1 COM500: Introduction to Graduate Studies (Fall, 2015) Monday: noon – 12:50 pm 344 Reese Phifer Hall Instructor Email Office phone Office Office hour Dr. Lu Tang ltang1@ua.edu 205-348-8076 RPH 210G 1:30-3:30 pm Monday and Thursday or by appointment Course materials Recommended Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.). (2009). Or MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. (2009) Course Objectives The primary goal of this course is to orient new graduate students to the expectations and procedures of graduate study in the department. Topics covered include developing the plan of study, thesis prospectus, comprehensive examination, and choosing advisors and committees. At the conclusion of the course, students will be able to: 1. successfully complete the paperwork required for the MA program and be familiar with the policies and procedures of the program. 2. select an advisor and work with advisor to develop a plan of study. 3. demonstrate knowledge about the resources and skills which will help her/him to be successful. 4. develop a greater understanding of the graduate-level academic culture Course assignments 1. Personal narrative essay (10%) You are going to write a five-page double spaced personal narrative essay describing your academic background (or personal, if it is relevant to your academic interest), why you choose to come to UA for your MA degree and what your expectations of graduate studies are. You can also write it in the form of a letter, e.g., a letter to a parent, a family member or a friend. This assignment is due on September 14th. 2. Class attendance and participation (30%) 2 We are going to cover some very important and very practical information in class. So it is essential that you attend all classes. As graduate students, you have made a commitment to furthering your education. That commitment affects the culture of each class that you are in, and thus, I expect that you will always choose to come to class. By attending, I will presume that you have done your reading, completed your assignments, and will be prepared to contribute positively to our class culture. Missing 2 can result in a full-letter grade deduction. After 3 absences, I reserve the right to assign you an “F” regardless of your numerical grade. If you have extenuating circumstances for attendance (true illness, death in the family, sick children, please let me know in advance of class.). What’s more, I expect you to participate fully in class, in terms of engaging in class discussion, asking and answering questions, and respecting your classmates. 3. Department colloquia attendance (30%) The department will organize a number of colloquia throughout the semester. You are expected to attend all of them. Missing one will cost you 5 points until you have lost all the 30 points. 4. Advisor selection (5%) You will need to select an advisor and inform me in writing by Oct 5. If you fail to do so, I will assign an advisor to you. You need to bring a hardcopy of the form to class and submit a scanned copy on blackboard. 5. Plan of study form (5%) After you have chosen an advisor, you will need to work with your advisor and complete your plan of study by Oct 19. You need to bring a hardcopy of the form to class and submit a scanned copy on blackboard. The form can be found on http://comstudies.ua.edu/files/2013/01/plnform.pdf 6. Individual meeting with instructor (5%) You will need to set up an one-on-one meeting with me in October to discuss your progress in the program. 7. Final reflection essay (15%) You are going to write a five-page double spaced essay or a letter to summarize what you have learned about graduate school in this semester: what are some of the things you have expected, what are some of the things that surprised you, and how you have developed as a graduate student. This assignment is due on November 30th. Course Policies Policy on Missed Exams & Coursework All assignments are due at the beginning of the class on the due date. Late assignments are strongly discouraged. There is a 5% penalty for each day the assignment is late (including weekends and holidays). 3 Makeups can only be arranged for legitimate and verifiable absences. If the absence is known ahead of time, you must make arrangements with us before the day the assignment is due. Policy on Academic Misconduct All students in attendance at The University of Alabama are expected to be honorable and to observe standards of conduct appropriate to a community of scholars. The University expects from its students a higher standard of conduct than the minimum required to avoid discipline. All acts of dishonesty in any academic work constitute academic misconduct. This includes but is not necessarily limited to the following: 1. Cheating — using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, study aids or computer-related information. 2. Plagiarism — representing the words, data, works, ideas, computer program or output or anything not generated in an authorized fashion, as one’s own. 3. Fabrication — presenting as genuine any invented or falsified citation or material. 4. Misrepresentation — falsifying, altering or mistaking the contents of documents or other materials related to academic matters, including schedules, prerequisites and transcripts. Academic misconduct includes all acts of dishonesty in any academically related matter and any knowing or intentional help or attempt to help, or conspiracy to help, another student. The Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Policy will be followed in the event of academic misconduct. Cultural Diversity Statement The mission of The University of Alabama is to advance the intellectual and social condition of the people of the State through quality programs of teaching, research, and service. That educational mission is enhanced by the robust exchange of ideas that occurs within a diverse and inclusive learning environment. Students who learn from each other and from faculty members and administrators (including those at the highest levels of leadership) in an environment with a variety of backgrounds are better able to understand, appreciate, and contribute to our twentyfirst century global society. Consequently, the University endorses a student, faculty, and administrative community enriched by women and men of diverse national origins, races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, cultures, socioeconomic and geographic backgrounds, ages, physical abilities, and religious and political beliefs. The University is committed to offering diverse cultural programs, intercultural education, and other educational initiatives (such as the University Crossroads Community Center) that enhance awareness and appreciation of cultural Disability Statement If you are registered with the Office of Disability Services, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible to discuss any course accommodations that may be necessary. If you have a disability, but have not contacted the Office of Disability Services, please call 348-4285 or visit 133-B Martha Parham Hall East to register for services. Students who may need course adaptations because of a disability are welcome to make an appointment to see me during office hours. Students with disabilities must be registered with the Office of Disability Services, 133-B Martha Parham Hall East, before receiving academic adjustments. 4 Tentative course schedule (Subject to change) Date 08/24 Topic Welcome and introductions, overview of the field, basic advice Introduction Register for class 08/31 Guidelines for MA students 09/07 No class-Labor day 09/14 Faculty panel 1 09/21 Faculty panel 2 09/28 Library resources – Guest speaker 10/05 How to write an academic paper APA/MLA Reference software 10/12 Plagiarism and how to avoid it 10/19 Academic conferences: Sharing your work with wider audiences 10/26 Individual meetings 11/02 Individual meetings 11/09 PhD programs 11/16 No class- individual appointments 11/23 No class- individual appointments 11/30 Moving on … life after the first semester Due Personal narrative essay due. Advisor selection due Plan of study due Final reflection essay due
