Topics vary from semester to semester and are determined by the interests of both faculty and graduate students. Research Seminars Students and faculty engaged or interested in research in particular areas organize these seminars. Participants discuss their own research and other current research in the area. All students are expected to participate in a teaching practicum every semester. The department emphasizes training in teaching at the university level.
All graduate students teach under faculty supervision.
They work closely with professors in undergraduate courses and help with the grading of papers and examinations. In addition, they may independently teach courses at Hopkins during the intersession. The literature review should be modeled on articles appearing in professional journals. Ordinarily the review provides a background for the thesis plan, but it may be prepared on a topic other than the one selected for the thesis. It is a separate document and is evaluated by the same committee that evaluates the thesis plan.