AHA Dissertation Advice

The American Historical Association posted an aricle in 2006 giving “Practical Advice for Writing Your Dissertation, Book, or Article.”

Here are the basic points:

1. Set up a writing schedule.

2. Create a dedicated workspace.

3. Write daily in a dissertation journal.

4. Distill your argument into a single sentence.

5. Visualize your ideas.

6. Fuel your mind with exercise, nutrition, hydration, and sleep.

7. Cultivate community.

8. Rewrite.

It’s no magic formula, but with these points in place, it’s easy to move forward.

Is James A. Barnes Club on Facebook?

Call for Papers

The James A. Barnes Club, Temple University's graduate student history organization, is pleased to announce the Thirteenth Annual Barnes Club Graduate Student Conference.

The Barnes Club Conference will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2009, from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM at Temple University's Center City Campus, 1515 Market Street in downtown Philadelphia. In the past, the Barnes Club Conference has drawn participants from across the nation and around the world. It has become one of the largest graduate student conferences on the East Coast.

Proposals from graduate students for individual papers and/or panels are welcome on any topic, time period, or approach to history. The panels will include two or three paper presentations at twenty minutes each. Presentations will be followed by a brief commentary offered by a graduate student. Faculty members from Temple and other area universities will moderate each panel. Cash prizes will be awarded to the best papers in American, European, World, and military history. The registration fee is $25 for presenters and attendees. A continental breakfast, lunch, and pre- and post-conference receptions are included.

Please submit a one-page proposal that outlines your original research and a current C.V. no later than January 15, 2009. The Barnes Club Conference Committee will evaluate proposals and inform participants by January 31, 2009. Final drafts of papers and registration fees are due no later than March 2, 2009. Electronic submission is required.

In addition to paper presentations, the conference will continue a successful program of workshops and round-table discussions. This year, topics will include publishing, interviewing, grant submission, and new faculty experience.

For more information about the James A. Barnes Club and the Barnes Club Graduate Student Conference, please visit http://astro.temple.edu/~jabgrad/ or contact us at jabconf@temple.edu.

--
Benjamin Brandenburg, Susan Brandt, & Alex Elkins
Chairs, James A. Barnes Club Conference
Temple University, Department of History
913 Gladfelter Hall, 1115 W. Berks Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122