MAP Study Plan for Sustainable Business MA

Prescott College Master of Arts Program Priscilla Stuckey, PhD Humanities Writing a Study Plan in 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

As you prepare your study plan, here are some things to keep in mind. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],The MAP Study Plan

A study plan is made up of 3 components. ,[object Object],Practicum Thesis

Or perhaps they should be arranged like this… ,[object Object],Practicum Thesis

2 legs, theory and practicum, supporting the thesis. ,[object Object],Practicum Thesis

The study plan as a whole will add up to at least 40 credit hours… ,[object Object],Practicum Thesis + = 40 minimum

With these credit requirements … ,[object Object],Practicum 6-15 Thesis 12

Leaving the rest of the credits for theory. ,[object Object],Practicum Thesis

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. ,[object Object],Practicum 12-15 Thesis 12 = 40 min.

The rest of this slideshow is based on the common scenario of building theoretical knowledge while completing only 6 hours of practicum. ,[object Object],Practicum 6 Thesis 12 = 40 min.

Typically a program of study begins with theory … ,[object Object],Practicum Thesis

But it may begin with practicum and theory together. ,[object Object],Practicum Thesis

In any case, both theory and practicum feed into and support the thesis… ,[object Object],Practicum Thesis

Making the thesis a central feature of the program. Thesis

You may not yet know your exact thesis question … Thesis ? What do I want to find out

But you do know your topic and interests. Thesis Sustainable business K-12 Education Wilderness guide training Feminist theory Water policy

How do you shape your interests… Thesis Sustainable business K-12 Education Wilderness guide training Feminist theory Water policy

Into a coherent plan of study? ,[object Object],Practicum Thesis

Remember, your Graduate Advisor will provide guidance. What you are writing here is a first draft to clarify your own thinking. ,[object Object],You Study Plan Theory Practicum Thesis

Let’s look at the components of a study plan one by one. ,[object Object],Practicum 6+ hrs Thesis 12+ hrs

A good study plan balances breadth and depth in a theoretical field… ,[object Object],Breadth Depth

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.) ,[object Object],Breadth Depth Thesis

Within theory, 3 credit hours (min.) are devoted to research methods in your field. ,[object Object],Thesis 3 hrs research methods

Also, 3 credit hours are devoted to a cohort foundations course called Modes of Inquiry, taken during your first semester. ,[object Object],Thesis 3 research methods 3 Modes of Inquiry: cohort foundations course

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.) ,[object Object],Thesis 1 additional research methods 3 Modes of Inquiry: cohort foundations course - 2 research methods

This leaves about 18 hours to fill with theory-based coursework in your field. ,[object Object],Thesis ~18 credits in theory coursework

As you think about writing your courses, two questions might occur to you. ,[object Object],Thesis ,[object Object],[object Object]

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

A 3-credit course translates roughly into 20-25 actual hours of work per week for 3 weeks. ,[object Object],Thesis ,[object Object]

To fill 18 theory credit hours (after 4 required credits), you will want to plan about 6 theory courses. ,[object Object],Thesis 1. Foundations in … (3 hrs) 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

How do you write good courses? ,[object Object],Thesis 1. Foundations in … (3 hrs) 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Remember the balance of breadth and depth. ,[object Object],Thesis Breadth Depth

Think about the social and ecological impacts of your studies and your work, and build this awareness throughout your courses. ,[object Object],Thesis Social and ecological literacies

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

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

Find existing accredited M.A. programs in your topic or field. Note the mix of courses recommended in their curricula. ,[object Object],Thesis ,[object Object]

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.) ,[object Object],Thesis ,[object Object]

Find relevant syllabi from standard graduate courses in your field or topic. Notice which texts are recommended repeatedly. ,[object Object],Thesis ,[object Object]

Six courses are not very many into which to build both breadth and depth. Plan carefully. ,[object Object],Thesis 1. Foundations in … (3 hrs) 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

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

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. ,[object Object],Thesis ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

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

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. ,[object Object],Thesis ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

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.) ,[object Object],Thesis ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

Now that you’ve added all these components, let’s move on… ,[object Object],Thesis Modes of Inquiry 1 more research methods credit hour Social & ecological literacies ~6 theory content courses

… to the practicum. The practicum is where you put into practice the theory you are learning. Practicum 6+ hrs

Praxis, the application of theory, also shapes theory. Your practicum will affect how you think about your thesis topic. Practicum 6+ hrs Thesis

As you think about a practicum, here are some questions to consider. Practicum 6+ hrs Thesis ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

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 …

Finally we come to the thesis. ,[object Object],Practicum Thesis 12+ hrs

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. ,[object Object],Practicum Thesis 12+ hrs For my thesis, I plan to …

When you have completed a draft of your study plan, ask yourself: Did I incorporate social and ecological literacies throughout my program of study? ,[object Object],Practicum Thesis Social & Ecological Literacies

Now your study plan draft is ready to be shared with your Graduate Advisor. Congratulations! ,[object Object],Practicum Thesis

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. ,[object Object],Study Plan for Graduate Study as a Whole

Here are some further guidelines as you consider how to arrange your courses. ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]

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

Your study plan is a work in progress. You can expect to fine-tune it as you move forward in your program. Enjoy! ,[object Object],Practicum Thesis MAP Study Plan

MAP Study Plan for Sustainable Business MA

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