Writing a MAP Study Plan

Prescott CollegeMaster of Arts Program

Priscilla Stuckey, PhDHumanities

Writing a Study Planin

AE, ED, ES, HU

Welcome!

We suggest you read completely through this slideshow one time before beginning work on your study plan.

Writing a Study Plan

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As you prepare your study plan, here are some things to keep in mind.

• You are responsible for your own educational path.• The MAP study plan is your road map supporting your individualized program of study.• What you write here will become the first draft of your study plan.• Soon you will be matched with a Graduate Advisor, who will provide feedback on your plan.• Your study plan is flexible and will be refined as you move forward in your program.

The MAP Study Plan

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A study plan is made up of 3 components.

Theory

Practicum

Thesis

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Or perhaps they should be arranged like this…

Theory Practicum

Thesis

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2 legs, theory and practicum, supporting the thesis.

Theory Practicum

Thesis

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The study plan as a whole will add up to at least 40 credit hours…

Theory Practicum

Thesis

+

= 40 minimum

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With these credit requirements …

Theory Practicum 6-15

Thesis 12

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Leaving the rest of the credits for theory.

Theory 13-22 Practicum

Thesis

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If you bring a strong theoretical background to your program and you need more practical experience in your field, the balance of your

credit hours might look like this.

Theory 13-15 Practicum 12-15

Thesis 12

= 40 min.

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The rest of this slideshow is based on the common scenario of building theoretical knowledge while completing only 6 hours of practicum.

Theory 22 Practicum 6

Thesis 12

= 40 min.

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Typically a program of study begins with theory …

Theory Practicum Thesis

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But it may begin with practicum and theory together.

Theory

PracticumThesis

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In any case, both theory and practicum feed into and support the thesis…

Theory Practicum

Thesis

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Making the thesis a central feature of the program.

Thesis

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You may not yet know your exact thesis question …

Thesis

?

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But you do know your topic and interests.

Thesis

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How do you shape your interests . . .

Thesis

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Into a coherent plan of study?

Theory Practicum

Thesis

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Remember, your Graduate Advisor will provide guidance.What you are writing here is a first draft to clarify your own thinking.

Graduate Advisor

YouStudy Plan

TheoryPracticum

Thesis

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Let’s look at the components of a study plan one by one.

Theory ~22 hrs

Practicum 6+ hrs

Thesis 12+ hrs

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A good study plan balances breadth and depth in a theoretical field…

Theory ~22 hrs

Breadth Depth

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Broad enough to cover the topic or field, deep enough to say something meaningful in a thesis. (Remember, theory is intended

to prepare you to write your thesis.)

Theory ~22 hrs

Breadth Depth

Thesis

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Within theory, 3 credit hours (min.) are devoted to research methods in your field.

Theory ~22 hrs

Thesis

3 hrs research methods

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Also, 3 credit hours are devoted to a cohort foundations course called Modes of Inquiry, taken during your first semester.

Theory ~22 hrs

Thesis

3 research methods

3 Modes of Inquiry: cohort foundations course

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Together they add up to 4 credits because the Modes of Inquiry course satisfies 2 out of 3 required credits in research methods. (You will schedule 1 more hour of research methods later in your program.)

Theory ~22 hrs

Thesis

1 additional research methods

3 Modes of Inquiry: cohort foundations course - 2 research methods

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This leaves about 18 hours to fill with theory-based coursework in your field.

Theory ~22 hrs

Thesis

~18 credits in theory coursework

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As you think about writing your courses, two questions might occur to you.

Theory ~22 hrs

Thesis

-How do I write good courses?-How do I assign credit hours?

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Let’s take the easy one first. For now, assign each course 3 credit hours. (You can always change it later.)

Theory ~22 hrs

Thesis

-How do I assign credit hours?

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A 3-credit course translates roughly into 20-25 actual hours of work per week for 3 weeks.

Theory ~22 hrs

Thesis

-How do I assign credit hours?

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To fill 18 theory credit hours (after 4 required credits), you will want to plan about 6 theory courses.

Theory ~22 hrs

Thesis

1. Foundations in … (3 hrs)2.3.4.5.6.

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How do you write good courses?

Theory ~22 hrs

Thesis


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Remember the balance of breadth and depth.

Theory ~22 hrs

Thesis

Breadth Depth

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Think about the social and ecological impacts of your studies and your work, and build this awareness throughout your courses.

Theory ~22 hrs

Thesis

Social and ecological literacies

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What are social and ecological literacies?

From the Prescott College mission statement:

“Students are encouraged to think critically and act ethically with sensitivity to both the human community and the biosphere. . . .”

For more on social and ecological literacies, see this page in the handbook:

http://www.prescott.edu/students/map/handbook/process/SEL.html






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To choose appropriate courses, do some online research. Here are three ideas; we’ll look at each.

Theory ~22 hrs

Thesis

- Existing accredited programs in your field- Google Scholar: scholar.google.com- Syllabi

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Find existing accredited M.A. programs in your topic or field. Note the mix of courses recommended in their curricula.

Theory ~22 hrs

Thesis

- Existing accredited programs in your field

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Do appropriate keyword searches in Google Scholar to locate books and articles related to your topic. (At orientation you will gain

access to several comprehensive databases of scholarly research. For now, use Google Scholar.)

Theory ~22 hrs

Thesis

- Google Scholar: scholar.google.com

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Find relevant syllabi from standard graduate courses in your field or topic. Notice which texts are recommended repeatedly.

Theory ~22 hrs

Thesis

- Syllabi

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Six courses are not very many into which to build both breadth and depth. Plan carefully.

Theory ~22 hrs

Thesis


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For each course, write a paragraph of course description—what the course will cover and what you hope to learn.

Theory ~22 hrs

Thesis

1. Foundations in … (3 hrs) In this course, I will …

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Add 2 or 3 major texts you suggest using in the course. Remember, your Graduate Advisor will give input, and your reading list will expand. For now, list a few you think would be appropriate.

Theory ~22 hrs

Thesis

1. Foundations in Feminist Thought (3 hrs) In this course, I will … Texts: Hawkesworth, M. E. Feminist Inquiry. Piscataway, NJ:

Rutgers Univ. Press, 2006.

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List the texts in the scholarly style used in your field (for example, Chicago Manual of Style, MLA, APA, CSE, SAA, etc.).

Theory ~22 hrs

Thesis

1. Foundations in Feminist Thought (3 hrs) In this course, the student will … Texts: Hawkesworth, M. E. Feminist Inquiry. Piscataway, NJ:


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To find the scholarly style used in your field, look in journals in your field.This example is from Chicago Manual of Style, often used in humanities.

Theory ~22 hrs

Thesis



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In most fields, the majority of your texts should be published by academic presses. (Again, your Graduate Advisor will provide

further guidance on sources in your field.)

Theory ~22 hrs

Thesis



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Now that you’ve added all these components, let’s move on…

Theory ~22 hrs

Thesis

Modes of Inquiry1 more research methods credit hourSocial & ecological literacies~6 theory content courses

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… to the practicum.The practicum is where you put into practice the theory you are learning.

Practicum 6+ hrs

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Praxis, the application of theory, also shapes theory. Your practicum will affect how you think about your thesis topic.

Practicum 6+ hrs

Thesis

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As you think about a practicum, here are some questions to consider.

Practicum 6+ hrs

Thesis

- What kind of work would I like to do after my degree?- What practicum will help prepare me for that work?- What type of praxis will help me refine my thinking about my thesis topic?

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Write a brief paragraph proposing an idea or two for a practicum.

Practicum 6+ hrs

Thesis

I propose an internship at a nonprofit working with …

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Finally we come to the thesis.

Theory

Practicum

Thesis 12+ hrs

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Write a brief paragraph explaining your current thinking on your thesis topic. Assume that your ideas will develop and be refined as you move forward in

your program.

Theory

Practicum

Thesis 12+ hrs

For my thesis, I plan to …

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When you have completed a draft of your study plan, ask yourself: Did I incorporate social and ecological literacies throughout my program of study?

Theory

Practicum

Thesis

Social & Ecological Literacies

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Now your study plan draft is ready to be shared with your Graduate Advisor. Congratulations!

Theory

Practicum

Thesis

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After consulting with your Graduate Advisor, you can decide in what order to arrange your courses. Each semester, you will prepare a study plan for that

semester. Entering students separate their study plan into two parts.

Study Plan for First Semester

Study Plan for Graduate Study as a Whole

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Here are some further guidelines as you consider how to arrange your courses.

• A full-time semester is 12-15 credits.• First-semester students may register for a maximum of 12 credits.• Part-time enrollment is 6-11 credits.• You must register for at least 6 credits each semester.

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For sample study plans, see this page in the MAP handbook: http://prescott.edu/students/map/handbook/process/StudyPlanSamples.html

http://prescott.edu/students/map/handbook/process/StudyPlanSamples.html





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Your study plan is a work in progress.You can expect to fine-tune it as you move forward in your program.

Enjoy!

Theory

Practicum

Thesis

MAP Study Plan

Education

Writing a MAP Study Plan