Description
Introduction to Writing in the Humanities Course Description:
Introduction to Writing in the Humanities focuses on establishing foundational skills in academic writing, particularly for graduate students who are new to the humanities and related disciplines. The course focuses on basic elements of academic writing as outlined in the program’s Writing Rubric: content, organization, style and format, documentation, and writing mechanics. Students will practice critical reading, peer review, and editing and revising to support the development of their writing craft. Students will also learn how to effectively incorporate scholarly sources into their writing.
Course Content:
The relationship between reading and writing is often likened to inhaling and exhaling. Understanding how writers write, in terms of process and product, helps us develop our own craft. Thus, introduction to Writing in the Humanities is run quasi-workshop style, an immersion in both critical reading and writing. The course will cover key concepts and skills such as thesis development, argumentation, organization, and style.
Students will be introduced to manuals of style used in academic disciplines, including the Chicago Manual of Style, the official style used by the program. Students will regularly practice these skills through ongoing reading and writing assignments, including annotating texts, short essays, and culminating in a final longer-form paper. By the end of the course, students will have developed a strong foundation in writing in the humanities and will have the skills and confidence to communicate effectively in this field.
Course Learning Objectives:
After taking this course, students will be able to:
- Analyze assumptions, strengths, and limitations in academic writing
- Generate, seek, and incorporate constructive feedback
- Create academic arguments by identifying and integrating relevant literature
- Communicate effectively by organizing and presenting ideas with clear and appropriate academic tone and language.
Class Structure:
The class will meet for three hours each week and will be composed of short lectures, class discussion, and small group workshops. Students are expected to keep up with reading and writing assignments in order to participate effectively in class.
Area of Study: Hindu Studies Foundation
Core/ Elective: Core
Prerequisites: Admission into Master of Arts in Hindu Studies (MA), Professional Doctorate in Hindu Studies (DHS), Doctor of Philosophy in Hindu Studies (PhD)
Instructor: Dr. Indu Viswanathan
Day: Every Monday
Time: 7:00 pm EST – 10:00 pm EST
Start Date: January 23, 2023
End Date: May 15, 2023
Quarter Offered: Winter 2023
