This course is designed to introduce students into graduate education at the American University of Central Asia. The class is focused on providing all students a set of skills and knowledge that will allow them to be successful throughout their program of study at the university. A major emphasis of this course is on mechanics of academic writing at the graduate and professional level. Through readings, discussion, weekly assignments and engagement in a specific research project, graduate students will develop writing and editing skills necessary for their future careers.
Overcoming the fear of writing is one of the challenges that this course attempts to address. Dealing with our feelings with regard to writing and creativity, creating customised evidence-based writing rituals and techniques, using writing as a process that helps one make sense of the world - these are all themes that we seek to tackle during this semester-long journey. Each student will undertake an ethnographic practicum, involving participant observation, interviews, work with archival materials and other methods. Each class session will include a short interactive lecture followed by a writing practice.
- Teachers: Mohira Suyarkulova