Schedule
- Session 1 (June 9 - 27, 2025)
- Synchronous time: Monday and Wednesday, 7 - 8:30 p.m. ET
Description
Have you ever noticed that researchers in different academic disciplines seem to speak different languages? Have you wondered how scholars put together a plan for their research, explain their findings, and organize and write their papers? How do they persuade their readers that their research is important, feasible, and convincing? This 3-week online course will introduce high school students to some of the research and writing conventions used by researchers in the social sciences, natural sciences, and humanities. We will identify and explore some of the ways that scholars from different academic disciplines approach original research projects in their fields, with attention to how they develop research questions and topics, conduct preliminary scans of related research, and present their research persuasively to different audiences. Throughout the class, we will also discuss writing conventions across the arts and sciences, with special attention to the structure of argument; the use of evidence; voice and style in both traditional academic writing and more innovative forms of writing; and documentation conventions.
Expected learning outcomes
- Identify some important research and writing conventions across a selection of disciplines in the social sciences, natural sciences, and humanities
- Critically assess published academic research to identify how different disciplines evaluate the importance and value of a research project
- Develop the skills to complete initial scans of existing research in an academic discipline and topic of their choice
- Apply writing techniques to present ideas for original research projects convincingly to selected academic audiences
- Establish their goals going forward to continue to hone their skills in research and writing
Program Director: Kristine Rabberman, PhD
Kristine Rabberman received a BA in history from Pennsylvania State University and a PhD in history from the University of Pennsylvania. Her teaching interests include medieval history, travel literature, material culture, gender studies, and academic writing and research design across the arts and sciences. Kris has taught online courses at the University of Pennsylvania for the past 16 years and has presented at conferences including the University Professional Continuing Education Association (UPCEA), The Online Learning Consortium (formerly the Sloan Consortium), iFEST, and the Bryn Mawr Conference on Blended Learning in the Liberal Arts. She is the recipient of the UPCEA Mid-Atlantic Award for Excellence in teaching and the LPS Distinguished Teaching Award for Affiliated Faculty.
