EVENT: Diversity Committee Quarterly Lunch Presentation “Understanding and Improving the Pipeline to Higher Education for English Learners”
Posted on | May 18, 2012 | No Comments
Manka Varghese
College of Education, UW
Understanding and Improving the Pipeline to Higher Education for English Learners
Friday June 1st
12 Noon
English Graduate Student Lounge
B11-13 Padelford
Lunch will be provided
Recent analyses of the postsecondary attainment of linguistic minority students show that one in five English learner (EL) students drops out of high school; one in two EL students does not attend any form of postsecondary education within eight years of high school graduation, and while one in three native speakers of English receives a bachelor’s degree, only one in eight ELs does. At the same time we know very little about the specific challenges and strengths of ELs in their postsecondary pathways. In this presentation I draw on Structuration theory and data from two recent qualitative studies to show how first generation immigrant ELs navigate high school and a four year college in order to academically persist. I discuss in particular EL students’ differential engagement in school and college, their engagement in a range of agentive acts and how these acts seem closely related to the type of college capital they draw on. Finally I present recommendations for high schools, four year colleges, and the links that can be made more strongly between these two institutional contexts.
Tags: College of Education > Department of English Diversity Committee > English Learners > Manka Varghese
EVENT: Conversations on Defining Diversity: Accommodation is More Than Just a Word
Posted on | May 17, 2012 | No Comments
Conversations on Defining Diversity: Accommodation is More Than Just a Word
A Public Forum in the College of the Environment
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
4:00-5:00 p.m.
Fishery Sciences Building, Room 203.
Please RSVP by Wednesday May 23. Coffee and sweets will be served.
A learning disability can keep you from reading. A physical disability can keep you from fieldwork.
Truth, or historical baggage?
Students with disabilities are underrepresented in STEM. Does environmental science select against them?
What if a disability resulted in unique insights, extending our perceptions of what is environment and how to study it?
Get some answers. Join us for a dialog between students and instructors on how the College of the Environment can go beyond accommodation to make classrooms, field trips, labs, and learning more accessible.
Join our conversation with:
Darrel S. Cowan, Professor, Earth & Space Sciences.
Kelsey Byers, Graduate Student, Biology.
Lisa Hannon, Graduate Student, School of Environmental and Forest Sciences.
Francoise Papillon, Fifth Year, Oceanography.
About CoDD: Diversity, equality, engagement, opportunity – these are words laden with value and individual meaning. The College of the Environment is committed to creating and supporting a diverse academic community representing a full range of cultural, ethnic and disciplinary sectors.
One way to achieve that goal is by talking.
Conversations on Defining Diversity is a public forum within the College where we – all of us – can explore the issues, roadblocks, challenges, and opportunities our College faces, as the first step towards brainstorming solutions.
Each conversation will focus on a particular aspect of diversity, and will feature our own faculty, staff, and students speaking about their experiences, often from very different points of view. Come listen, share, and learn.
Tags: College of the Environment > Conversations on Defining Diversity > disabilities > diversity
Philipp Loeffler Poetry Colloquium, May, 25, 10:30 AM to Noon
Posted on | May 16, 2012 | No Comments
Philipp Loeffler, a Visiting Scholar in American Studies from the University of Heidelberg has graciously volunteered to lead a colloquium for UW English graduate students interested in poetry and poetics. He will informally be presenting a paper with the title: “‘Language is the House We Live In’: Language-Centeredness and the Problem of Collectivity in Post-War American Poetry.” The presentation will be followed by a Q&A and discussion.
This event will take place on Friday, May 25th, from 10:30am to Noon, in the UW Club Lounge (aka the downstairs bar in the faculty club). In view of the early start time & the day of the week, the department will be treating attendees to coffee.
Important: PLEASE RSVP to Brian Reed (bmreed @ uw.edu) if you plan on coming so that we have enough copies of Loeffler’s paper available (and so we can know to switch the venue in the case of unexpectedly high demand).
Tags: Philipp Loeffler > poetics > poetry > Post-War American Poetry > University of Heidelberg
Placement Meeting with DGS & Chair, June 5, CMU 202, 2-5 PM
Posted on | May 15, 2012 | No Comments
Dear English MA and Ph.D. graduate students and recent Ph.D.s,
Brian Reed (Director of Graduate Studies) and Gary Handwerk (Chair) invite you (and recent PhDs) to an End-of-the-Year Meeting for a two-part conversation:
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Simpson Center Conference Room, CMU 202-204
2:00-2:55 Placement Meeting for Autumn Quarter Job Seekers going on the market in the fall
2:55-3:00 BREAK
3:00-5:00 Presentation of the Spring 2011 Survey of Ph.C.s/On-Line Graduate Program Guide/Discussion/Food
For the first hour, we’ll discuss the job search process, with particular attention to things that those of you on the market will need to be doing this summer and next fall. For the last couple hours (as long as people want to stay), we’ll be having a conversation primarily about the exam and dissertation process, with the starting points for that discussion being: 1) a 24-question survey of Ph.C.s completed last spring by 39 students then in the process of working on their dissertations, and 2) the nearly complete on-line graduate program guide. The goal of this second part of the conversation (long-term) is to see if there are some specific measures we can take to improve the process for everyone involved–students, faculty, staff. Graduate faculty will be conducting a parallel discussion, which started earlier this quarter and will continue through the fall.
Please come if you’re interested. Feel free to attend the entire time, the first part only, or arrive at 3:00 for the second part only. Food and drink (of kinds to be determined) will be available.
Department Awards for Graduate Students Teaching in English Department Writing Programs
Posted on | May 15, 2012 | No Comments
The Expository Writing Committee (Bawarshi, Simmons-O’Neill and Gillis-Bridges) is pleased to announce the recipients of our department’s awards for Graduate Students teaching in English Department Writing Programs.
Co-winners of the Richard J. Dunn First Year Teaching Award (English 131) are Taylor Boulware and Mandy Hobmeier. The Dunn Award Honorable Mention recipients are Ned Schaumberg and Kristen Young.
The winner of the Joan Webber Award for Outstanding Teaching by a Graduate Student in English Department Writing Programs is Jennifer Malone (English 131 and English 297 writing links with English 301). Webber Award Honorable Mention recipients are David Holmberg (English 111 and 281) and Ariel Wetzel (English 121).
Please join us in congratulating these outstanding teachers.
Tags: English Department Writing Programs > Joan Webber Award for Outstanding Teaching by a Graduate Student in English Department Writing Programs > Richard J. Dunn First Year Teaching Award
Reminder: GSO Coffee Hour, Thursday, May 10, 10:30 AM, Grad Lounge
Posted on | May 9, 2012 | No Comments
Come and perk yourself up at the first GSO coffee hour on Thursday, May 10th at 10:30am. The GSO will be in the grad lounge with coffee if you have time to stop in and grab a cup–staying to chat is a bonus.
Hope to see you there!
National Academy of Education/Spencer Foundation Dissertation and Postdoctoral Fellowship Programs
Posted on | May 9, 2012 | No Comments
We are pleased to share information on the application process for the National Academy of Education/Spencer Foundation Dissertation and Postdoctoral Fellowship Programs. Please help us widely distribute information on the two fellowship programs to qualified candidates, listservs and other electronic sources by using the paragraphs below. Thank you for your assistance.
The National Academy of Education (NAEd) invites applicants for the following fellowship programs:
National Academy of Education/Spencer Dissertation Fellowship Program
The NAEd/Spencer Dissertation Fellowship Program seeks to encourage a new generation of scholars from a wide range of disciplines and professional fields to undertake research relevant to the improvement of education. These $25,000 fellowships support individuals whose dissertations show potential for bringing fresh and constructive perspectives to the history, theory, or practice of formal or informal education anywhere in the world. Fellows will also attend professional development retreats and receive mentorship from NAEd members and other senior scholars in their field. This highly competitive program aims to identify the most talented emerging researchers conducting dissertation research related to education. The Dissertation Fellowship program receives many more applications than it can fund. This year, up to 600
applications are anticipated and about 25 fellowships will be awarded. Additional guidelines and the fellowship application form will be available on our website later this summer. Website: http://naeducation.org/NAEd_Sp
National Academy of Education /Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
The NAEd/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship Program supports early-career scholars working in critical areas of educational scholarship. Fellows will receive $55,000 for one academic year of research, or $27,500 for each of two contiguous years, working half time. Fellows will also attend professional development retreats and receive mentorship from NAEd members and other senior scholars in their field. Applicants must have had their PhD, EdD, or equivalent research degree conferred between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2012. This fellowship is non-residential, and applications from all disciplines are encouraged. Up to twenty NAEd/Spencer Fellowships will be awarded. Additional guidelines and the fellowship application form will be available on our website later this summer. Website: http://naeducation.org/NAEd_Sp
Contact Information:
Philip Perrin, Program Officer – Professional Development Programs
E-mail: info@naeducation.org
Website: www.naeducation.org
The National Academy of Education greatly appreciates support and funding from the Spencer Foundation to provide and administer these fellowship programs. For more information on the Spencer Foundation, please visit http://www.spencer.org
National Academy of Education
500 5th St, NW #308
Washington, DC 20001
Tags: Dissertation and Postdoctoral Fellowship Programs > National Academy of Education > spencer foundation
AFRICAN STUDIES PROGRAM GSA POSITION AVAILABLE 2012-13
Posted on | May 9, 2012 | No Comments
The African Studies Program seeks a Graduate Student Assistant for the 2012-2013 academic year. The African Studies GSA is a 20 hr/week position. The GSA’s responsibilities are:
· Serve as academic advisor for undergraduate students pursuing the African Studies Minor (about 5 hours per week)
· Provide students with up-to-date information about Africa related courses around campus by compiling quarterly course lists
· Visit African Studies courses to inform students about the minor
· Identify and implement additional methods to publicize the minor
· Upgrade and maintain African Studies Program web site
· Check and respond to e-mails and phone calls directed toward the African Studies Program
· Research and maintain a variety of program resources
· Produce attractive printed and electronic publicity for African Studies Program events and help publicize local Africa-related events
· Attend African Studies meetings, prepare materials for distribution, and take and circulate minutes
· Assist in the preparation of grant materials
· Update electronic mailing lists
· Update information in data management system; maintain filing system
· Assist with all African Studies Program events (may include occasional evening and weekend work)
· Assist African Studies Chair with various other tasks as assigned
· Management of program budgets
The African Studies GSA will receive a salary at the appropriate level for rank. (See stipend schedule at
http://www.grad.washington.
To apply, please email a CV, a 1-page cover letter and the names and contact information of 2 references to:
Kay D’Souza, African Studies Program, africa1 @ u.washington.edu
We will accept applications until the position is filled.
Tags: African Studies Program > Graduate Student Assistant > GSA
FELLOWSHIP: Joff Hanauer Endowment for Excellence in Western Civilization
Posted on | May 9, 2012 | No Comments
Applications are now open for supplemental graduate fellowships in the amount of $5000 for the period Sept. 15, 2012-June 15, 2013 for graduate students whose work and research involves Western civilization, broadly defined. Hanauer Fellows will participate in a bi-monthly seminar led by John E. Toews, Joff Hanauer Distinguished Professor for Western Civilization. The goals of the program are to foster creative and critical work in the Western cultural tradition and to help prepare teachers from different disciplines who have well-reasoned convictions about the place of Western civilization in the curriculum of an American liberal arts institution. The seminar enables students from different disciplines to work together and understand the commonalities and differences in their disciplinary perspectives. The activities of the group will be determined in part by the specific interests of the fellows. Fellows will help plan a speakers program, and will be encouraged to remain connected with the program after the term of their fellowship.
Successful applicants will demonstrate a strong record of achievement and commitment to critical study of Western culture as a whole or to some specific aspect of it in a context that generates reflection on Western civilization and/or its place in a global context. Graduate students at all levels are encouraged to apply; this is not specifically a dissertation fellowship.
Submit the following materials as e-mail attachments to Kathy Mork <kmork @ u.washington.edu> by 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 17, 2012:
One page “Application for Hanauer Fellowship.” Outline your record of achievements and describe your commitment to the study of Western civilization. In addition, detail your preparation for engaging with disciplines outside your own. On a separate sheet, describe how your research and teaching plans engage the topic and your vision of your teaching career.
(Please note: neither Kathy nor Brian know precisely what they mean by “Western Civilization” either; feel free to define it as you understand the term in your application materials.)
Tags: Joff Hanauer Endowment for Excellence in Western Civilization
Notes from the GSO Q&A Session with Brian Reed: Program Requirements / MA Degree
Posted on | May 2, 2012 | No Comments
GSO Q&A Session with Brian Reed: Program Requirements / MA Degree | April 19th, 2012 | Grad Lounge
First Steps
- See Kathy Mork in the Graduate Studies office to discuss your progress and timeline
- Plan to meet with her once more before getting the degree to make sure your credits and other requirements are in order
The MA Degree
- Apply for the MA degree with the Graduate School: https://www.grad.washington.edu/student/mastapp.aspx.
- Note that there is a time-limit – apply for the degree within the first two weeks of the quarter you intend to receive it (the quarter you submit your MA essay)
Course Work
- Need 40 credits of graded, graduate level work to get the MA
- Transfer credits from other graduate programs are rare (see Kathy to discuss)
- Internships and CW workshops don’t count; undergraduate work doesn’t count
- Graduate Studies Director needs to approve coursework outside the department
- PhD chair approves coursework outside the department after the MA is received
- Generally, the MA takes 4 quarters minimum, 6 quarters maximum
Language Requirement
- Doesn’t count towards coursework
- Need a 3.0 or higher in the final class of a 2nd year undergraduate course sequence
- Or a 3.0 in a class taken within 3 years prior to entrance into the program
MA Essay: logistics
- Considered “capstone” for the MA degree
- Three options to choose from:
- Register for 2 quarters; receive 5 credits per quarter; ideally spend first quarter researching and second quarter writing; will receive grade for each quarter
- Register for 1 quarter only; receive 5 credits for the quarter; ideally revise and expand a completed seminar paper
- Register for 1 quarter only. receive 10 credits for the quarter; not required to be registered for a second class; devote all time to research and writing
- MA essay credits count towards the MA degree
- The quarter you pick to begin the essay, pick up a form with Kathy Mork in the Graduate Studies Office to indicate which of the three directions you will go in
- MA essay director needs to sign the form
- Register for ENGL 590 in the Graduate Studies Office (not online)
- Pick a director for your MA essay; this professor must be in the English department; they can continue working with you through the PhD though this is not mandatory
- Pick a 2nd reader for your MA essay in consultation with your director; this professor doesn’t have to be in the English department
- Plan on having a conversation with your potential director the quarter before you intend to start the essay; have the director officially picked out that quarter
MA essay: expectations
- It’s an “essay,” not a thesis
- Should be article length depending on your field of study (approx.. 25-45 pages)
- Envision it as a draft of an article or prelude to dissertation chapter
- Writing and revision process dependent on director; committees work differently
Next Steps: PhD Letter
- Submit the PhD letter the quarter after you receive your MA degree
- View letter as a “hypothesis,” not a contract
- Must have the committee picked out before beginning the letter
- Format of the letter – three paragraphs:
- Detail the work you’ve done up to this point (coursework and MA essay)
- Detail the area of study that you are now interested in; introduce three potential exam areas (meet with your director first: they will help you decide)
- Introduce your exam committee: you will need to have your committee chair solidified at this point; the other two professors do not have to be; all three don’t have to be in the same field; you can have professors from other departments; a professor from a different department can only co-chair with someone from the department (they can’t be the sole chair)
- Your chair has to sign the letter
- Graduate Studies Committee then approves the letter; they vote” you in; you will receive an email after this happens
Contact
- Official description on the English Departmen website: http://depts.washington.edu/engl/grad/guide/MA/
- Questions? Please see:
Brian Reed, Graduate Studies Director, Padelford A105
Kathy Mork, Graduate Studies Administrator, Padelford A105
- Want to hear about the experiences of other graduate students?
Email me, Maya Smorodinsky (mdinsky @ uw.edu), and I will set you up with a mentor.
Tags: language requirement > lore > MA Degree > MA essay > PhD Letter