Graduate Humanities Symposium

8:00am - 8:45am | Breakfast and Check-In (MSC 3705)

8:45am - 9:45am | Session I

• Panel 1 | Exploring Identities Through Latine Literature (MSC 3705) 
• Panel 2 | Memory, Landscape, and Growth (MSC 3709) 
• Panel 3 | Activism, Social Organization, and Political Movements (MSC 3711) 

10:00am - 11:00am | Session II

• Panel 4 | Language and Identity (MSC 3705) 
• Panel 5 | Journeys of the Spirit: Philosophy to Fiction (MSC 3709) 
• Panel 6 | Utopia, Dystopia, and Outsiders (MSC 3711) 

11:15am - 12:15pm | Session III

• Panel 7 | Screening Narratives: Media, Identity, and Cultural Representation (MSC 3711) 
• Panel 8 | Class and Power in the Premodern World (MSC 3709) 

12:15pm - 1:00pm | Lunch (provided for presenters and moderators) MSC 3705

1:00pm - 2:00pm | Session IV

• Panel 9 | Narratives Through New Media (MSC 3705) 
• Panel 10 | Gender and Other Tensions in Horror Genre Film (MSC 3709) 
• Panel 11 | Human Rights, Empathy, and Communication (MSC 3711) 

2:15pm - 3:15pm | Session V

• Panel 12 | Not at the Dinner Table: Religion, Politics, and Scholarship (MSC 3705) 
• Panel 13 | Out of Bounds: Morality and Gender Nonconformity (MSC 3709) 
• Panel 14 | Nonconformity: Living Outside the Boundaries (MSC 3711) 

3:30pm - 4:30pm | Session VI

• Panel 15 | Not Just Setting: The Role of Place in Creative Writing (MSC 3711) 

When you're ready to apply, here's what we'll ask for in the application:

• Name and pronouns 
• USF email 
• Masters or PhD student
• Major / Program
• Title of project 
• Do you plan to eat lunch at the conference and dietary restrictions? 
• Student Scholar Biography (see "What goes into my biography?" for more details. ~100 words max./ 3-5 sentences)
• Abstract (PDF file upload)
  • (200 words max.) This is where you submit a brief summary of your project or research. Even if your project is not complete yet, you can still submit a general overview for application purposes. Writing the abstract in future tense may help. Please include your name and project title in the abstract. 

No. An abstract is sufficient for the application. Students are encouraged to apply with an existing project or research that may still be in progress.

The biography is a few sentences that describes your academics interests, course of study, and future plans. Please write your biography in 3rd person and limit it to 3-5 sentences (less than 100 words).

Example: "Jane completed her bachelor's degree in English at the University of Central Florida and is now pursuing her PhD in English literature at USF. Her research focuses on copyright history and it's impacts on 19th century publishers. After graduation, Jane hopes to get a position as a tenured faculty member and start her own book club. Jane volunteers at her local community garden and grows her own peppers."

You should plan to speak for 12 – 15 minutes. If you go over 15 minutes, the moderator will kindly let you know your time is up. 

No. You are the only person who sees your paper. You can read directly from it, or bring notes to guide your oral presentation. 

Visual aids like PowerPoints or images are completely optional. We will have the A/V capabilities if you want to make use of them.

Yes, presenters are provided free breakfast and lunch, including coffee and tea throughout the day. Please indicate in your application if you plan to eat lunch. Also indicate any dietary restrictions in your application submission. 

If your presentation time conflicts with a class, you should inform your instructor right away to see if they can support you in this opportunity to present at the symposium. For further assistance or if you cannot present at your original scheduled time, please contact Liz Kicak. 

Yes! Graduate students from all campuses are invited to apply. If transportation is an obstacle to participating in the conference in-person on the Tampa campus, please contact Liz Kicak.

No. This is a low-stakes symposium to practice presenting your research and prepare for future conferences.

You’re ready! The Humanities Institute staff is here to help you plan and prepare if you need help. The symposium is designed to be professional, but supportive and fun.