Lay Document Proposal

Problem Statement

While most history undergraduates should be aware that a graduate history program exists, how well informed about the particulars of the program is debatable.

Were more history undergraduates better informed about the program, it is conceivable that it could grow into a larger and more prestigious program. To that end, a document that both increases awareness of and interest in the program could be useful in addressing the problem.

Problem Section

As of Fall 2006, there were currently thirty three graduate students enrolled in the History MA program at Clemson[1]. A search using Clemson University’s online phonebook turns up 463 results for individuals with History as their listed major, which includes the graduate students[2]. That should leave 430 of the results as undergraduates, and even accounting for those students not currently active, the result should still be that there are over ten undergraduates for every one graduate student. While the graduate program enjoys a quite good student to professor ratio[3], the program could still likely benefit from more applicants.

More applicants could result in increased interest in the program from the administration, and possibly increased funding. With that funding it would be possible to do any number of things to improve the program, but chief among them would be hiring new professors, either to diversify the History Department as a whole, or to provide additional expertise in a given field. The addition of new faculty members and the funding needed to support them would be a tremendous boon to the department and to the students, undergraduate and graduate alike.

Significantly less than ten percent of the undergraduate history students seem to go on to attend graduate school at Clemson. The possible reasons are myriad, but one can argue that at least some of those students may have stayed here, or made a bid for graduate school at all had they better understood what the graduate program here involved. It is this apparent lack of awareness that bears addressing, as it could otherwise be holding the program back from growth.

Solution

The History department’s website has some useful and compelling information regarding the program available for prospective students, but it requires at least some pre-existing interest. Advisors should be much more effective in this regard, as they can make active inquiries as to their advisee’s intentions, and can prompt the advisees to consider the idea of graduate school. If they were armed with some material they could hand to interested students, they could further cement that interest. To that end, a booklet describing the program in general terms, as well as stressing the possible benefits of attending graduate school would be an excellent start towards strengthening advisors’ ability to generate prospective graduate students.

A booklet would make for an excellent way to fill this need, as it is capable of holding more information than a trifold, and not be too unwieldy at the same time. Further, the booklet should be visually appealing, something that makes the reader want to read it. Posters or other visually focused accessories could further aid in generating interest.

Qualifications

I believe myself qualified to take on this task for several reasons. First, I am a history undergraduate here at Clemson University, with aspirations of going on to graduate school, here or elsewhere. Hence, I feel I have a vested interest in the problem. Second, I have had some graphic design instruction, and some experience in producing similar documents, and I feel that I can make an attractive looking document. Third, my minor here is technical writing, and I feel I can make the document functional as well as attractive.

Work Plan

to be updated and revised as needed

Week of October 8^th

© Finish research regarding document

Week of October 15^th

© Begin deciding upon content of booklet

© Take photos to be used in booklet

Week of October 22^rd

© Assessment of progress and work plan updates

© Assess viability of doing posters and additional material

© Begin writing of material for booklet

Week of October 29^rd

© Begin formatting draft booklet

Week of November 5^th

© First draft of booklet

Week of November 12^th

© Revisions

© Begin secondary items, if feasible

Week of November 19^th

© Draft Due

© Continue secondary items

Week of November 26^th

© Prepare final draft based on input

Week of December 3^rd

© Presentation

---

[1] Current Graduate Students—Fall 2006. (Last accessed October 11, 2007)

[2] Clemson University Phonebook. (Last accessed October 11, 2007)

[3] The Master of Arts in History. (Last accessed October 11, 2007)