Betty Sue Brewster, Associate Professor of Language and Culture Learning

Summer 2007 Pasadena

This seminar provides opportunity for doctoral students to present their tutorials for peer review and critique as well as to gain experience in evaluating and critiquing the work of others. The seminar is based on student presentations of their tutorials, and peer discussion critique.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

1. Skill in effectively presenting scholarly materials to a group of peers, and receiving constructive
criticism, evaluation and suggestions for improvement.
2. Ability to summarize your research clearly and succinctly.
3. Skill in evaluating the scholarly work of others and offering constructive criticism and informed critique.
4. Learn from one another’s research and research processes
5. Prepare to join the body of professionals in your field and engage in academic debate for the benefit
of the entire community

COURSE FORMAT

One-week intensive seminar meets daily from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Oral presentations by doctoral students, small group discussion of the presentation, constructive critique.

REQUIRED READING: If you have previously read any of the required texts, please select an alternative text from the recommended reading list or a book approved by the instructor.

The tutorials of other presenters

ASSIGNMENTS:

1. Presenters - Written assignment - By August 6, 2007, submit to the SIS doctoral office a copy of the tutorial you will present, along with a one-page (250-word) summary of your dissertation (title,
problem statement, purpose, research questions, brief summary of methodology, and a list of tutorials with dates and readers). In your oral presentation show how this tutorial relates to your dissertation topic and other tutorials.
2. Oral presentation - 20-minute overview to enable your audience to understand the central problem addressed, highlight your main findings, and summarize the arguments in support of your thesis.
3. Seminar Participants - read the tutorials before the session. Formulate and bring to the seminar in written form two copies of your response to the tutorial:

• One key insight you have gained from reading this tutorial
• One point of constructive criticism of the tutorial – what would have improved it for you?
• After the oral presentation, append a critique on how the oral presentation could have been improved.
• Participate in small group and class discussion of the tutorial and presentation

PREREQUISITES: Registration allowed only with permission of SIS doctoral advisor.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Each Ph.D. student is required to attend 20 presentation-discussion sessions of doctoral seminars and present two tutorials; D.Miss. students must attend 15 sessions and present two tutorials.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.

Last Date Edited: 1 May 2007