Workshops

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2020

SESSION ONE – 9:15 – 10:45

Pre-Conference Workshop 1: Mentorship

The AAIS & AATI will pair mid-career and senior colleagues with members who are still completing their graduate studies or are newly on the job market. This workshop is connected to a broader AAIS pilot initiative surrounding mentorship. Interested participants will send their names, contact info, areas/interests and appropriate category by March 1, 2019 to Monica Seger (AAIS mentorship facilitator) and Michael Lettieri (AATI mentoship facilitator). Mentors and mentees will be paired and placed in contact with each other one week prior to the conference. The 60-minute workshop will allow time for all involved in the pilot initiative, as well as anyone else more generally interested,to discuss mentorship strategies, goals, benefits to the field, etc. Mentorship pairs will be encouraged to arrange a one-on-one coffee date at some point during the conference where they can discuss subsequent follow-up and next steps.

–Facilitated by Monica Seger and Michael Lettieri

Pre-Conference Workshop 2: AP Italian 2020: novità e aggiornamenti

This workshop will be led by three colleagues with considerable experience with the AP exam. Focus will be on changes to be implemented beginning in 2020. The workshop also features a hand-on component.

–Facilitated by Antonietta Di Pietro, Silvia Giorgini Althoen, and Federica Santini

SESSION TWO – 11:00 – 12:30 

Pre-Conference Workshop 3: Diversity and Inclusion

How might we recalibrate curriculum in Italian Studies so that it seems less removed from students’ everyday, North American lives all the while remaining culturally contextualized? As we think about future constituencies of students of Italian, how might we addressperceptions of Italian as, for example, Eurocentric, heteronormative, and patriarchal? Many programs have already adopted curriculum that highlights different braids of diversity and inclusion within the IS curriculum. Our objective in this workshop is to facilitate discussion about diversity and inclusivity in curriculum at all levels of IS (including graduate programs and exam bibliographies). The workshop’s format is developing. Some formats being considered include: collecting and making available syllabi and/or curriculum before the conference so as to facilitate discussion in Tucson, creating a (password-protected) repository on the association websites for curriculum, possibly establishing a curriculum working group. Stay tuned to the conference website for additional details.

–Co-facilitated and Co-sponsored by AAIS Queer Studies Caucus and Women’s Studies Caucus and the AATI Gender and Women’s Studies Collective.

Pre-Conference Workshop 4: Dissertating 101

Dissertating 101 will take into consideration the moments upto becoming ABD, including the comprehension examination, forming the dissertation committee, tips and tricks to writing smarter and with focus, to taking the dissertation and transforming it into a book manuscript. Special attention will be dedicated to mentoring graduate students and the facilitators are willing and able to read dissertation chapters/selections. Please register here: https://forms.gle/NLnrMKSzvmNjwRTF8 

–Anthony Julian Tamburri, John D. Calandra Italian American Institute, Queens College/CUNY & Ryan Calabretta-Sajder, University of Arkansas

 

SESSION THREE – 12:30 – 2:00 (LUNCH) 

Pre-Conference Workshop 5: Career Diversity and Professional Development

This workshop explores the wide range of fulfilling careers and professional contexts available to those with advanced degree in the humanities. Hands-on and collaborative in nature, the session blends specific skill-building exercises and tips with broader discussions about humanistic expertise, professional identity, and transitioning between different work environments. Chiefly geared toward graduate students, faculty members are more than welcome. Conversations will continue with informal follow-up hours on Fri. and Sat. LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE AATI AND AAIS. REGISTER HERE: https://forms.gle/DLk3MG9ZdPzWHqQH7

–Facilitated by Brian DeGrazia, PhD, Asst. Dir. of Programs and Career Services Coordinator, Modern Language Association

 

FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2020

1:30 – 3:00 PM

WORKSHOP: UNLOCKING YOUR POTENTIAL IN ACADEMIC PUBLICATIONS

In this interactive workshop participants will familiarize with effective strategies leading to successful publication of their scholarly work. More specifically, participants will be guided through a series of steps on how to engage with a prospective editor and publisher, and will be introduced to effective ways to:

  • identify the best journal/book publishers for their academic research
  • approach and interact with journal/book series editors
  • develop strong article/book proposals
  • submit the manuscript
  • handle peer reviews and feedback
  • discuss and negotiate revisions to improve scholarly submission
  • make a significant contribution to a field of study

Practical examples will be provided and participants are encouraged to share experiences, express concerns and ask questions.

–Facilitated by Flavia Laviosa, Wellseley College (flaviosa@wellesley.edu )

SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2020

8:30 – 10:00 AM

ACADEMIC PRESSES: INSIDER TIPS & STRATEGIES

This workshop will demystify current practices and provide insider guidance for those looking to advance their research and careers through scholarly publishing. Advice on how to identify opportunities, determining where to publish, how to approach a press, and dealing with peer reviewer feedback will be discussed. We will highlight essential tips and strategies as well as common pitfalls to avoid when engaging book or journal editors.

Amy Damutz, acquisitions and marketing for Intellect, North America, and Flavia Laviosa, Editor of the Journal of Italian Cinema and Media Studies and the Trajectories of Italian Cinema and Media book series will host the session. Q&A to follow.