EN 934.01 Phd Advanced Research Colloquium (Spring 2012-2013: 3)
This seminar for PhD students in their third or fourth years will be run
as a series of workshops structured to provide practical advice about how
best to facilitate the successful transition from graduate student life
to a professional life in academia. Topics will include the Conference
Paper, the Scholarly Article, the Dissertation, Teaching and the Academic
Job Market. In addition to preparing the required readings and exercises,
students will be asked to present a 15-20 minute conference paper to the
class, and to respond to questions and comments after the paper. Throughout
the semester, students will also work on revising an existing essay for
publication. By the end of the course, then, each student should have submitted
two works for professional critique: a conference paper proposal and an
article. Working toward these submissions will allow students to implement
in a practical, focused way some of the professionalizing suggestions garnered
from our readings and in-class discussions. Part of the function of this
class is to provide a supportive environment in which it is possible to
take professional risks, discuss strategies for addressing the inevitable
stresses of moving toward the job market, and to counter the sometimes isolating
trends of advanced graduate work. As a group, we will attempt to respond
to these challenges with a sense of perspective, the possibility of community
and, hopefully, a bit of humor.
Laura Tanner
Last Updated: 13-MAR-12