Spring 2014 Program Development and Consulting for USC

Spring 2014 | Los Angeles, CA – I’m honored to be returning yet another semester to create and deliver cutting edge programs for the University of Southern California’s Graduate School, Office of Diversity Outreach and Professional Development. In 2013, I provided a number of services and program delivery through my company, J. S. Bullock & Associates, LLC, and through my individual consulting at the university.

Programs I have helped to create for their Office over the years range primarily in academic and professional development, diversity in graduate education, and general graduate professionalization among doctoral students. Students across all USC departments and disciplines are welcome to participate.

THUS FAR, here IS A SNAPSHOT OF the 2014 SPRING lineup of programs I HAVE CREATED FROM JANUARY TO MAY.
For complete syllabi, please email me directly. PLEASE DO NOT copy or duplicate in part or in full any of the syllabus excerpts below. Copyright protected and intellectual property rights apply.

 

APD PROFESSIONALIZATION SERIES

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION

The following workshops will be among a set of hands-on sessions that will help guide and instruct students on academic professionalization strategies during and after their doctoral studies. Through mini-lectures, guest speakers, and independent assignments, students will apply acquired knowledge and skills from the workshops to create and/or revise existing competitive materials needed for their academic development by the end of the institute. Additionally, each workshop will have “instructional labs” to develop academic and scholarly skills necessary for successful articulation of research and preparation for advanced doctoral study.

COURSE TOPICS & ACTIVITIES COVERED

Session 1  |  Wednesday, February 5  |  2-4PM

Session Topic“Curriculum Vitae (CV) and Resume Development: Strategies to Effectively Describe and Frame Past Experiences, Create and Maximize New Opportunities, and Help Build and Maintain Your (Inter)National Academic & Professional Presence”

Overview: In this workshop, students will learn the critical elements of constructing a complete and competitive curriculum vitae for their academic and professional development. Students will learn how to integrate their past, current, and future activities on their CVs through ongoing revisions and updates during their doctoral studies. We will also discuss how to identify existing opportunities and create new ones to build one’s expertise.

 

Session 2  |  Wednesday, March 5  |  2-4PM

Session Topic: “From Websites to Social Media: Why and How to Create Your Academic and Professional “Web” Presence While in the Doctoral Program to Improve Your Networking Skills”

Overview: In this session, we will discuss the pros, cons, and overall best practices on creating an online presence regarding one’s academic and professional activities. Emphasis will be placed on utilizing existing university resources, along with, other services to display your past, current, and future work (i.e., research, activities, publications, etc.). Students will learn how to make the best use of these and other social media outlets or professional activities to network during their doctoral studies.

 

Session 3  |  Wednesday, April 2  |  2-4PM

Session Topic: “Within and Beyond Academia: Weighing, Creating, and Maximizing Alternative Opportunities During and After the PhD Program”

Overview: In this workshop, we will discuss preparing for the academic job market, with a special consideration and discussion on alternative employment opportunities within and outside of educational institutions. We will discuss how to leverage one’s transferrable skills to be applied to postdoctoral appointments, governmental agencies, non-profits, and other entities of interest to the audience. we will discuss systematic strategies, methods, and skills to employ in order to establish one’s academic and professional network during and after their graduate studies. There will be special emphasis on how to search for and to create opportunities to expand one’s reach domestically and internationally through research, collaboration, and networking.

Session 4  |  Wednesday, May 7  |  2-4PM

Session Topic: “Making the Most of Your Summer as a Doctoral Student: Sustaining and Advancing Productivity in Research, Professional, & Personal Pursuits, and Cultivating and Maintaining a Healthy Mindset & Lifestyle”

Overview: In this workshop, students will learn how to tangibly prepare their summer schedules in order to maximize their productivity and mental health leading into the next academic year. Special attention will be placed on identifying major and minor academic and professional activities and goals for the summer, and how to strategically plan and accomplish them. This includes identifying potential key academic and professional resources, relationships, and programs that may assist them in their development.

 

Publication Writing Seminar

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course will be an applied series of seminars that will teach students how to revise a previous paper from a course, conference, etc. into a publishable piece of work to be submitted at the end of the 10-weeks. Students will be taught the various strategies scholars may use to revise a former writing project. Through mini-lectures, group work, and independent assignments, students will apply knowledge and skills to develop, edit, and submit a journal article on or near the end of the series. Additionally, the workshop will have “instructional labs” to develop academic and scholarly skills necessary for successful articulation of research and preparation for advanced doctoral study.

COURSE TOPICS & ACTIVITIES COVERED

Session 1  |  Tuesday, January 28  |  6PM-8PM

Overview: In this session, we will cover the seminar series requirements and determine which piece of work each participant will turn into a manuscript for publication by the end of the spring semester. Students will finetune the major arguments in their selected works, develop a writing timeline, and discuss writing strategies to successfully complete their manuscripts.

Part A  |  So What?: Choosing a Manageable Piece of Existing Work to Turn Into a Publication, Determining the “So What?” & Creating/Adhering to a Timeline

Part B  |  Successful “Spring” Writing: Location, Location, Location & Getting Rid of Distractions to Maintain Focus

Session 2  |  Tuesday, February 11 |  6PM-8PM

Overview: In this session, we will discuss methods and strategies in determining the publication(s) and audience(s) best suited for your intended publication. We will review common submission and formatting guidelines for the leading journals in the humanities, social, behavioral and economic sciences. Finally, we will cover ways to organize your article to shape it into a manuscript for publication.

Part A  |  Who’s Your Audience?: Finding the “Best Fit” Publication for Your Manuscript and Understanding Manuscript Formatting and Submission Guidelines

Part B  |  Pulling It Together: (Re)Organizing Your Article and Finetuning the Details

 

Session 3  |  Tuesday, February 25 |  6PM-8PM

Overview: In this session, we will discuss sections of your manuscript that may still need to be developed and/or improved, including gathering additional resources, finetuning arguments, improving methodological sections, etc. We will utilize this session to learn to efficiently factcheck citations and references used within your manuscript to ensure utmost accuracy.

Part A  |  Halfway Mark Check-In: Gathering and Pulling Together the Last and Missing Pieces of Your Article

Part B  |  Being Exhaustive, Not Exhausted: Ensuring Your Sources, Citations, and References Are Integrated, Exhaustive and Accurate

 

Session 4  |  Tuesday, March 11  |  6PM-8PM

Overview: In this session, we will discuss logistical elements of publishing your manuscript and will cover past and upcoming opportunities in both domestic and international publications across disciplines. We will cover the benefits of why/when to send editor queries, and whether it may/may not be necessary to formulate one for your current/future manuscripts.

Part A  | Internationalizing Your Research: Domestic versus International Publications

Part B  |  To Query or Not to Query?: How to Formulate and Submit a Soft Query to an Editor

 

Session 5  |  Tuesday, March 25 |  6PM-8PM

Overview: In this session, we will discuss the iterative process and how to determine when to finally submit your manuscript for publication. We will also cover the common steps that take place after a manuscript has been submitted, for both rejections and acceptances. You will have the opportunity among your peers to raise any last concerns or questions you are still having regarding your manuscript at this session.

Part A  |  When to Stop and Submit?: From the Iterative Process to Finally Submitting Your Manuscript

Part B  |  You Submitted It, Now What?: Understanding the Process After Submitting Your Manuscript

 

Tuesday, April 8 |  6PM-8PM 

End of Seminar Wrap-Up and Manuscript Tentative Completion Deadline

 

 

EDGE Dissertation Writing Group

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The EDGE Dissertation Writing Group (DWG) is a small diversity-focused group if advanced doctoral candidates from underrepresented backgrounds who are post-quals and either approaching the data collection phase or completed through the post-data collection phase. The group will use multiple writing strategies concentrating on moving each individual student’s writing process forward towards the completion of their dissertation. The EDGE DWG also serves additional purposes such as (1) to provide a safe, comfortable space for students of color and students from underrepresented backgrounds; (2) to build community with small groups of students with distinct academic trajectories and personal experiences; and (3) to finish the doctoral degree.

The sessions will be intense, applied, and hands-on in a supportive environment. Through open discussions, independent assignments (i.e., creating writing timelines, critiques, etc.), accountability benchmarks, and other strategies, students will be motivated to apply the necessary knowledge and skills to continue the full development and eventual submission of their dissertations. Additionally, the sessions will help to develop oral communication, and other academic and professional skills necessary for successful articulation of their research and ideologies through dissertation writing.

COURSE TOPICS & ACTIVITIES COVERED

SESSION 1  |  Thurs., January 30, 7-9PM  |  Do I Have Enough… Motivation, Organization, and Focus?

SESSION 2  |  Thurs., February 13, 7-9PM |  Do I Have Enough… To Authoritatively Write About and Present?

SESSION 3  |  Thurs., February 27, 7-9PM |  Do I Have Enough… Strength in My Academic Voice?

SESSION 4  |  Thurs., March 13, 7-9PM |  Do I Have Enough…of My Own Terms, Ideologies, and Theory Inserted?

SESSION 5  |  Thurs., March 27, 7-9PM |  Do I Have Enough… To Keep Me Pushing To The Finish Line?

SESSION 6  |  Thurs., April 10 or FRI., APRIL 11  |  WRITING RETREAT (DETAILS TO BE DISCUSSED)

 

 

DIVERSITY EDGE PROGRAMMING

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The following workshops are part of a special series of sessions to provide support and guidance for doctoral students of color and from underrepresented backgrounds, and to instruct students on academic professionalization strategies during and after their doctoral studies. Through mini-lectures, guest speakers, and independent assignments, students will apply acquired knowledge and skills from the course to create and/or revise existing competitive materials needed for their academic development by the end of the summer. Additionally, the workshop will have “instructional labs” to develop academic and scholarly skills necessary for successful articulation of research and preparation for advanced doctoral study.

COURSE TOPICS & ACTIVITIES COVERED

Session 1  |  Wednesday, February 12  |  4:30-6:30PM

Session TopicTime Management and De-stress Workshop 101: Tangible Strategies and Activities to Improve Your Mental and Physical Well-Being”

Overview: In this session, students will be able to discuss in a supportive environment among their peers any questions, issues, or concerns they may be experiencing during their doctoral program. We will discuss and share strategies to alleviate and improve the health and well-being of their experiences, including activities and topics on time management, accountability, strategic planning, bettering advising relationships, etc. Resources will be provided to ensure students are aware of personnel and facilities that they can turn to when needed.

 

Session 2  |  Wednesday, March 12  |  4:30-6:30PM

Session Topic“Cultivating Your Research and Professional Niche in Scholarship, Careers, & Service”

Overview: This session will be a pilot workshop with the mission of connecting current doctoral students of color with current undergraduate students interested in pursuing graduate and professional degrees. It will consist of pairing students up with possible graduate mentors to assist them with concerns they may be experiencing, questions they have about applying and earning advanced degrees, and other relevant advice. Activities will be integrated throughout the session, including panels, 1-on-1s, and open forum discussions.

 

Session 3  |  Wednesday, April 9  |  4:30-6:30PM

Session Topic“Post Graduate Life, Looking Ahead, & Planning for an Array of Job Market Opportunities”

Overview: In this session, we will discuss preparing for the academic job market, with a special consideration and discussion on alternative employment opportunities within and outside of educational institutions. We will discuss how to leverage one’s transferrable skills to be applied to postdoctoral appointments, governmental agencies, non-profits, and other entities of interest to the audience. Students will then be introduced to other tangible opportunities that may help them to broaden their academic and professional experiences during their doctoral studies. A special emphasis will be placed on both domestic and international activities for which they may consider applying.

Session 4  |  Wednesday, May 7  |  5-7PM

Session Activity: End of Academic Year Diversity Networking Dinner

Overview: This session will consist of an annual end of year networking dinner consisting of multidisciplinary graduate students and alumni from across USC’s schools and departments. It will be a time for everyone to share their valuable experiences, distinct trajectories, and any critical lessons learned during and/or after they completed their doctoral studies. A networking activity will also be integrated into the evening’s session.

 

 

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