MATX Core Curriculum
Workshop

This course, exclusively intended for the first-year MATX students, provides an in-depth orientation to fulfilling the requirements of the MATX PhD. Each week we go over one central task in the PhD program, occasionally adding readings or other supplementary mateiral to address specific issues students want to explore in more detail.

Text

• Gregory M. Colón Semenza, Graduate Study for the Twenty-First Century: How to Build an Academic Career in the Humanities. Revised and expanded edition, Palgrave Macmillan, 2010.

Assignments and Evaluation

Assessment for this course is on a pass/fail basis and is based solely on the student's participation in the course.

Policies

• This course is taught primarily via discussion. Your attendance and participation are vital to its success.
• No late work is accepted in this class. Work handed in late is automatically marked down one-third grade (e.g., a B becomes a B-) for each day it is late, and after one week becomes a failing grade for the assignment.
• You are expected to have done the primary reading and any other primary course assignments before the beginning of course each week.
• All work in this course is subject to the University's Honor Code. You may work in teams for some assignments, but all written work must be solely your own, and any reliance on published work must be properly cited.
• Final grades for the course will not be released until the entire class has submitted online course evaluations.

OFFICIAL VCU POLICY STATEMENTS

VCU Email Policy

Email is considered an official method for communication at VCU because it delivers information in a convenient, timely, cost-effective, and environmentally aware manner. Students are expected to check their official VCU email on a frequent and consistent basis in order to remain informed of university-related communications. The university recommends checking email daily. Students are responsible for the consequences of not reading, in a timely fashion, university-related communications sent to their official VCU student email account. This policy ensures that all students have access to this important form of communication. It ensures students can be reached through a standardized channel by faculty and other staff of the university as needed. Mail sent to the VCU email address may include notification of university-related actions, including disciplinary action. Please read the policy in its entirety.

VCU Honor System: Upholding Academic Integrity

The VCU Honor System policy describes the responsibilities of students, faculty and administration in upholding academic integrity, while at the same time respecting the rights of individuals to the due process offered by administrative hearings and appeals. According to this policy, "Members of the academic community are required to conduct themselves in accordance with the highest standards of academic honesty and integrity." In addition, "All members of the VCU community are presumed to have an understanding of the VCU Honor System and are required to: 

• Agree to be bound by the Honor System policy and its procedures;
• Report suspicion or knowledge of possible violations of the Honor System;
• Support an environment that reflects a commitment to academic integrity;
• Answer truthfully when called upon to do so regarding Honor System cases;
• Maintain confidentiality regarding specific information in Honor System cases."

More information can be found at in the VCU policy library.

Student Conduct in the Classroom

According to the Faculty Guide to Student Conduct in Instructional Settings, "The university is a community of learners. Students, as well as faculty, have a responsibility for creating and maintaining an environment that supports effective instruction. In order for faculty members (including graduate teaching assistants) to provide and students to receive effective instruction in classrooms, laboratories, studios, online courses, and other learning areas, the university expects students to conduct themselves in an orderly and cooperative manner." Among other things, cell phones and beepers should be turned off while in the classroom. The Student Code of Conduct also prohibits the possession of or carrying of any weapon. For more information see http://register.dls.virginia.gov/details.aspx?id=3436.

Students with Disabilities

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, require that VCU provide "academic adjustments" or "reasonable accommodations" to any student who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity. To receive accommodations, students must request them by contacting the Disability Support Services Office on the Monroe Park Campus (828-2253) or the Division for Academic Success on the MCV campus (828-9782). Please also visit the Disability Support Services website and/or the Division for Academic Success website for additional information.

Any student who has a disability that requires an accommodation should schedule a meeting with the instructor at the student's earliest convenience. Additionally, if coursework requires the student to work in a lab environment, the student should advise the instructor or a department chairperson of any concerns that the student may have regarding safety issues related to a disability. Students should follow this procedure for all courses in the academic semester.

Statement on Military Short-Term Training or Deployment

If military students receive orders for short-term training or for deployment/mobilization, they should inform and present their orders to Military Student Services and to their professor(s). For further information on policies and procedures contact Military Services at 828-5993 or access the corresponding policies.

Excused Absences for Students Representing the University

Students who represent the university (athletes and others) do not choose their schedules. Student athletes are required to attend games and/or meets. All student athletes should provide their schedules to their instructors at the beginning of the semester. The Intercollegiate Athletic Council strongly encourages faculty to treat missed classes or exams (because of a scheduling conflict) as excused absences and urges faculty to work with the students to make up the work or exam.

Campus Emergency Information

What to Know and Do to Be Prepared for Emergencies at VCU:

• Sign up to receive VCU text messaging alerts. Keep your information up-to-date. Within the classroom, the professor will keep his or her phone on to receive any emergency transmissions. 
• Know the safe evacuation route from each of your classrooms. Emergency evacuation routes are posted in on-campus classrooms. 
• Listen for and follow instructions from VCU or other designated authorities. Within the classroom, follow your professor's instructions. 
• Know where to go for additional emergency information.
• Know the emergency phone number for the VCU Police (828-1234).
• Report suspicious activities and objects.
• Keep your permanent address and emergency contact information current in eServices. 

Important Dates

You can view important dates for the Spring 2015 semester in the university calendar.

VCU Mobile

The VCU Mobile application is a valuable tool to get the latest VCU information on the go. The application contains helpful information including the VCU directory, events, course schedules, campus maps, athletics and general VCU news, emergency information, library resources, Blackboard and more. To download the application on your smart phone or for more information, please visit http://m.vcu.edu.

Class Registration Required for Attendance

Students may attend only those classes for which they have registered. Faculty may not add students to class rosters or Blackboard. Therefore, if students are attending a class for which they have not registered, they must stop attending.

Withdrawal from Classes

Before withdrawing from classes, students should consult their instructor as well as other appropriate university offices. Withdrawing from classes may negatively impact a student’s financial aid award and his or her semester charges. To discuss financial aid and the student bill, visit the Student Services Center at 1015 Floyd Avenue (Harris Hall) and/or contact your financial aid counselor regarding the impact on your financial aid. Contact information for the University Financial Aid Office is available online.

Student Financial Responsibility

Students assume the responsibility of full payment of tuition and fees generated from their registration and all charges for housing and dining services, and other applicable miscellaneous charges. Students are ultimately responsible for any unpaid balance on their account as a result of the University Financial Aid Office or their third party sponsor canceling or reducing their award(s).

Week-by-Week Syllabus

Week One. Introduction

• Tues Jan 13

Week Two.

• Tues Jan 20. No class (instructor away)

Week Three. Program Overview; Disciplinarity and Interdisciplinarity

• Tues Jan 27

Week Four. ePortfolio

• Tues Feb 3

Week Five. Choosing Committee and Chair; Dissertation Area

• Tues Feb 10

Week Six. Bibliography exam; Prospectus and Prospectus Defense

• Tues Feb 17. Read Semenza, Graduate Study, Chapter 7, "Exams"

Week Seven. Dissertation

• Tues Feb 24. Read Semenza, Graduate Study, Chapter 8, "Dissertation" (visit from Eric Garberson)

Week Eight. Follow-Up & Review

• Tues Mar 3.

Spring Break. No class.

• Tues Mar 10. No class.

Week Nine. Semenza, Graduate Study

• Tues Mar 17. Read Semenza, Graduate Study, Chapters 2, 5, & 7 (review)

Week Ten. Semenza, Graduate Study

• Tues Mar 24. Read Semenza, Graduate Study, Chapters 8 (review), 9, & 10

Week Eleven. Semenza, Graduate Study

• Tues Mar 31. Read Semenza, Graduate Study, Chapters 11 & 12

Week Twelve. Creative Work

• Tues Apr 7. (visit from Eric Garberson)

Week Thirteen. ePortfolios redux

• Tues Apr 14

Week Fourteen. IRB, Copyright, Images in Dissertations, Depositing

• Tues Apr 21. (visit from Eric Garberson)

Week Fifteen. Review

• Tues Apr 28

Last updated  January 14, 2015.