EDUC 8004: DOCTORAL RESEARCH SEMINAR

Professor Margaret Eisenhart
Fall, 2003

Wednesdays, 9 - 11:30 a.m.
Education Building, Room 330
Occasional After-class Lunches: Informal lunch immediately following some class sessions (see schedule below)

Office: 238 Education Building
Office phone: (303) 492-8583
Email: Margaret.Eisenhart@Colorado.edu

Office hours: Thursdays, 1:30 - 3 pm and by appointment

Course Description and Objectives
The DOCTORAL RESEARCH SEMINAR is designed to introduce new doctoral students to the field of educational research as practiced at CU-Boulder. The course is taught by a different faculty member each year, and thus it may focus on different aspects of our program and faculty from year to year. This year (Fall, 2003), we will focus on recent national reports about the state of educational research in this country and hear from members of our faculty who have participated in writing, reviewing, or critiquing these reports.

Required Texts
PDF files (and purchasing information) for the documents below can be found at www.nap.edu, the website of the National Academies Press.


Other Required Readings
The following additional materials are available from the Norlin Library electronic reserve (e-Reserves) system. To access Norlin's e-Reserves from any computer connected to the Internet (i.e., from home, the libary, SOE computer lab) follow these steps:
A few other required readings from various websites are listed on the schedule below.

Informal Lunches
On several Wednesdays, I have invited guests to join us for lunch and informal conversation following our class. Please plan to bring a brown bag lunch on days when informal lunches are scheduled. The conversations will run from approximately 11:30 to 1 pm. These gatherings are intended to provide a relaxed atmosphere in which you can get to know faculty and students in the School of Education and University.

Assignments
Reading assignments. Reading assignments will be made for each class meeting (see Schedule below). Class sessions will include short lectures, small-group conversations, and whole-class discussions. Classes are designed for active participants. Please come to class prepared to discuss the assigned material and its implications. I do give credit for high-quality class participation.

Written assignments. The written assignments are two papers and one final project. Due dates for the papers and project are listed on the class schedule. Details about each written assignment will be provided soon after the semester begins.

Class presentations. Students will be organized in small groups (3-4 people) for class presentations based on the final project. Details about the presentations will be provided soon after the semester begins.

Additional Information for Students
Disability Services. If you qualify for accommodations because of a disability, please submit to me a letter from Disability Services (DS) early in the semester so that your needs may be addressed. DS determines accommodations based on documented disabilities. For additional information, call (303) 492-8671, visit Willard 322, or refer to Disability Services Web page.

Religious Observances. I will make every effort to accommodate all students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments, or other required attendance, provided they notify me in advance of the scheduled conflict. Whenever possible, students should notify me at least two weeks in advance of the conflict to request special accommodation. For additional information on the CU policy, see www.colorado.edu/policies/fac_relig.html

Classroom Behavior. Students and faculty each have responsibility for maintaining an appropriate learning environment. Students who fail to adhere to behavioral standards may be subject to discipline. Faculty have the professional responsibility to treat students with understanding, dignity and respect, to guide classroom discussion and to set reasonable limits on the manner in which students express opinions. For additional information, see the CU Classroom Behavior Policy.

Student Honor Code. A Student Honor Code is in effect in all schools and colleges of the University. You can see the information at www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/

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