SYLLABUS: 5699 DIRECTED SELECTED RESEARCH FOR ECONOMICS IN THE
INTERDISCIPLINARY DOCTORAL PROGRAM. 1-3 hours (full time) per semester. 12
hours total are required for the PhD.
Professor: L. Randall Wray
Office Hours: Mon/Wed 2-3 pm, W 10-11
Office: Manheim 202C, phone 235-5687
Best Way to Reach Me: email wrayr@umkc.edu.
Description:
This course is designed to prepare students for the challenge of becoming a scholar and for
teaching economics in a tenure track position at a major college or university. It aims to prepare
the student to conduct research in economics in the interdisciplinary doctoral program and to
prepare students for their academic career as faculty. It includes "practice teaching" as part of the
preparation to become a tenure track faculty. The course incorporates an interdisciplinary
approach and emphasizes an active learning component, designed to promote a "rich learning
experience." The training employment is an integral component of the student’s preparation and
will result in the awarding of academic credit. Students are expected to learn how to write a
syllabus; how to prepare for class; how to plan learning activities; how to become skillful in
leading discussion; how to present an effective lecture; how to test and assess student learning;
how to develop effective group projects; and how to motivate their students for lifelong learning.
Students will be required to design a course to be taught at the undergraduate level. The student
will work closely with the faculty advisor. Prerequisite: Must have completed/passed
Comprehensive Exams and advanced to candidacy.
The department has developed a strong mentoring program to oversee doctoral students when
teaching for the first time. This includes close mentoring by faculty of graduate teaching
assistants in the courses that each graduate teaching assistant will eventually teach. After this
close mentoring the department encourages students to obtain outside positions to continue to
practice teach in preparation for their career. This is normally done after the comprehensive
exams, while the student is working on the dissertation and enrolled in Econ 5699. The student is
expected to continuously enroll in 5699 while working on the dissertation and practice teaching.
The student may enroll for 1 to 3 hours in any semester (with consent of the instructor, the
student can be permitted to enroll for more than 3 hours), accumulating a total of 12 hours of
5699.
1) Goals. Preparation for the PhD academic career
A primary concern in this course is to train students for careers of research and teaching in
economics, broadly defined, increasing the likelihood that a student will be able to complete the
PhD program with distinction and embark on a successful teaching and research career.
2) Dissertation:
The student must have been advanced to candidacy with an approved Dissertation
Proposal. The student will work closely with her dissertation committee, and will
attend the appropriate dissertation seminars to discuss progress (alternative
arrangements can be made for students engaged in “practice teaching” outside the
KC metropolitan area).
3) Practice teaching as part of the preparation to become a tenure track faculty
All students expecting to seek an academic position must have
extensive experience in the classroom. Normally a student will first
serve as a GTA in a class taught by regular UMKC faculty. Next, a
student will teach a small class at UMKC under close supervision
of regular UMKC faculty. Finally, the student will be fully
responsible for teaching her own course(s), preferably outside
UMKC. Syllabi, lesson plans, sample exams and other methods of
evaluation will be submitted. Student will obtain at least one report
by an external observer of her classroom teaching as well as student
evaluations of the teaching. These materials will be included in her
portfolio for the purpose of job search.
EXPECTATIONS
1. Create effective and supportive learning environments based on an understanding of student
diversity and effective instructional practices.
2. Plan and teach effective lessons using a variety of teaching methods.
3. Use technology as a tool to enhance teaching and learning.
3. Align instructional objectives, instruction, and assessment.
4. Design instruction and assessment based on an understanding of students, their needs, and
professional educational standards.
5. Understand and be able to develop and use different forms of student assessment.
6. Engage in an ongoing process of reflection about her teaching and the teaching of others,
supporting constructive critiques with reference to principles from this course, from
supplementary readings, and from field observations.
7. Demonstrate her achievement of the above outcomes and of their continuing development as
an educator through their portfolio aligned with professional education standards.
The PhD candidate will submit course syllabi, student evaluation instruments, and student
evaluations of the teacher for every class taught to Professor Wray. These will be provided in a
teaching portfolio that will also include samples of work of students in each course taught. In
addition, the portfolio will include an evaluation by a faculty member (preferably, department
chair) who will observe candidate in the classroom in at least one class per semester. The
portfolio will serve as the basis for evaluation of candidate’s performance in this course.
Evaluation will be based on assignment of a letter grade: A = superior; B = good; C = average; D
= unacceptable; F = failure.
4. Special Requirements for Students on Visa: Curricular Practical Training
What is CPT?
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is off-campus employment that is required by or relevant to a
particular degree program.
CPT must be directly linked to curricular demands; consequently, CPT is designed to supplement
educational experience and is not merely to facilitate off-campus employment.
Who is Eligible to Apply for CPT?
F-1 Visa holders (students)
Students who are enrolled full time at UMKC
Students who have completed at least two consecutive academic semesters
This requirement is not fulfilled by semesters in which English as a Second Language
requirements were fulfilled
Transferring graduate students may be considered for CPT in the first-semester if their academic
program requires such enrollment
CPT and Course-Work Requirement
CPT is only available while there are course or research requirements to be fulfilled for degree
completion
CPT is not available after all course, thesis, or dissertation requirements have been fulfilled
When Should You Seek CPT Authorization?
You MUST apply for and receive CPT authorization from the ISAO BEFORE beginning any
type of internship or off-campus employment
Completion of the CPT session on Blackboard with a passing score is required
ISAO Authorization
Applications must be submitted to the ISAO at least 10 days prior to the anticipated employment
start date
A new I-20 will be issued as work authorization for the employer and the student's records
Eligibility Rules and Form to apply for CPT.
The student must have been enrolled in full-time study for at least one academic year prior to
applying.
The training must be directly related to the student’s degree.
The student must register for academic credit before submitting the application to ISAO.
The student must complete the CPT Blackboard presentation and test before submitting the
application to ISAO.
If graduating at the end of the current semester, you may be able to apply for full time CPT.