ProfLorax

I'm not going to teach next year, but I have been teaching at a college with lots of academic freedom for three years now. I plan my class around the skills outlined in the student learning outcomes, as well as what I think will most engaged students. What class are you going to teach? Is there a required reader? I'd be happy to share with you any syllabus I have if you are teaching freshman composition or basic writing. In terms of themes, I suggest thinking of something relatively vague, so students can explore their own interests within the class theme. This is why I like to focus my classes on topics that interest me but also offer students the freedom to discover their interests within the class theme. I've had great fun talking about education in the classroom: literacy development (student paper is a literacy narrative), critiques of western education (student paper is a problem/solution paper), and two other units that are escaping me right now... But yes! Think of something that will keep you interested while also encouraging students to find their own voice! Also, some instructors don't choose themes for the entire semester, so don't feel like you have to!

Glad to hear I'm not alone in my impending homesickness. My family and my in-laws are both super sad about my husband's and my big move, and I'm trying to stay strong for them, but in reality, I am already missing California. I spent the weekend in San Francisco eating all of my favorite foods (ice cream from Bi-Rite, burrito from Taqueria Cancun, and pizza from Zachary's) and doing my favorite things (watching the new light show on the bay bridge, going to a Giants game, and walking around Dolores Park). It was bittersweet; I had a blast galloping around the bay area and spoiling myself, but the thought of my impended departure loomed over each activity. However, it's not all bad. I live in a lovely coastal town right now that I love during the day, but man, this town is dead once the sun sets. I am so excited about living near a city again. I've already been scoping out the local music venues in DC, and I signed up for a half-marathon in Baltimore. So, while I am sad about moving, I am feeling super ready for this new adventure.

Hey all! Now that the rollercoaster of emotions that application season is over, I know that many of us are trying to figure out the next step: registering for classes, contacting professors, etc. I thought I'd create a thread for us to talk about our next steps. Like I've said in other threads, I've been trying to supplement my lack of rhetorical education. Just yesterday, a professor from Maryland emailed me a handful of essays as a "starter kit." I've been in cloud nine reading academic texts again, but I am also trying to stay focused on my classes this semester; I don't want my students to suffer because my mind is elsewhere! It's a tricky balance: mentally focusing on the present while daydreaming and planning for the future. In addition to academic reading, I also have been reading for fun: last weekend, I devoured Octavia Butler's The Parable of the Sower. It was amazing. I want to try to squeeze in as much recreational reading as I can before fall starts! So, what are your next steps? What are the big things ya'll have to do before classes start in the fall?

I'm looking in the same area, and I really have enjoyed this thorough guide to the DC area: http://dc.urbanturf.com/neighborhoods/ It breaks down each neighborhood by public transit, safety, atmosphere, community, etc. I'm flying out there in June with the hubs to go house hunting. (So excited!)

I spent a few days having some doubt, concerned that I rushed my decision. And then, two things happened within twenty four hours to remind me that I absolutely made the right choice. 1. The University of Maryland recently approved a policy that guarantees six weeks of paid parental leave to graduate students! As I plan on having kids within the next few years, this news elicited a huge sigh of relief. 2. The English Department upped my first year fellowship by $5,000! I am happy to report that all feelings of doubt are gone.

On another note, I officially signed up for classes this morning! I will be taking Digital Rhetoric, Engendering Rhetorical Power, and Approaches to College Composition, in addition to ASL classes at Gallaudet. To say I'm excited is an understatement!

UGH. Dawn is the worst. Still, there are some priceless moments and story arcs after her introduction (Willow's progression with magic, "Once More with Feeling," and the series finale) that make it possible to (almost) tolerate Dawn's whining blahness. Oh Anya. Anya Anya Anya. I love her so.

YES! This makes me so happy. My greatest contribution to humanity: promoting Buffy to fellow geeks!

I got a little misty browsing this document. Just last year, we were all freaking out together over letters of rec, statements of purpose, GRE's, and finances-- all while discussing such important issues as Doctor Who, Buffy, and Girls. We've debated, discussed, supported, empathized, cheered, advised, and shared. What an amazing community we have here, and now we get to enjoy the fruits of our labor in the fall! Go us!

Well, then congratulations are in order! Hurray for going to your dream school!

I wanted to send ya'll warm fuzzies today and this week, so I searched "warm fuzzies" in Google image search. This is what I found: Good luck, everyone!

Given what you described here, I would suggest University of South Florida. You asked about prestige, and in reality, funded and face-to-face PhD programs in general have a better reputation than unfunded and online PhD programs. Also, the lack of funding signals a potential lack of resources: does Old Dominion have the money to send you to conferences, archives, or job interviews? And in terms of distance learning, will you be close enough to campus to obtain teaching experience? You'll need to present, teach, and research to be a qualified applicant in the job search in five or six years, so choose the school that will put you in the best position to get a job after you graduate.

In preparation for the big move, I cut my book collection in half. I want to feel triumphant, but then I bought like ten books this past week. Sigh.

Ha! The moment this forum has been waiting for... when fat studies and animal studies converge.

Hey ya'll! I'm happy to share my application materials with anyone who wants to see some examples. PM me if you'd like. I also had some disparate interests, but I presented them as overlapping (or so I was told by some of the professors who reached out to me).

I am not in the same position myself, but I would suggest emailing the departments directly. Let them know about your situation and ask by what time they need a notification. Good luck!

First, thank you ComeBackZinc. I didn't realize how much I needed to hear what you said until I read it. I'm glad I'm not alone! Yes! I've noticed this too. Also, whenever I tell people that I'm moving for a PhD program, I sound like I am already saying goodbye... but I'm not leaving for months! It's a struggle trying to stay present while also planning for the near future.

You rock. Thank you. My question arose from reading Aristotle's Rhetoric; I was flustered upon the first few pages, but fortunately, I pushed through and discovered that he does eventually define the terms he uses. I'm grateful for the more modern recommendations to read once I am done; then, I can see how the conversation has evolved since Aristotle. It looks like I won't be taking a foundations of rhetoric course until my second semester, so I'll need to build my own foundation in the meantime. Thank you for always taking the time to give such helpful feedback and guidance!

I need some suggestions! I'm looking for a quick, clear, and comprehensive introduction to rhetorical theory. I'm trying to get a head start and read some rhetoric classics, but I'm stumped at a lot of the terms (enthymeme, syllologism, etc). My background is in lit, so this is all new to me. And not surprisingly, the Internet is not that helpful; I'm only finding overly complicated, overly simplistic, or conflicting definitions of rhetorical terms. Anyone know of a great resource to help me learn the terminology of my new field (so I don't look the fool in my first semester as a PhD student)? Thanks!

I emailed the DGS my acceptance and asked what my next step was. I think schools have different "next steps," so I would suggest emailing the DGS for the official procedure.

Helpful resources: How to present at a conference: http://chronicle.com/blogs/profhacker/delivering-an-effective-conference-paper/29683 How to get the most out of a conference: http://chronicle.com/blogs/profhacker/how-to-hack-a-conference-aka-attend-one-productively/22891

No, you read the whole paper. You talk for the full fifteen to twenty minutes allotted.

So exciting! I hope all of us rhet/comp folks have a chance to meet up in the future!