The LDA Colloquium provides students with the opportunity, in collaboration with their peers, to develop and refine a major research paper, ideally, on a scholarly project commenced in a previous seminar or course. It is designed to enable students to learn how to take a piece of writing to the stage where it is publishable, to learn what is involved in the publishing process, and to help develop the skills to pursue this objective with all their scholarly writing.
The seminar proceeds in three phases.
First, students identify the research that they wish to develop in the seminar, and they consult on ways to develop and refine the research. They present their paper proposal to the class for comment and discussion and provide comment on the proposals of other members of the seminar.
Second, based on the discussion of the proposal, and guidance from guest presenters on advanced research techniques and the publishing process, students conduct further research and writing in order to craft the substance and structure of their papers. Based on an outline prepared for the class, they present their papers and receive feedback on the analysis and the direction of the argument.
Third, as the papers progress through initial drafts, the students participate in intensive editing sessions to provide them with techniques for improving the quality of their writing.
Method of Evaluation: The evaluation in the course includes a major research paper (7,000 words), class presentations and commentary on other proposals and papers (80%). Attendance and active participation is also considered in the evaluation (20%).