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McNair Seminar

The McNair Seminar meets Wednesdays from 8:30 to 9:20 AM
September 2 through December 9
124 Marsh Life Sciences

During the fall semester following the summer research internship, McNair Scholars are required to register for a 1-credit course. This practical, hands-on seminar teaches skills, habits, and processes in preparation for post-baccalaureate study. The focus is on the oral and written communication process in three areas:

• the critical reading and discussion of scholarly work
• expository writing and personal narrative, and
• graduate school applications

Students will learn to:

• write regularly despite busy schedules
• identify methods to overcome a fear of writing, especially students whose native language is not English
• research more efficiently and review existing literature in preparation for a discussion or presentation
• take accurate and useful notes
• critique one's own writing and that of colleagues in a supportive manner
• compile a paper or electronic portfolio of their McNair experience

The McNair seminar is interactive and requires participation on a multiple draft writing project during the length of the course. Each participant will write an expository paper based upon the reading and discussion of a book, and presentation of one guest speaker, evaluating the information and interpreting the content. Each student will also work on a graduate school application statement of interest and personal essay.

In addition, the McNair seminar requires a minimum of eight hours engaged in community service which can be completed the following spring. This involvement can be a group-based or individual project. For example, there are a number of campus clubs and organizations (VIA – Volunteers in Action, or the OPT Club – Drug & Alcohol-Free OPTions) or campus events in need of volunteers (the Student Research Conference in April), or national initiatives that feature a wide range of activities (e.g., National Make a Difference Day).

Course Goals

• Broaden scholarly interests by scheduling guest speakers representing various disciplines
• Increase the awareness of one's unique writing process
• Improve the skills and techniques most useful to move toward greater writing fluency and public speaking
• Utilize existing services on campus to attain writing fluency
• Learn to critique colleagues' work in a supportive, yet analytical manner, an important component in becoming a fluent speaker and writer
• Complete one-page journal-style papers based upon guest speaker presentations
• Complete one multiple draft paper based upon a concept or theme from the required text
• Engage in eight hours or more of service to the community
• Individual oral presentations
• Complete statement of interest for graduate school application
• Compile a paper or electronic portfolio of their McNair experience

McNair Seminar Handouts

Fall 2009 Syllabus
Graduate School Guide to Success
Keeping a McNair Scholar Journal
How to Get Into Graduate School

TRiO / McNair
The McNair Scholars Program is a federal Trio program funded through a grant from the US Department of Education.

Last modified August 25 2009 09:48 AM