This course provides academic credit for preparatory work toward doctoral thesis research conducted under the guidance of a Georgia Tech faculty advisor (in this case Dr. De Choudhury). It is designed to support the early-stage development of a dissertation agenda, including the identification of research problems, synthesis of relevant literature, and articulation of potential contributions. While the course does not include formal lectures or examinations, students engage in structured, self-directed activities that lay the foundation for rigorous and impactful research. Areas of inquiry may span computing and interdisciplinary domains, including computational social science, human-centered AI, and the study of digital behaviors, well-being, and the societal implications of data-driven technologies. The scope and direction of the work are determined collaboratively by the student and advisor, in alignment with degree requirements and longer-term research goals.