Time Schedule:
Elizabeth Rudd
EDLPS 598
Seattle Campus
Readings, lectures, and discussions pertaining to significant topics of special and current interest to educators. Focus is on issues related to education in community colleges, four-year colleges, and universities. Topics vary.
Class description
Like anthropologists studying a foreign culture, in this class we will study the unwritten rules and taken-for-granted assumptions of U.S. graduate education, with particular attention to the situation of international doctoral students. The aim of this course is to empower students to get the most out of their PhD program by offering information about resources for international doctoral students at the UW and by imparting knowledge about the culture and values of U.S. PhD programs.
Student learning goals
1. Learn about the institutional context of U.S. doctoral education and the importance of international doctoral students in the U.S.
2. Learn about the elements of US PhD programs and strategies for success in U.S. PhD programs
3. Gain new perspectives on academic practices such as writing, advisor-advisee relations, peer review, and attending conferences
4. Reflect upon the values of academic science and scholarship within U.S. PhD programs
5. Create a place in which to discuss challenges of being a doctoral student at the UW and get input from others on strategies for mastering these challenges
6. Learn about resources available at the UW for doctoral students in general and international doctoral students in particular
General method of instruction
Lectures and discussion; students will also present; guest speakers when appropriate and possible!
Recommended preparation
This class is appropriate for any doctoral student at UW and any advanced undergraduate who is considering getting into a PhD program.
Class assignments and grading
Course Requirements 1. Read assigned texts, participate in class discussion, and participate in class activities 2. Keep a short weekly log of activities and experiences relevant to class topics (items for the log will be supplied to you) 3. Write one short term paper (7-8 pages) on a topic relevant to the class, due at the end of finals week 4. Read and comment on a classmate’s paper draft (twice) 5. Contribute to creating a set of information resources for international students at UW
Grades are determined based on participation and completing the assignments.
