Courses

This course is an introduction to academic writing. Students focus on the different written components of the first stages of their doctoral program, especially the MA thesis, but also term papers, conference proposals, grant applications and the explication de texte exercise. They develop skills that contribute to successfully producing these different kinds of writing. The main goal of the course, and its primary focus, is to prepare students for the MA thesis. It provides a welcoming and collaborative environment in which to workshop outlines and drafts. Students also build on skills developed in the first-semester Proseminar by honing their research techniques, including bibliographic skills and knowledge of the expanding range of digital tools. As a complement to their exploration of academic genres, students also begin to explore opportunities for non-academic writing in the public humanities.

The course is organized as a workshop with short weekly readings and, in some cases, writing assignments and exercises. We use collaborative techniques such as brainstorming and peer editing along with writing drills and other exercises.