CSA Best Dissertation Award - 2012

      Spanish Version

      The CSA Best Dissertation Award is given every two years (next in 2012). Dissertations in English, Spanish or French, completed at an accredited college or university during the previous three years (i.e., 2009, 2010 and 2011), are eligible for the 2012 CSA Best Dissertation Award. The dissertation may be written in any academic discipline as long as it deals substantially with a topic pertinent to Caribbean Studies. The prize is open to applicants of all nationalities, ethnicities, genders and places of residence. However, a dissertation shall not be eligible if it has already been published in book form (or is under contract for publication at the time of submission). Authors wishing to have their dissertation considered, should submit the following documents no later than January 30, 2012, to:
      Holger Henke, Ph.D.
      Assistant Provost
      York College (CUNY)
      94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd., Rm. 2H07C
      Jamaica, NY 11451
      USA
    • A detailed abstract of the dissertation, not to exceed 7 pages, submitted in hard copy and on CD-Rom in MS WORD (2003) or PDF format. The abstract should explain the thesis addressed in the dissertation, the significance of the research, how the dissertation builds on prior work, methodology, and research results.
    • A letter from the dissertation committee's chair, not to exceed 2 pages, attesting that the dissertation was completed between 2009 and 2011. This letter may be in the form of a nomination and may include an assessment of the importance and quality of the work.
    • A CD-Rom containing the complete dissertation in MS WORD (2003) or PDF format.
Other stipulations which apply:
    • Authors of dissertations will have to become a member of the CSA during the year in which the award is conferred.
    • The decision of the Awards Committee is final and not open to appeals. The Committee retains the right to reject any dissertation, which it does not consider to be substantially located within the multi-disciplinary field of Caribbean studies. In cases of doubt, authors may contact the committee chair (Prof. Ileana Sanz, isanz1943@yahoo.com) to determine their eligibility in this regard.
    • A committee member affiliated in any official way with the author of a dissertation accepted for this award shall abstain from the evaluation and (where possible) an attempt shall be made to replace the said member with another qualified CSA member for the purpose of evaluation.
    • The winning dissertation will receive a Crystal Award at the annual conference and will also be reimbursed the 2012 CSA membership fees. The award will also be announced in the CSA Newsletter.