PRO: Professional Research Opportunities

Lauren Greaves The Past, Present, and Future of Book Editing This Professional Research project details the evolution of book publishing. It looks back at some of the major changes that have already occurred and have affected how books are distributed and read and it also looks ahead to the future of the publishing industry. Finally, this project describes my own experience as an editorial intern for an independent publishing company.

Villanova's Professional Research Option is an opportunity for graduate students to explore a professional field over the course of a semester and write a report to summarize their findings. This is a great opportunity for students to explore a profession that appeals to them in the process of deciding on a career.   Abstract: In light of currently expanding digitized media distribution and the growing commercialization of social networking practices, this project sought to explore the career potential of professional blog writing through both self-hosted platforms and contractual blog contributing under established media outlets. After summarizing the historical progression of blogging since it began in the 1990s, this investigation also brings blogging up to speed by reporting on some of its current statistical uses and  trends. It then investigates the relationship between education and blogging, a link that is itself inherently uncertain because of the self-me...

This paper explores the roles and responsibilities of today’s English educator (both the secondary teacher and the university professor). It first provides a general historical overview of how literature has functioned and served society over the last several centuries. By chronicling the various literary movements since the 18th century, we can begin to understand how English situates itself in modern schooling and how the social and political systems and statuses of the world over history have dictated how literature can serve society. The study then explores different facets, duties, and skills of the actual teaching role and position as literary educator. By synthesizing current educational pedagogy and literary theory along with incorporating commentary from several interviews with professionals in the field, we explore the teacher’s moral sensibility, her competence as a “social being,” her improvisational and spiritual performance skills, and the all important ability to model ...

This Professional Research Option project explores the history of the eBook industry, considers its current state, and offers some projections regarding its future. The project also discusses the best job opportunities in the industry, considering positions at traditional publishers, small presses, and recent entrants to the market like Amazon and Apple, then pinpointing geographic centers for eBook publishing. Finally, this study highlights the advantages of advanced studies in literature when seeking a career in eBooks, and identifies a variety of additional skill sets, such as technology and marketing, that could make a jobseeker more appealing to potential employers. The appendices include a selection of additional reading and resources, a sample cover letter and résumé, sample job listings, and industry statistics from the United States Department of Labor. For a copy of the full paper, contact Dr. Hicks at heather.hicks@villanova.edu , or drop by the Graduate Lounge, where hard...

The gravity of the written word is not taken lightly by the English scholar, and in the course of study, the goals of precision and clarity in written communication and argumentation are essential to a successful completion of an MA in Literature. Approaching editing as a professional option then, seems a probable path for the skill set of a newly minted English MA recipient. This independent research project sets out to discover just how probable it is, providing a brief history of the book editing profession, matching the English MA scholars’ skills sets with those of the professional editor, demystifying the editorial job function, and examining current print and digital models of the publishing industry. Additionally, sections on advice from the experts, educational resources, and job opportunities in the current market serve as a helpful how-to guide. For a copy of the full paper, contact Dr. Hicks at  heather.hicks@villanova.edu , or drop by the Graduate Lounge where hard...

The Role of Instruction in the Academic Library This paper focuses on the role of instruction in the current field of academic librarianship. It explores the history of the field, including the evolution of both traditional and new models of academic librarianship. It examines future prospects of the field through personal interviews as well as through job searching websites for librarians. It identifies job descriptions for information literacy/instruction librarian positions and considers the requirements and education/preparation for that role. Finally, the paper addresses the ways in which high school and academic librarians’ roles intersect, suggesting particular practices for cross-collaboration between the two similar fields. The appendices include job listings, a cover letter sample, a sample résumé, and an additional bibliography for further research in library instruction. For a copy of the full paper, contact Dr. Hicks at  heather.hicks@villanova.edu , or drop by the ...

Click here to view a model proposal for PRO projects. Check back for updates on the latest PRO projects from previous semesters!