Guidelines for CMCL Department Graduate Student

Colloquium Presentations

Requirement: Each graduate student in CMCL is required to present at least one Colloquium on her/his approved dissertation topic in order to graduate. “Approved” means that the presentation ideally should occur between the successful defense of a prospectus and the filing of the dissertation.

Purpose: The goals of these presentations are to stimulate our intellectual community, to provide an opportunity for CMCL graduate students to practice a professional talk, and to gather feedback that will enhance the future direction of the student’s project. More important than trying to present “finished” work, students are encouraged to share their passion about their dissertation project and to stimulate provocative discussion.

Scheduling: The schedule for speaking dates will be organized at the beginning of each academic year by the Chair of the Colloquium & Lecture Committee. Requests for summer colloquia or last minute additions for scheduling are discouraged and are not guaranteed. In other words, plan ahead.

Logistics of Colloquium:

Each student is responsible for scheduling her/his colloquium in a timely fashion.

• Each student is encouraged to meet with her/his director prior to and after the Colloquium for guidance and feedback.
• Each student is expected to figure out how to use desired technology beforehand.
• The audience primarily includes CMCL graduate students and faculty, though it is open to the broader university and public.
• The Colloquium is scheduled on Fridays from 4-5PM.
• No announcements or introductions of the introducer are expected.
• The student’s Director is expected to provide a brief (3 mins.) introduction of the student on the day of the Colloquium.
• The student is scheduled to speak for a maximum of 40 mins. (including all media clips, etc.). By 4:45PM, the floor will be opened for a discussion. At 5PM, the conversation will be paused for folks to leave or to continue the conversation more informally.

In addition to the student-led colloquium, the CMCL Colloquium and Lecture Series is designed to provide a forum for a variety of professional development exemplars. The CMCL faculty, therefore, is committed to presenting at least twice a year in formats including keynote addresses, conference panels, and more informal discussions of works-in-progress. Students also are encouraged to take advantage of the many job talks hosted by CMCL and other departments to become more familiar with that experience. Publicity for this Series primarily will be circulated through email list servs, the CMCL website, fliers, and word of mouth.

These Guidelines were updated: 08/05. For more information, contact Professor Pezzullo.