The GLS Writing Program
We understand
that many GLS students have been away from academic work and writing
for some time, or have undergraduate experience that included little
or no academic writing. To assist students in developing the academic
writing skills necessary for successful graduate study and to support
students seeking to refine already well-developed writing skills,
we offer the GLS Writing Program. Directing the program is
the GLS Writing Consultant, who offers private consultations as well
as a series of writing seminars and workshops. There are no
additional fees for these services.
| Writing
Consultant |
- Office
hours: Beginning Fall 2008 -- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 5:00-7:00 pm; Tuesdays, 3:30-5:15 pm; other times by appointment
- Appointments:
919.684.3222
- Email:
kent.wicker@duke.edu
|
| Kent
Wicker, who earned his Ph.D. in English from Duke, has taught
academic writing to undergraduates, as well as Public Policy and
Anthropology graduate students. He has taught for the GLS
program for ten years, during which time he has also worked as
a freelance technical writer and business writing consultant. |
| |
| Private
Writing Consultations |
| Students
can consult privately with the Writing Consultant about a particular
course paper or about their writing in general, either on a one-time
basis or more frequently. These intensive, one-on-one sessions
can be used to better understand assignments, brainstorm topics,
plan reading and writing strategies, structure sound arguments,
get "second reader" perspective on drafts, or generally
improve clarity and style. |
- Consultations
are available in the GLS office at the times noted above; other times by appointment. Contact the office to schedule an
appointment.
|
- If you
seek feedback on a draft, please submit it to the Writing
Consultant at least two working days in advance of the meeting
(and add another day for each additional ten pages).
You can send drafts as email attachments to the Writing Consultant
or drop them off at the GLS office.
|
| |
Workshops
Check
the Writing Workshop Calendar
for schedule.
|
- Evening
Writing Seminars (elective)
Each fall and spring semester, the Writing Consultant offers
several single-evening seminars on a variety of writing topics.
These informal session are a good opportunity to explore specific
writing issues in depth; the precise direction they take depends
to some extent upon the questions, concerns, and examples
provided by students. Reservations are required.
Seminar
Descriptions
|
- From
Idea to Project: Writing the Final Project Proposal (required)
Each semester, the Writing Consultant offers a one-session
workshop designed to clarify the logistics of the final project
proposal process and to help students explore final project
possibilities. Students will learn what a MALS final
project is, what they need to do to prepare for the project,
and what a successful final project proposal should look like.
This workshop is required prior to submitting the final
project proposal. We recommend that students take this
workshop during the sixth or seventh course semester.
Reservations are required. Final
Project Proposal
|
- Effective Research Seminar (elective)
Dr. Bill Holley, Professor Emeritus in the History Department, is offering his seminar on effective research again this fall. Description
|
- EndNote: Bibliographies Made Easy (elective)
Duke University Libraries offer EndNote software to Duke students. EndNote enables users to create an electronic library, import references into documents, create bibliographies, and format papers per recognized syle (e.g., MLA, Chicago, etc.). Each semester the library holds introductory and advanced workshops exclusively for MALS students.
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|
Writing Resources |
|
Do you have questions about interdisciplinary thinking, reading,
and writing? Have you forgotten some of the lessons from
the New Student Writing Workshop--tips about mechanics, structure,
format, or documentation? Here are some resources
you might find helptul.
|
|
MALS
offers me the perfect complement to my years of professional training.
The interdisciplinary curriculum allows me to explore a wide array of
interests in a focused and rigorous manner. The synergism between excellent
teachers and bright, motivated students makes each class an energizing
and insightful experience.
Mary M. Covington
Medical Director
Student Health Service
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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