Department of Sociology
Spring 2006
Professional Seminar in Sociology
SOCY 6831
Thursdays 12:00-1:45
Ketchum 33
Leslie Irvine
Ketchum 223
Office hours: Tuesday 2-3 (and by appointment)
Online version:
Some of the most difficult aspects of graduate study are the transitions from taking courses to writing a dissertation and preparing for (and beginning) your first academic job. This seminar will give you some tools to help you make these transitions. Through discussion, guest speakers, exercises, and reading, we will address many of the concerns students have about moving from graduate student to faculty member.
The goals of the course will vary depending on where you are in the program. All students will produce a CV, or curriculum vitae. In addition, you could accomplish one or more of the following:
· Outline a dissertation proposal
· Finish and submit an article for publication
· Apply for a grant
· Develop professional contacts
You will be required to read two books, both available at the campus bookstore:
Allen, David. 2003. Getting Things Done:
The Art of Stress-Free Productivity.
Nathan, Rebekah. 2006. My Freshman Year: What a Professor Learned by Becoming a
Student.
We will also read several articles, available online.
The topics we will discuss include:
A foolproof strategy for productivity
Academic life
Defining yourself as a faculty member
Writing an article
Specialty comps
Packaging yourself for the job market
Giving a conference presentation
Navigating the professional associations
Applying for grants
Writing a dissertation proposal
Writing a dissertation
Turning a dissertation into a book
During the first meeting, we will expand this list with suggestions from the class.