Monday, May 16
- Staggered arrivals, registration, check in
- 5:00 pm: Welcome banquet at student union
Tuesday, May 17: Introduction to the Profession and to Graduate Study
- 9:00-9:45: Participant and UTK Faculty Introductions
- 9:45-10:45 am: Session 1: What is the history profession?
[Discussion of essential concepts and competencies] - 10:45-10:55 am: Break
- 10:55-12:35: Session 2: Panel of Historians in the Field (via Zoom)
[Three history PhDs working in fields outside of academia] - 12:35-1:35 pm: Lunch
- 1:35-2:45 pm: Session 3: What happens in Graduate School?
[Introduction to curriculum and expectations. Discussion topics will include: the transition from knowledge consumption to knowledge production, how to approach a monograph, preparing for the seminar experience, considerations about funding, how to ask the right kinds of research questions] - 2:45-3:00 pm: Break
- 3:00-4:30 pm: Session 4: Graduate student panel
[What do current graduate students in the history department at UTK have to say about the process of applying for, selecting, and enrolling and succeeding in graduate school?] - 6:30 pm: Volunteer Princess Sunset Cruise on the Tennessee River
Day 3: Wednesday, May 18: Doing research, Sharing research
- 9:30-10:30 am: Session 5: Library Resources: what are they for, how can they help you?
[At Hodges Library] - 10:30-10:45 am: Break
- 10:45-11:30 am: Session 6: Journey through History
[UT history faculty discuss their journey from HBCUs to becoming a professor at an R1 - 11:35-12:35: Session 7: Student Share Outs 1
[Participants share 5-minute synopsis of what they want to focus on in graduate school; pre-circulated form to help them structure their thoughts; followed by discussion about next steps for reading and research] - 12:35-1:45 pm: Lunch
- 1:45-2:45 pm: Session 8: Student Share Outs 2
[Participants share 5-minute synopsis of what they want to focus on in graduate school; pre-circulated form to help them structure their thoughts; followed by discussion about next steps for reading and research] - 2:45-3:00 pm: Break
- 3:00-5:00 pm: Session 9: Faculty break out mentoring sessions
[Four groups consisting of three participants and one faculty member break out to discuss research planning and personal pathways to and through the PhD] - 6:10 pm: Graduate Student Dinner & a Movie night.
Day 4: Thursday, May 19: Demystifying the Application Process
- 9:30-10:15 am: Session 10: Choosing a Graduate Program
[How to search for graduate programs; what to look for in history departments; finding and contacting a mentor; how to find funding] - 10:15-10:30 am: Break
- 10:30-11:30 am: Session 11: Review of application materials I: The Statement of Purpose
- 11:30-12:15: Session 12: Review of application materials II: Selecting & Preparing a Writing Sample
- 12:15-1:30 pm: Lunch
- 1:30-2:30 pm: Session 13: Review of application materials III: Asking for Letters of Recommendation and Ensuring that your Letters Reflect your Brilliance!
- 2:30-3:30 pm: Session 14: Breakout workshops: Contacting Professors & Statement of Purpose
[Break into groups for focused writing workshop for letters to potential mentors and statements of purpose] - 3:30-3:45 pm: Break
- 3:45-4:45 pm: Session 15: Breakout workshops: Contacting Professors & Statement of Purpose
[Break into groups for focused writing workshop for letters to potential mentors and statements of purpose] - 4:45-5:15 pm: Synthesis and Next Steps
- 5:30: Closing Banquet at Beck Center
Thursday night and Friday: Departures