McNAIR SCHOLARS PROGRAM WINTER SYLLABUS
Spring 2013  Seminar IST 499  3 credits
WELCOME
Welcome to the McNair Scholars Spring Seminar, the second term for the 2013 McNair Scholar Program.
This course is a required component of the program and will be a great asset to you during your research
process. This term we will focus on developing your knowledge of the academic research process and culture
of the academy, as well as assisting you with the development of positive and productive faculty mentor
relationships. We look forward to learning with you and thank you for full and thoughtful participation.
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
Instructor/Program Director:
Toeutu Faaleava, MPA, JD, PhD
E-Mail: faaleava@pdx.edu
Telephone: (503) 725-9714
Office: M306
Office Hours: by appointment
Associate Director:
Jolina Kwong Caputo, MS
E-Mail: kwongj@pdx.edu
Telephone: (503) 725-9740
Office: SMSU M302
Office Hours: by appointment
LOCATION, TIMES AND ATTENDANCE
Location: Portland State University, Neuberger Hall 227
Dates and Times: Friday, April 5, 2013 to Friday, June 7, 2013 Hours: Friday, 9am – 12pm
Attendance: Attendance and participation is a requirement of this course, and lack thereof has the potential
to negatively affect one’s grade in the class.
COURSE MATERIALS
The following texts are provided for your use by the McNair program for the duration of the seminar.
(1) Asher, Donald. 2008. Graduate Admissions Essays. Berkeley: Ten Speed Press.
(2) Booth, W. C., Colomb, G.G., & Williams, J.M. 2003. The Craft of Research. Chicago: University of
Chicago Press.
(3) The Princeton Review. 2011. Cracking the New GRE 2012. Framingham, MA: Princeton Review Inc.
(4) Ways of Writing: A Guide to College Composition. 2009.
NOTE: This course uses Google websites. You need to have access to a computer and Internet connection in
order to fully participate. The home page for the McNair website is at:
https://sites.google.com/site/psumcnairscholars/.
Your scholar winter term documents are located at:
https://sites.google.com/site/psumcnairscholars/home/scholar-forms-2012
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HELPFUL RESOURCES
Assistance and one-to-one feedback on any writing project can be obtained by contacting the Writing Center
at (503) 725-3570 or www.writingcenter.pdx.edu.
Helpful information regarding APA formatting can be found at: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/
CAMPUS PUBLIC SAFETY
If needed, please use the following numbers for campus public safety:
Non-emergency: 503-725-4407
Emergency: 503-725-4404
COURSE OVERVIEW
Instructional/Learning Needs:
If you require accommodations (e.g. special seating, interpreter, note-taker, etc.), please inform your
instructor immediately. Students with disabilities should register with the PSU Disability Resource Center
(503-725-4150) to document their need for accommodations and obtain support services. We will work with
you to arrange the supports you need in this class.
We welcome the free exchange of ideas and information in this class. Please be aware that this class may be
recorded and adjust your comments accordingly. During discussion of confidential material, recording is
expected to be suspended. Taped material is to be used only for successful completion of a course and is not
for duplication. If you have any concerns regarding this accommodation, please contact us directly or the
Disability Resource Center at 503-725-4150.
PSU University Studies Goals:
We integrate the following University Studies Goals into our seminar activities and assignments.
Inquiry and Critical Thinking
Students will learn various modes of inquiry through interdisciplinary curricula—problem-posing,
investigating, conceptualizing—in order to become active, self-motivated, and empowered learners.
Communication
Students will enhance their capacity to communicate in various ways—writing, graphics, numeracy, and
other visual and oral means—to collaborate effectively with others in group work, and to be competent in
appropriate communication technologies.
The Diversity of Human Experience
Students will enhance their appreciation for and understanding of the rich complexity of the human
experience through the study of differences in ethnic and cultural perspectives, class, race, gender, sexual
orientation, and ability.
Ethics and Social Responsibility
Students will expand their understanding of the impact and value of individuals and their choices on society,
both intellectually and socially, through group projects and collaboration in learning communities.
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The McNair Scholars Program Vision and Goals:
The primary goal of the 3-term McNair Seminar is to get you, the scholar, into a PhD program. This
research seminar will help you demonstrate your scholarship and intellectual abilities effectively to apply
and receive admission into PhD programs. We will inquire into research theories and methodologies, sound
primary research strategies, robust analysis of data and information, efficient test-taking skills, obtaining
money for graduate school, assembling impeccable applications, creating personal education plans, and
gaining teaching experience. We will also hone your research and writing skills and create compelling
graduate admission essays.
Program Learning Outcomes:
 To participate in and demonstrate the professional skills of research and presentation.
 To learn about and create the components and techniques for a successful graduate school application.
 To gain an understanding of the culture of the academy and increase effective student role mastery.
 To foster your relationship with a faculty mentor.
Objectives for Spring Term 2013:
1) Choose and apply to the graduate school of your choice; 2) Learn the professional value of academic
research and graduate study; 3) Practice effective methods to search for, critically read, and apply source
materials; 4) Develop a familiarity with the research traditions, methods and current work in your discipline;
5) Gain personal and professional skills necessary for success in graduate study; 6) Develop a curriculum
vita, Personal Education Plan and E-portfolio.
ASSIGNMENTS, GRADING & WORK EXPECTATIONS
General items:
Please be on time. Please notify us in advance if you cannot attend class. Absence due to illness or other
qualified reasons is excused, but you must bring a doctor’s note or other appropriate proof. Three or more
unexcused absences will result in a reduction of up to 20% of your course grade points. If you have a course
schedule conflict you must provide evidence of your schedule to the McNair staff. In the event that you miss
a scheduled class it is your responsibility to meet with the McNair staff each time to cover what was missed.
Assignments:
Your instructors reserve the right to change the course schedule and/or assignments with reasonable notice.
All papers and assignments will be submitted through the assignment file cabinet on your website.
1) Participation and Attendance - You are expected to complete your weekly reading material before
you attend classes and participate in open/reading discussions and in-class activities.
2) Research Update and Reflection
3) Biography for the Website and Program Booklet - Write a 200 word biography of yourself, your
educational experience and your interests.
4) Personal Education Plan - Your personal education plan must clarify your strategy for completing
your baccalaureate and getting into a PhD program.
5) Graduate Admission Essay - Your graduate admission essay must be your best effort, for a great
essay could get you into PhD programs. The length should be designated by the school you chose for
your program search assignment.
6) Curriculum Vitae - Your Curriculum Vitae must include all of your relevant academic and
professional experience. Most graduate program applications request Curriculum Vitae.
7) Graduate Application - Complete all the steps to applying for one of the graduate programs you
identified in your program search.
8) E-portfolio – Complete your electronic portfolio including your C.V. and biography.
9) Spring Research Progress Report - Highlight what you have done so far for your research project.
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Grading Procedure:
This course is designed to achieve the previously listed learning outcomes. Performance assessment depends
on the accomplishment of these outcomes – i.e. grades are not “given” but are “earned.” Students are graded
on the demonstration of knowledge and competence in their disciplines. Grades are earned based on the
completion of each assignment. An assignment is considered complete when its form and content meet the
criteria set forward by your faculty mentor and McNair staff.


If students anticipate that they cannot complete the assigned course work according to the given
timeline, then they should consult with the Graduate Assistants.
Papers and assignments will be graded weekly unless otherwise indicated.
Guidelines:
 Attendance at each class is expected because of the concentrated nature of the work requirements of
the course. If a student is absent, the entire class loses the contributions and involvement of that
student. If an absence is unavoidable, the student should contact a GA prior to class. Participation
points may be made up for absences by arrangement with your GA.
 All papers are to be typed, double-spaced, 12-point font, and written to the standards set forth by the
discipline you study under i.e. APA, MLA, Chicago, or ASA, etc…
 It is expected that all assignments will be turned in on time. Students are to speak with their GA
prior to the required due date if it is anticipated that an assignment will be turned in late.
 Student participation points will be earned through active engagement in the class, respect for the
thoughts, ideas and contributions of others, preparation of class material in advance of the class and
completing group and break out tasks.
 It is expected that all participants will have read and thought about assigned material prior to class.
 The secret to success in this course is to do your assignments sequentially and to turn them in on
time.
 Controversy with civility—the rich nature of undergraduate scholarly discussion is likely to raise
opposing points of views. As such, it is expected that individuals and individual perspectives will be
treated with respect in order to facilitate a civil learning environment for all.
 Please refer to the following for further expectations and guidelines:
PSU Code of Student Conduct and Responsibility: www.pdx.edu/dos/conductcode.html
GSE Behavior and Performance Guidelines: www.pdx.edu/education/gse_students.html
Assignment
Participation and Attendance
Research Update and Reflection
Biography
Curriculum Vitae
Personal Education Plan
Graduate Admission Essay
E-portfolio
Graduate Application
Progress Report
TOTAL
Due
Each week
April 19
April 26
May 3
May 10
1st Draft-May 3, Final-May 31
May 17
May 31
June 7
Percentage of grade
20%
10%
5%
10%
10%
20%
10%
10%
5%
100%
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SCHEDULE OF ASSIGNMENTS, READINGS, ACTIVITIES
Week
date
1
4/5
2
4/12
3
4/19
4
4/26
5
5/3
6
5/10
7
5/17
8
5/24
9
5/31
10
6/7
11
Finals
Topic Overview
Readings Due
Checking-In
Applying to Graduate School
Funding Opportunities & Tips
Faculty & Scholar Orientation
Graduate Admissions
Essays, review Ch 1-4,
read chapter 9
Graduate Admissions Essays & CVs
Grant writing for funding research
Fellowship/Scholarship Essays
Scholarly Biography
Data Analysis Tool in Computer Lab
SPSS, Excel
Qualtrics survey design
STEM data management, analysis
Personal Education Plan
Overview of GRE
Essay Workshop
Culture of the Academy
Work Session in Lab & Library
Checking-In
Self-Care, Stress Management,
SHAC representative
Culture of the Academy
Research Activity
Culture of the Academy
Diversity and Identity Mapping
Workshop
Culture of the Academy
Preparation for Summer Research
Internship
Graduate Admissions
Essays, Chapters 5-7
Honor Cord Presentation
No formal class meeting
Assignments Due
Make sure your mentor gets
to the Orientation event 
Research Update and
Reflection
Biography for website and
program booklet
GRE Part 1
Graduate Admissions
Essays, Chapter 8
Rough draft of Grad
Admissions Essay
Final Draft of CV
Personal Education Plan
ePortfolio
Graduate Application,
including Admission Essay
Progress Report
All outstanding assignments
due
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