Objectives of this colloquium; beginning an academic career; research and publication; the curriculum vitae
Katz, "Graduate Programs and Job Training" in Showalter
Bring a c.v. based on one of the models distributed in the first meeting, and (if you have one prepared) copies of your completed/draft prospectus to ciruculate
Sander Gilman, "What Should Scholarly Publication in theHumanities Be?"; Derricourt, "Thesis/Dissertation" and "Planning and Writing"
Rowson, "The Scholar and the Art of Publishing" in DeNeef; optional: skim selections from Harman, Thesis and the Book : Halpenny, Dowling, Armstrong ("Deadly Sins"), Holmes (I-II)
Proposing talks and sessions; abstracts; the talk as performance; graduate student conferences; finding out about conferences
Bring copies of a paper/proposal for a specific conference
Budd, "On Writing Scholarly Articles" in DeNeef; Martin, "Meditations on Writing an Article" (handout)
Come ready to discuss several journals in your field of interest--look up the circulation figures and submission:acceptance ratios in the most recent MLA Directory of Periodicals (OĠNeill Reference stacks)
Bring a cover letter and a list of four journals with submission of a revised essay in mind
optional: Reitt, "An Academic AuthorĠs Checklist" and Rodman, "Some Practical Advice" (handouts)
Book reviews; "notes" and short articles; reference works
Klemp, "Reviewing Academic Books"
How the dissertation proposal can become a grant prospectus; finding out about grants; specific grants
Argon, "Securing Funding from Federal Sources" in DeNeef
Electronic research and publication opportunities; the use and abuse of discussion lists; e-mail; selected websites and e-journals mounted/edited by graduate students
Campbell, "Effects of the Networked Environment" in DeNeef; "The Electronic Library" in Derricourt
Showalter, "General Advice" and pp. 16-30 of "The Academic Job Search"; Wilbur, "On Getting a Job" and Shetty, "The Job Market" in DeNeef; optional: Kletzer and Schuster essays and Appendix D in Showalter
Nona Fienberg, "'The Most of It': Hiring at a Nonelite College," Alison T. Smith, "Secondary Education" (both in Profession 96); Showalter, 51-56; Figler, "Succeeding in the Nonacademic Job Market" in Showalter; Mark A. Johnson, "Professions beyond the Academy" (in Profession 96)
Ethos of this colloquium: This is an ongoing series of workshops, in which we will all be sharing advice and experiences (as well as puncturing myths and getting past self-limitations). As in all workshops, you should feel accountable to each of the other members: that means never missing a workshop, always preparing and bringing relevant materials, treating one another seriously and with respect (and good humor). All work is "work-in-progress": never hold something back from the class because you don't feel it's ready. Your work (and mine) will be circulated for the purposes of better understanding (and more successfully negotiating) a process, not reflecting on the acheivements of a given person. The work you do in the colloquium should lead to submission of materials--proposals, papers, articles, grant proposals, etc.--to the academic world "out there" during this semester. In the case of conflicts (real or perceived), advice from your dissertation director (or committee) takes precedence over advice from me. The colloquium remains itself "in process": your suggestions will be much appreciated and, whenever possible, implemented.