Research

Research is an integral part of the PPEL major.  All students undertake a significant research project in PPEL 401, the Senior Capstone Seminar.  In addition, students may complete research through an independent study course or as the recipient of a Summer Research Fellowship. 

 

Independent Study

Students who wish to explore a subject in greater depth and outside the regular course offerings may do as an Independent Study (PPEL 390). An independent study is normally one-on-one instruction between a faculty member and a student on a topic of the student’s choice.  Students may enroll in Independent Study (PPEL 390) for 0.5 or 1 unit of academic credit.

A student interested in enrolling in Independent Study (PPEL 390) should seek out a faculty member with expertise in the general subject area. If the faculty member agrees to mentor the student’s work, the faculty member and student will design a program of reading and writing assignments to be completed during the semester, and request approval from the chair of the Department. To register for Independent Study (PPEL 390), students should complete the PPEL 390 Form. The deadline is the end of add/drop at the beginning of each semester.

 

Summer Research and Conference Presentations

For students interested in conducting research during the summer, the A&S Summer Research Fellowship  provides a stipend for ten weeks of research under the supervision of a faculty mentor.  Students conducting research abroad are eligible to apply for a Weinstein Grant  to fund their work.  In addition, students who are invited to present their research at a regional or national conference or meeting can apply for travel funds through the School of Arts and Sciences.

 

If you want to pursue research, the best thing you can do is ask a professor whose scholarship and teaching interest you how to go about doing so.