Course Descriptions
First Semester – Gr St 585
Graduate Studies (Gr St) 585: PFF Introductory Seminar is a 2-credit course consisting of 15 two-hour panels and team workshops overviewing issues of faculty and student life including the hiring, promotion, and tenure process and expectations at different institutions to help you find your fit in the academic landscape. Participants will create/refine/polish vitae, cover letters, and research statements.
Second Semester – Gr St 586
Graduate Studies (Gr St) 586: PFF Intermediate Seminar is a 3-credit course that meets two times each week for 90 minutes. Sessions focus on topics such as teaching statements, diversity and inclusion, communication skills, and pedagogical strategies. Participants update their 585 job package with a diversity statement and teaching philosophy statement, write a series of reflection journal responses, participate in learning teams, and develop course materials (e.g., syllabi, sample assignments, course activities, assessments, and evaluation rubrics) for a course they might teach as future faculty.
Third Semester – Gr St 587
Graduate Studies (Gr St) 587: PFF Teaching Practicum is a 1-3 credit, individually arranged, teaching experience. Participants arrange and complete a stand-alone teaching experience accompanied by appropriate mentoring. The teaching experience may be traditional or web-based, but must be at least the equivalent of a 1-credit university course. Additional requirements include: weekly meetings with fellow Gr St 587 classmates, observing a classmate’s teaching and having their teaching observed, and reflective writing assignments. Completed proposals for Gr St 587 must be submitted to the PFF program director for approval before the semester begins.
Fourth Semester – Gr St 588
Graduate Studies (Gr St) 588: PFF Special Topics is a 1-3 credit independent study providing academic professional development. Activities might include supervised reflective writing of a grant our journal article, extensive job shadowing at partner institutions, course or web development, participation in university or extension service responsibilities, etc. Additional requirements include: weekly meetings with the PFF director and other Gr St 588 participants, frequent submissions of progress on the project, and reflective writing assignments. Completed proposals for 588 must be submitted to the PFF program director for approval before the semester begins.
Additional detailed information (i.e. course syllabi, proposal forms, etc.) is available on the Information for New and Continuing PFF Participants page.