extends this model and builds upon it) and in what ways is your project is doing something new?
* This section will be the same for each member of a collaborative project but may possibly add individualized role specification
EXPERTISE AND SKILLS (50-100 words)
What you bring and what you still need to learn to accomplish your project. If you have a lot to learn and skills that still need to be acquired to accomplish your project, please include time to learn those things in your work plan/timeline.
* collaborative project should have individualized role specifications
APPROACH (aka “methods”) (50-100 words)
What kinds of research methods would be best suited to the kind of research you are undertaking and the research questions you are pursuing? Are you using hands-on approaches drawn from skills in the sciences, humanities, or arts? Are you combining methods/approaches across fields of study?
* For collaborative projects each team member will submit separately but content may be similar
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WORK PLAN AND TIMELINE (no required word count - based upon project needs)
This section can take many shapes and forms such as a narration of your work plan from week to week or provide a bulleted list of your work plan. Here, we want you to demonstrate that you are thinking through the steps required to complete your project and that your capstone is something that can actually be accomplished in less than a semester of work. Here, you can demonstrate here that you are creating a “seed capstone” that is the first iteration of a larger project.
Examples:
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 http://www.ganttproject.biz
(for collaborative project we encourage this free software)
Timeline apps (Timeli, Timeline 3D, Timeline, Timeline Builder)
Excel
Some variables to consider:
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Lead and lag time (delay) of materials
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When, where or how the task must be performed
The realities of vacations, meetings, discussions and staff interactions and any ongoing
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responsibilities team members may have.
Training time
Build a time reserve into the schedule for contingencies and unforeseen events (minimum & maximum acceptable)
Include:
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Every major objective & then individual steps / appropriate sequence
For collaborative groups -- assign each task to specific person
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Estimate the amount of time required for each task (given current skills)
Place the schedule information in a Gantt or other type of chart
Please note: For technical-based capstone projects please specifically address issues such as platform or cross-platform challenges, developer kit, hurdles to emulating and publishing.
*This section will be the same for each member of a collaborative project but include specifics for each individual.
AUDIENCE (50-100 words)
Who is this project build for and why this particular audience? You may address how such a project fits with the existing goals, desires, and/or expectations of this audience and, if applicable, how it might shift these for your audience by challenging these expectations. How does it fill a gap for your audience’s culture? Keep in mind that your project might exclude certain people (e.g. people with physical disabilities), so it may be good to address how you might incorporate those who are often excluded by similar projects.
*This section will be the same for each member of a collaborative project
BUDGET (no required word count - based upon project needs)
Clearly defined costs. Line item breakdowns of materials and programs needed to complete the project. Realistic.
*This section will be the same for each member of a collaborative project
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OUTCOMES (100-200 words)
How does this project connect to your long-term goals? In what ways will this project live on after your time in DCC? Will you distribute this or build on it in the future? How does it allow you to carry ideas and practices from DCC into your goals for your major and overall interests?
* For collaborative project should have individualized outcomes.
BIBLIOGRAPHY (no required word count - based upon project needs)
You will need to include a minimum of 10 sources with at least 5 of these being academic publications.
* For collaborative projects each team member will submit separately. Content may overlap but should vary by specific role. At least 2 of the required academic publications must be different for each individual.
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