MMUF Seminar
2026 Spring Schedule
- Regular Seminars: Fridays 10:30- 11:45 a.m. @ PAIS 2120
Week 1: Foundations & Agreements
January 26th
- Introductions and community building
- Reflection on first semester experiences
- Discussion of research interests and challenges
- Setting goals for Spring 2026
- Collaborative syllabus finalization
- Establishing collective agreements for preparation, participation, and mutual support
UNIT 1: ADVANCED ARGUMENT & SYNTHESIS (Weeks 2-4)
Week 2: Crafting Arguments
February 2nd
- Developing thesis statements
- Identifying scholarly interventions
- Articulating stakes—what makes scholarship matter
Week 3: Synthesizing Multiple Conversations
February 9th
- Bringing disparate literatures into dialogue
- Managing complex theoretical frameworks
- Building interdisciplinary connections
Week 4: Revision Strategies
February 16th
- Tightening arguments
- Structural editing techniques
- Polishing prose and clarity
UNIT 2: THEORY & METHOD IN DIALOGUE (Weeks 5-7)
Week 5: Major Theoretical Frameworks
February 23rd
- How theory shapes research questions and findings
- Engaging theoretical traditions
- Theory as analytical lens
Week 6: Theory Informs Method & Vice Versa
March 2nd
- The relationship between theoretical and methodological choices
- How method challenges and refines theory
- Methodological consistency and rigor
Week 7: Interdisciplinary Approaches
March 9th
- Working across theoretical traditions
- Navigating methodological pluralism
- Benefits and challenges of interdisciplinary research
UNIT 3: RESEARCH DESIGN (Weeks 8-9)
Week 8: Designing a Research Project
March 23rd
- Determining appropriate scope and feasibility
- Researcher positionality
- Ethical considerations in research design
Week 9: Workshop—Research Proposal Development
March 30th
- Peer feedback on research proposals
- Refining research questions and approaches
- Addressing feasibility and ethics concerns
UNIT 4: PRESENTATIONS & SYNTHESIS (Weeks 10-12)
Week 10: Conference Presentations
April 6th
- Effective presentation skills
- Writing compelling abstracts
- Academic networking strategies
- Finding outlets for your work
Week 11: Practice Presentations
April 13th
- Student research presentations
- Constructive peer feedback
- Refining presentation techniques
Week 12: Synthesis & Next Steps
April 20th
- Integrating semester learnings
- Navigating application season
- Planning for continued research development
UNIT 5: PROFESSIONALIZATION & ETHICS (Weeks 13-15)
Week 13: Application Materials
April 27th
- Crafting statements of purpose
- Selecting and presenting writing samples
- Building your scholarly identity
- Program fit and positioning
Week 14: Mental Health in Academia
May 4th
- Sustainable scholarly practices
- Setting boundaries
- Community care and mutual support
- Addressing imposter syndrome
Week 15: Relational Ethics in Scholarship
May 11th
- Honoring people, land, and water in our work
- Bearing witness to suffering responsibly
- Accountability and reciprocity in research
- Commitments moving forward
I reserve the right to change any aspect of this syllabus and schedule, within reason, if there is an unforeseen change at any point in the course. You reserve the right to drop the course at any time without explanation.
EXPECTATIONS
Students are responsible for active participation in weekly discussions, completion of assigned readings and preparation activities, engagement with peers' work through constructive feedback, development of research proposal and presentation, and commitment to collective agreements.