Making the Connection: A Curriculum for Preparing for Research and Graduate Studies

1. Making the Connection: A Curriculum for Preparing for Research and Graduate Studies Shayla C. Nunnally, Ph.D. Department of Political Science & Institute for African American Studies University of Connecticut APSA, Teaching and Learning Conference, February 9-11, 2007

2. Presentation OverviewMaking the Connection: A 5-Step Process • Identify the students’ talents. 2. Approach students with graduate studies as an option. 3. Recognize students’ limited knowledge about political science as a discipline. 4. Guide students through an understanding of research and graduate studies. 5. Mentor students through their professional development.

3. Step 1: Identify the Students’ Talents. • Do the students think highly analytically? • Do the students critique readings and political issues with a penchant for research inquiry? • Do the students approach class papers with an appreciation for readings outside curricular readings? • Do the students appreciate political science but do not know about the scholarship that produces it? If “yes” answers any of these questions, make room for a future scholar!

4. Step 2: Approach Students with Graduate Studies as an Option. • Political Science is not just about law school…. • There’s another world out there that creates knowledge. • There are people who write scholarship on politics. • Students can be trained to become a contributor to this scholarship!

5. Step 3: Recognize Students’ Limited POLS Knowledge. • Undergraduates have the potential to become scholars, but their skills set and knowledge may be limited about: • a career as an academician • training to be an academician • methods of research • writing in the discipline

6. Step 4: Guide Students Through an Understanding of Research and Graduate Studies. • Define curricular objectives. • Review the scientific method • Review the significance of social science research • Discuss discipline-specific writing techniques • Discuss business letter writing • Discuss the significance of data analysis • Review different methods for analyzing and presenting data • Discuss the graduate application process • Discuss the graduate studies experience

7. Step 4: Guide Students Through an Understanding of Research and Graduate Studies. • Use undergraduate-friendly texts. • Political Science Research • Manheim, Jarol B., Richard C. Rich, Lars Willnat, and Craig Leonard Brians. 2006. Empirical Political Analysis: Research Methods in Political Science. Sixth Edition. New York: Pearson Longman. • Political Science Writing • Scott, Gregory M. and Stephen M. Garrison. 2006. The Political Science Student Writer’s Manual. Fifth Edition. New York: Pearson and Prentice Hall.

8. Step 4: Guide Students Through an Understanding of Research and Graduate Studies. • Use undergraduate-friendly texts. • Graduate Studies in Political Science • Earning a Ph.D. in Political Science, A Publication of the American Political Science Association. See www.apsanet.org/pubs/ • Guides for Graduate Programs in Political Science • Departmental rankings, U.S. News World Report • Student-selected priorities, See http://www.phds.org/rankings/political-science/

9. Step 4: Guide Students Through an Understanding of Research and Graduate Studies. • Construct a multi-tasked syllabus. • Graduate Studies • Consideration of graduate programs (degrees, size, location, specialty areas, rankings, financial aid) • Requirements for application • GRE registration and preparation • Mentoring possibilities • Curriculum Example: 2007 TLC--Curriculum Example--Researching Graduate Studies Programs--SCN.pdf

10. Step 4: Guide Students Through an Understanding of Research and Graduate Studies. • Construct a multi-tasked syllabus. • Research • Research interests • Bibliographic searches • Archival data searches • Theory development • Testing hypotheses • Operationalization and measurement • Methodology • Ethics and research with human subjects (protocols and Institutional Review Boards) • Curriculum Example: 2007 TLC--Curriculum Example--Building Research Skills--SCN.pdf

11. Step 4: Guide Students Through an Understanding of Research and Graduate Studies. • Construct a multi-tasked syllabus. • Writing Assignments (sensitive to application deadlines) • Argumentative papers • Public opinion papers • Business letters (cover letters, recommendation letter requests) • Personal Statements • Writing samples • CVs • Curriculum Example: 2007 TLC--Curriculum Example--Building Writing Skills--SCN.pdf

12. Step 4: Guide Students Through an Understanding of Research and Graduate Studies. • Construct a multi-tasked syllabus. • Research Practicum • Methodologies • Field research • Data analysis • Data presentation • Curriculum Example: 2007 TLC--Curriculum Example--Research Practicum.pdf

13. Sample Syllabus: A Course in Research, Writing, and Graduate Studies Preparation • Curricular Modules • Part I. Introduction to Research, Writing, and Graduate Studies • Module 1: An Introduction to Graduate School Admissions and Studies • Module 2: Mapping the Research Process and Writing • Module 3: Building a Theoretical Background • Module 4: Designing Research Studies • Module 5: Data Analysis and Presentation I • Part II. Research Practicum • Module 6: Methodological Approaches • Module 7: Data Analysis and Presentation II

14. Step 5: Mentor Students Through Their Professional Development. • Assist students in understanding aspects of graduate studies and the profession. • Program acceptance • Degree matriculation • Thesis-writing • Fellowship applications • Conference presentations • Networking • Job placements

15. SummaryMaking the Connection: A 5-Step Process 1. Identify the students’ talents. 2. Approach students with graduate studies as an option. 3. Recognize students’ limited knowledge about political science as a discipline. 4. Guide students through an understanding of research and graduate studies. 5. Mentor students through their professional development.