Writing for Publication in the Social Sciences

Catalog description

Systematic, collective review of unpublished student manuscripts with an eye toward revision for publication. SOC 592 Writing for Publication in the Social Sciences (3) The overarching goal of the course is to prepare relatively advanced Ph.D. students to write effective journal articles, books, and grant proposals. The course emphasizes learning by doing. We begin by writing reviews of anonymous manuscripts that have been submitted to journals for possible publication. We ask four key questions about each article: What do we like about the manuscript (strengths)? What do we dislike (weaknesses)? What suggestions do we have - substantive and stylistic - for revising the manuscript? Is it published? Class discussion is organized around those questions. Then we use the same format and tools to critique unpublished student manuscripts. We discuss each manuscript with a view to answering the question of how the manuscript needs to be revised to make it publishable. Finally we read key articles on the differences between journal writing, book writing, and the writing of grant proposals. Again students are given hands-on experience by reviewing book prospectuses and grant proposals. The course is designed to be a core course in the Sociology Department's Professional Development Module for Ph.D. students. The specific goals of the course are: A publishable paper - or at least concrete suggestions for how to make a student manuscript publishable, or book precis competitive, grant proposal fundable. A better understanding of how the review process works - what happens after you submit your paper, precis, or research proposal; what to expect from the editor's decision letter. A better understanding of what editors and reviewers are looking for in a journal manuscript, book precis, or grant proposal, and a better understanding of how to respond to reviewers' criticisms when you are invited to resubmit a manuscript or grant proposal. Good reviewing skills - what a good review looks like, and how to go about writing one. An expansion of students' intellectual horizons through exposure to different substantive areas, methodologies, and styles of work. Students will be evaluated on the basis of their written reviews due each week. The course will be offered at least twice every three years. Course enrollment should be limited to 12, to enable full in-class discussion of each student's manuscript.