Culture

Our program encourages strong interaction between students and faculty. Students are expected to work with faculty both through research fellowships or assistantships and on their own initiative. Coursework is also geared to helping each student develop a portfolio of skills in conceptualizing and actualizing research interests. Coursework often requires either a potential publishable paper or a possible dissertation proposal. Students are encouraged to publish journal articles and to present conference papers as early as possible in the program. Students are also offered teaching assistantships, which allow them to gain appropriate classroom instructional experience. In addition, the department offers regular teaching and research seminars throughout the academic year and all students are encouraged to attend.