Prescott College Master of Arts Program

1. Writing a Study Plan in AE, ED, ES, HU Prescott CollegeMaster of Arts Program Priscilla Stuckey, PhD Humanities

2. Writing a Study Plan Welcome! We suggest you read completely through this slideshow one time before beginning work on your study plan.

3. As you prepare your study plan, here are some things to keep in mind. The MAP Study Plan • You are responsible for your own educational path. • The MAP study plan is your road map supporting your individualized program of study. • What you write here will become the first draft of your study plan. • Soon you will be matched with a Graduate Advisor, who will provide feedback on your plan. • Your study plan is flexible and will be refined as you move forward in your program.

4. A study plan is made up of 3 components. Theory Practicum Thesis

5. Or perhaps they should be arranged like this… Thesis Theory Practicum

6. 2 legs, theory and practicum, supporting the thesis. Thesis Theory Practicum

7. The study plan as a whole will add up to at least 40 credit hours… Thesis + Theory Practicum = 40minimum

8. With these credit requirements … Thesis 12 Theory Practicum 6-15

9. Leaving the rest of the credits for theory. Thesis Theory 13-22 Practicum

10. If you bring a strong theoretical background to your program and you need more practical experience in your field, the balance of your credit hours might look like this. Thesis 12 Theory 13-15 Practicum 12-15 = 40min.

11. The rest of this slideshow is based on the common scenario of building theoretical knowledge while completing only 6 hours of practicum. Thesis 12 Theory 22 Practicum 6 = 40min.

12. Typically a program of study begins with theory … Theory Practicum Thesis

13. But it may begin with practicum and theory together. Theory Thesis Practicum

14. In any case, both theory and practicum feed into and support the thesis… Thesis Theory Practicum

15. Making the thesis a central feature of the program. Thesis

16. You may not yet know your exact thesis question … ? What do I want to find out Thesis

17. But you do know your topic and interests. K-12 Education Sustainable business Thesis Feminist theory Water policy Wilderness guide training

18. How do you shape your interests . . . K-12 Education Sustainable business Thesis Feminist theory Water policy Wilderness guide training

19. Into a coherent plan of study? Thesis Theory Practicum

20. Remember, your Graduate Advisor will provide guidance.What you are writing here is a first draft to clarify your own thinking. You Study Plan Graduate Advisor Theory Practicum Thesis

21. Let’s look at the components of a study plan one by one. Theory ~22 hrs Practicum 6+ hrs Thesis 12+ hrs

22. A good study plan balances breadth and depth in a theoretical field… Theory ~22 hrs Breadth Depth

23. Broad enough to cover the topic or field, deep enough to say something meaningful in a thesis. (Remember, theory is intended to prepare you to write your thesis.) Theory ~22 hrs Breadth Depth Thesis

24. Within theory, 3 credit hours (min.) are devoted to research methods in your field. Theory ~22 hrs 3 hrs research methods Thesis

25. Also, 3 credit hours are devoted to a cohort foundations course called Modes of Inquiry, taken during your first semester. Theory ~22 hrs 3 research methods 3 Modes of Inquiry: cohort foundations course Thesis

26. Together they add up to 4 credits because the Modes of Inquiry course satisfies 2 out of 3 required credits in research methods. (You will schedule 1 more hour of research methods later in your program.) Theory ~22 hrs 3 Modes of Inquiry: cohort foundations course - 2 research methods 1 additional research methods Thesis

27. This leaves about 18 hours to fill with theory-based coursework in your field. Theory ~22 hrs ~18 credits in theory coursework Thesis

28. As you think about writing your courses, two questions might occur to you. Theory ~22 hrs • How do I write good courses? • How do I assign credit hours? Thesis

29. Let’s take the easy one first. For now, assign each course 3 credit hours. (You can always change it later.) Theory ~22 hrs • How do I assign credit hours? Thesis

30. A 3-credit course translates roughly into 20-25 actual hours of work per week for 3 weeks. Theory ~22 hrs • How do I assign credit hours? Thesis

31. To fill 18 theory credit hours (after 4 required credits), you will want to plan about 6 theory courses. 1. Foundations in … (3 hrs) 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Theory ~22 hrs Thesis

32. How do you write good courses? 1. Foundations in … (3 hrs) 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Theory ~22 hrs Thesis

33. Remember the balance of breadth and depth. Theory ~22 hrs Breadth Depth Thesis

34. Think about the social and ecological impacts of your studies and your work, and build this awareness throughout your courses. Theory ~22 hrs Social and ecological literacies Thesis

35. What are social and ecological literacies? From the Prescott College mission statement: “Students are encouraged to think critically and act ethically with sensitivity to both the human community and the biosphere. . . .” For more on social and ecological literacies, see this page in the handbook: http://www.prescott.edu/students/map/handbook/process/SEL.html

36. To choose appropriate courses, do some online research. Here are three ideas; we’ll look at each. • Existing accredited programs in your field • Google Scholar: scholar.google.com • Syllabi Theory ~22 hrs Thesis

37. Find existing accredited M.A. programs in your topic or field. Note the mix of courses recommended in their curricula. • Existing accredited programs in your field Theory ~22 hrs Thesis

38. Do appropriate keyword searches in Google Scholar to locate books and articles related to your topic. (At orientation you will gain access to several comprehensive databases of scholarly research. For now, use Google Scholar.) • Google Scholar: scholar.google.com Theory ~22 hrs Thesis

39. Find relevant syllabi from standard graduate courses in your field or topic. Notice which texts are recommended repeatedly. • Syllabi Theory ~22 hrs Thesis

40. Six courses are not very many into which to build both breadth and depth. Plan carefully. 1. Foundations in … (3 hrs) 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Theory ~22 hrs Thesis

41. For each course, write a paragraph of course description—what the course will cover and what you hope to learn. Foundations in … (3 hrs) In this course, I will … Theory ~22 hrs Thesis

42. Add 2 or 3 major texts you suggest using in the course. Remember, your Graduate Advisor will give input, and your reading list will expand. For now, list a few you think would be appropriate. Foundations in Feminist Thought (3 hrs) In this course, I will … Texts: Hawkesworth, M. E. Feminist Inquiry. Piscataway, NJ: Rutgers Univ. Press, 2006. Theory ~22 hrs Thesis

43. List the texts in the scholarly style used in your field (for example, Chicago Manual of Style, MLA, APA, CSE, SAA, etc.). Foundations in Feminist Thought (3 hrs) In this course, the student will … Texts: Hawkesworth, M. E. Feminist Inquiry. Piscataway, NJ: Rutgers Univ. Press, 2006. Theory ~22 hrs Thesis

44. To find the scholarly style used in your field, look in journals in your field.This example is from Chicago Manual of Style, often used in humanities. Foundations in Feminist Thought (3 hrs) In this course, the student will … Texts: Hawkesworth, M. E. Feminist Inquiry. Piscataway, NJ: Rutgers Univ. Press, 2006. Theory ~22 hrs Thesis

45. In most fields, the majority of your texts should be published by academic presses. (Again, your Graduate Advisor will provide further guidance on sources in your field.) Foundations in Feminist Thought (3 hrs) In this course, the student will … Texts: Hawkesworth, M. E. Feminist Inquiry. Piscataway, NJ: Rutgers Univ. Press, 2006. Theory ~22 hrs Thesis

46. Now that you’ve added all these components, let’s move on… Theory ~22 hrs Modes of Inquiry 1 more research methods credit hour Social & ecological literacies ~6 theory content courses Thesis

47. … to the practicum.The practicum is where you put into practice the theory you are learning. Practicum 6+ hrs

48. Praxis, the application of theory, also shapes theory. Your practicum will affect how you think about your thesis topic. Practicum 6+ hrs Thesis

49. As you think about a practicum, here are some questions to consider. • What kind of work would I like to do after my degree? • What practicum will help prepare me for that work? • What type of praxis will help me refine my thinking about my thesis topic? Practicum 6+ hrs Thesis

50. Write a brief paragraph proposing an idea or two for a practicum. I propose an internship at a nonprofit working with … Practicum 6+ hrs Thesis