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The Less-Obvious Elements of an Effective Book Proposal

Advice on getting published by Patrick H. Alexander

Getting published usually starts with a book proposal. Many a good manuscript has been turned down because of an ineffective proposal, and many a poor manuscript has been sent out for a formal review because the proposal was flawless. Publication of a scholarly book ultimately depends on the peer-review process, but that step occurs only if the proposal accomplishes its single mission: to get you a hearing. Too often, however, scholars misunderstand the job of the proposal in the overall process. (Continue reading….)


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Notre Dame Postdoc in History and Phil of Science (11/28/11)

The History and Philosophy of Science Graduate Program at the University of Notre Dame seeks to appoint a Postdoctoral Fellow, beginning August 2012. The fellowship is for one year initially and is renewable for a second year. Applicants must have completed all requirements for the doctoral degree by June 30, 2012.
Applications are welcome from scholars working in any area of history and philosophy of science. In addition to pursuing his or her research and participating actively in the intellectual life of the program, the HPS Postdoctoral Fellow will teach two graduate courses per year for the HPS program, one of which may be in the candidate’s area of specialization. We are interested especially, but not exclusively, in candidates able to teach one of our graduate history of science survey courses: either History of Science, Technology and Medicine to 1750, or History of Science, Technology and Medicine 1750 to the present. We encourage you to explain why your research and teaching is well suited to a home in our inter-disciplinary program.
The annual stipend is $48,000. The fellowship package also includes health insurance and $3000 per year towards research expenses and conference travel.

Applicants should send the following materials in electronic form only, in PDF format by email attachment, to reilly@nd.edu including (if possible) “HPS post-doc” and your last name in the subject line:
1. Cover letter giving a brief summary of your primary field of expertise and specific qualifications for the fellowship.
2. Summary of your dissertation (two page maximum).
3. Plan of research to be undertaken during a two-year fellowship period (three page maximum).
4. Writing sample (30 page maximum).
5. Where applicable, a proposal for a graduate history of science survey course, as specified above, bearing in mind that our courses are taken by both history-track and philosophy-track students (one page maximum).
6. Proposal for a graduate seminar in your area of specialization (one page maximum).
7. Full curriculum vitae.
8. Names and affiliations of three referees whom you have asked to write to us directly.
The deadline for receipt of application materials is November 28th. Please note: applications which are printed and received via mail or courier will not be accepted and processed.

In addition, three letters of reference should be sent separately, either electronically (reilly@nd.edu) or by mail (Reilly Center, 453 Geddes Hall, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556), to arrive by the application deadline. Candidates are responsible for ensuring that their letters of reference arrive by the deadline.

The HPS graduate program is housed in the Reilly Center for Science, Technology and Values, and draws faculty from a variety of departments including History, Philosophy, the Program of Liberal Studies, Theology, and English. For further information about the Reilly Center and the HPS program please visit http://reilly.nd.edu/. The HPS Postdoctoral Fellowship is funded by the College of Arts and Letters.

Inquiries may be directed to Katherine Brading (Director, History and Philosophy of Science Program): kbrading@nd.edu.

The University of Notre Dame is an equal opportunity, affirmative action educator and employer with strong institutional and academic commitments to racial, cultural, and gender diversity. Women, minorities, and those attracted to a university with a Catholic identity are encouraged to apply. Information about Notre Dame, including our mission statement, is available at http://www.nd.edu.


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Colgate Job Ad (11/23/11)

The Philosophy Department at Colgate University invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professorship in Philosophy to begin Fall Term 2012.  Applicants must have an AOS or strong AOC in either (i) some area of non-Western philosophy (Chinese philosophy, Indian philosophy, etc.), or (ii) philosophically important issues of diversity (queer theory, philosophy of race, feminist philosophy, etc.). 3/2 teaching load; highly competitive salary.  Completion of Ph.D. is expected prior to or shortly after the date of hire.

In addition to teaching courses within the department’s curriculum, all members of the philosophy faculty are expected to participate in all-university programs, including the Liberal Arts Core Curriculum.  Further information about Colgate’s philosophy department and its Core Curriculum can be found on the University’s website, www.colgate.edu.  Questions about the position should be addressed to the chair of the search committee, Jason Kawall (jkawall@colgate.edu). Review of applications will begin November 23, 2011.  Candidates should submit a dossier containing a CV, three letters of reference, a writing sample, and evidence of teaching effectiveness. All application materials must be submitted through https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/1172.

Colgate is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.  Developing and sustaining a diverse faculty, staff, and student body furthers the University’s educational mission. Women and minority scholars are especially encouraged to apply for this position. Applicants with dual-career considerations can find postings of other employment opportunities at Colgate and at other institutions of higher education in upstate New York at www.upstatenyherc.org.


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How Technology Aids Scholarly Communication: VuStuff 2011

By Luisa Cywinski

Over 60 participants gathered for the 2nd annual VuStuff Conference at Falvey Memorial Library on Oct. 12 where four presenters highlighted the use of new technologies that make collections more accessible online.

VuStuff, an annual conference that focuses on the intersections of technology and scholarly communication, is the brainchild of Darren Poley and Michael Foight, who both participated in an ad-hoc scholarly communication group formed by Shawn Martin at the University of Pennsylvania. Falvey’s professional librarians and technology staff continue to organize the conference each year.

University Librarian Joe Lucia, in his welcome remarks, described VuStuff as the opportunity to “leverage the collective intellect” of libraries and to witness the “transformational energy of non-commercial players.” David Uspal, technology development specialist, emceed the event and encouraged focused group discussions over lunch.

Rob Behary, Eric Zino, David Uspal, Eric Lease Morgan, Amy Baker Williams

The range of topics covered this year included the digitization of rare collections, historical Pennsylvania mining maps and Catholic publications. Speakers Eric Lease Morgan, University of Notre Dame; Amy Baker Williams, University of Pittsburgh; Eric Zino, LYRASIS; and Rob Behary, Duquesne University, focused on the technical challenges they encountered, the fragile condition of historical materials and the economies and accessibility realized through digitization.

Morgan, winner of the 2011 Vuie (or VuStuff) Award, presented on “VuFind and the ‘Catholic Portal'” and explained “how the Catholic Research Resources Alliance has exploited the open and modular nature of VuFind to implement” a portal to Catholic resources.

Villanova organizers included Laura Bang, Alexandra Edwards, Jeffrey Eisenberg, Michael Foight, Mary Heyman, Regina McFadden, Darren Poley, Joanne Quinn, Stephen Spatz and David Uspal.

Look for a more detailed article about the event in Falvey Memorial Library’s “News From Falvey” newsletter in Spring 2012.

Graphic design by Joanne Quinn; photo by Alice Bampton


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100th Year Anniversary of the Sisters of the Order of Saint Basil the Great

Submitted for: Taras Ortynsky, Descriptive Services Librarian.

The Sisters of the Order of Saint Basil the Great Collection is accessible thru the Villanova University’s Digital Library within the Catholica Collection.

 
Photograph, Mother Helena Langevich, OSBM.

On May 17, 2011, Villanova University, Falvey Memorial Library received items for the purpose of digitizing and cataloging the collection of the Sisters of the Order of St. Basil the Great, Fox Chase Manor, PA. By October 27, 2011, several Falvey Library staff members had digitized and cataloged the collection. Included in this collection are digital images of photographs, manuscript letters, and realia. All of the items are in the Ukrainian language and are dated from 1911-1916.  The prevailing theme of the letters is spirituality.

Back in November 1911, Mother Helena Langevich, OSBM and three Sister companions came to America from Ukraine at the request of Bishop Stephen Soter Ortynsky, OSBM to serve the Church. The Reverend Stephen Soter Ortynsky, OSBM was the first Greek Catholic Bishop in the U.S.A. The Sisters settled in Philadelphia 100 years ago to care for the Ukrainian orphans and to minister to the Ukrainian immigrants. This November 2011, the Sisters will be in celebration of 100 years in America.

The original materials are available at the Archives, 710 Fox Chase Road, Fox Chase Manor, PA 19406. For more information kindly see http://www.stbasils.com.


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Berlin Program for Advanced German and European Studies (12/1/11)

Berlin Program for Advanced German and European Studies

Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, 01.10.2012-30.09.2013

Deadline: December 1, 2011

Request for Research Proposals on Advanced German and European Studies

The Berlin Program for Advanced German and European Studies offers up to
one year of research support at the Freie Universität Berlin. It is open
to scholars in all social science and humanities disciplines, including
historians working on modern and contemporary German and European
history.

The program accepts applications from U.S. and Canadian nationals or
permanent residents. Applicants for a dissertation fellowship must be
full-time graduate students enrolled at a North American university who
have achieved ABD status by the time the proposed research stay in
Berlin begins. Also eligible are U.S. and Canadian Ph.D.s who have
received their doctorates within the past two calendar years.

The Berlin Program is based at, funded and administered by the Freie
Universität Berlin. The program’s publicity and selection process is
organized in cooperation with the German Studies Association (GSA).

The Berlin Program Fellowship stipends are EUR 1.100 per month for
fellows working on a dissertation project and EUR 1.400 per month for
fellows working on a postdoctoral research project.

More information on the program’s homepage.

Karin Goihl
Berlin Program for Advanced German and European Studies
Freie Universität Berlin
Garystr. 45
14195 Berlin
Germany

Tel: +49 30 838 56671
Fax: +49 30 838 56672
Email: bprogram@zedat.fu-berlin.de

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Was Shakespeare a Fraud?

Have you heard about the new movie coming out today, Oct. 28, that calls Shakespeare’s authorship into question? Anonymous takes that age old question to the big screen. We want to know what you think. As scholars, professors and readers, do you question Shakespeare as the author of Hamlet, Richard III and other classic stage plays? Read what the experts have written over the years using the links below. Or, add your comments to the debate.

Shakespeare’s Authorship – Sampling of Articles

Shakespeare’s Authorship – Sampling of Books

By Luisa Cywinski & Kristyna Carroll

Image courtesy of The New York Times


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Quick Tip: Access Cambridge Companions Online

From a primer on the Harlem Renaissance to a collection of essays about Michel Foucault, Cambridge Companions are often a great way to begin researching a topic.

Each Companion volume provides a variety of scholarly viewpoints on a major theme, author or time period, written by experts with a student audience in mind. The essays are generally accessible and easy to read, and they serve as an excellent launching point for any humanities research project.

Even better, they’re available online for free. Falvey subscribes to The Cambridge Companions Complete Collection, which allows Villanova University community members full access to Cambridge Companion materials. This includes Cambridge Companions to literature, philosophy, religion, classics and culture.

Try searching the library catalog, VuFind, to get an idea of the wealth of topics covered. You can also search the Cambridge Companions Collection directly here.

To access the full online version, click the “Online version” link in the record.

This will take you to the Cambridge Collections website. Look for the “Table of Contents” box on the right side of the page. Each chapter has its own page, where you can access a PDF of the full essay. Citation information is available on this page as well.

Find other library Quick Tips by clicking here.

Questions? Suggestions? Let us know in the Comments below.


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Arguedas Conference Brings Book Talks to Falvey

José María Arguedas

The Department of Romance Languages and Literatures celebrates Hispanic Cultural Heritage Month with a conference in honor of the centenary of prominent Peruvian author, anthropologist and literary critic, José María Arguedas (1911 – 1969). To complement the scholarly sessions and roundtable discussion of his work, the conference features a rich cultural program about the cultures of the Andean region of Peru.

During the conference, Falvey Memorial Library will host an exhibit, reception and book presentations featuring recent books on Andean studies.  The event will be held on Friday, Oct. 28, 2011, at 12:00 p.m. in the library first floor lounge.

Light refreshments will be served.  The event is free and open to the public.

Generally considered one of the foremost figures of 20th century Peruvian letters, Arguedas was born in the province of Andahuaylas in the southern Peruvian Andes. He was brought up among Quechua Indians, and learned Quechua before Spanish. He wrote mainly in Spanish although some of his poetry is in Quechua.

His best-known works include  Agua (1935), Yawar Fiesta (1941), Los rios profundos (1958), La agonía de Rasu Ñiti (1962), Todas las sangres (1964) and El zorro de arriba y el zorro de abajo (1971). You can listen to Arguedas reciting his poem “Canto a nuestro padre Tupac Amaru” here.

Other conference events will take place across campus:

  • Two special roundtable panels by invited presenters
  • A dance performance by two Peruvian indigenous dancers accompanied by live music by indigenous musicians
  • A presentation of an award-winning film Soy andina (about dances and cultures of Peru) by its director, Mitchell Teplitsky, and one of its protagonists, Cynthia Paniagua, who will give a live presentation of some of the dances featured in the film
  • A musical performance by Edgar Zárate, nephew of the legendary Peruvian guitarist, Raúl García Zárate, and Fredy Roncalla
  • A reception sponsored by the Peruvian Embassy

 

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons


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Do I need that DOI?

Yes, you do!

So, what is a DOI anyway? In the words of Chelsea Lee, a contributor to the APA Style Blog, “A DOI, or digital object identifier, is like a social security number for a document online. It’s a unique and permanent identifier that will take you straight to a document no matter where it’s located on the Internet.” Read more at her blog post, “A DOI Primer”.

In other words, even if a journal moves to a new Internet home, the DOI numbers will provide a permanent link to its articles. No more broken links. Just copy and paste the DOI number into Google and you will be taken to the web page where the article is located.

Of course, viewing the full text of an article will usually require a subscription to the journal in which it has been published. Villanova University community users may use our Citation Locator to search for and access the full text of an article via the library’s subscription source. A rather circuitous route, to be sure. But such is the current world of electronic publishing and DRI or digital rights management…but that’s a topic for another day!

If you are creating a bibliography of resources according to APA 6th Style, the DOI is required as the last element of the citation:

And if there is no DOI number? You can try looking it up using the Simple Text Query Form at http://www.crossref.org/SimpleTextQuery/ If unable to find a DOI number, then APA 6th Style recommends noting Retrieved from followed by the URL of the journal’s homepage.

More information on DOI numbers as required by APA 6th Style can be found on pp. 188–192 of the Publication Manual.

Questions? Feel free to contact Barbara.


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Last Modified: October 24, 2011

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