In LDA Colloquium students collaborate in a workshop setting to development and refine a major research paper, ideally, one that has been submitted in a previous course. The objective is to learn how to produce publishable scholarship, and how to navigate the publishing process.
The seminar begins with discussion of ways to focus, develop, and refine the research in each paper, and it continues with guest presentations on advanced research techniques and the publishing process.
Small group and individual sessions then assist to deepen, expand, or recast the papers, along with small in-class exercises paper-specific strategies for successful publication. Then, based on outlines of the papers in progress distributed to the class, students present and further discussion the revised analysis and direction of the argument in their papers.
Method of Evaluation: The evaluation in the seminar includes a major research paper of 7,000 words and class presentations, with an emphasis on the achievements of the objectives of the seminar (80%). Attendance, weekly assignment completion, and active engagement in the class discussions (20%).