Undergraduate Humanities Conference

Thursday, January 25: 

8:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. Presenter Check-In and Breakfast (MSC 3707) 
8:45 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Welcome and Opening Remarks (MSC 3707) 
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Poster Session I (MSC 3705) 
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. PANEL SESSION I 
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. KEYNOTE ADDRESS (MSC 3707) 
12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. LUNCH (MSC 3707) 
1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. PANEL SESSION II 
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. PANEL SESSION III 
3:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. PANEL SESSION IV 

Friday, January 26:

9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Breakfast (MSC 3707) 
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Poster Session II (MSC 3705) 
10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. PANEL SESSION V 
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. LUNCH (MSC 3707) 
1:00 p.m – 2:00 p.m. Professionalization Roundtable with Honey Rand (MSC 3707) 
2:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. PANEL SESSION VI

Thursday, January 25
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
MSC 3707

"Why Study the Middle Ages?" 
Co-sponsored with USF Libraries

Dr. Tracy is a Professor of English Studies and Chair of the General Education Program at Fitchburg State University, a small liberal arts college in Massachusetts. Dr. Tracy will “share ideas from my book about the various ways the Middle Ages are significant to us, focusing on multiple areas of study to reimagine our perceptions of the medieval. Representations of the Middle Ages appear everywhere – in films, books, social media, language, architecture, etc. – influencing popular (mis)conceptions about the time period. Some of these representations are seemingly inconsequential, but others perpetuate dangerous ideas. Even in something as ‘made for entertainment’ as the next medieval-esque film, it’s important to recognize issues and not support problematic myths.”

Microsoft Teams Livestream

Friday, January 26
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
MSC 3707

"Humanities and Professional Life Roundtable"

How can we balance our intellectual passions with the reality of earning a living? How do community, vocation, and aspiration intersect (or not)? These are some of the questions that students will be able to discuss with USF Alumna, Honey Rand. While Rand has always been a compulsive writer and reader, she has had incredible career experiences that often look different than what people expect a “writer’s life” to look like. From serving in the Army to owning her own company, The Environmental PR Group, Rand will be sharing insights from her remarkable career with students who are just getting ready to begin their professional journeys.

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

• Name
• Email
• Major(s)
• Campus
• Presentation Format (Poster Session, Paper for Panel Discussion, Creative Project)
• Research category 
• Title of project
• Are you eating lunch at the conference? (Free breakfast and lunch is provided to student conference presenters)

• 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 an overview for application purposes. Please include your name and project title in the abstract.

No. All majors are welcome.

Yes. You can now apply to the conference as a group on one single application.  *Please only list the group members in the application who plan to attend the conference.

You can design a 36" x 48" poster on Powerpoint (Design> Slide Size> Custom Slide Size> H: 36" x W: 48"). A poster layout example and previous conference posters are available for reference.

Print your poster at the USF Library (first floor) by using the desktop computers and print swipes. Alternatively, you can pay to print at the USF Print Center in the Marshall Student Center.

Drop off posters at the Humanities Institute office (CPR 474 - Cooper Hall 4th Floor) by Tuesday, Jan. 23 or bring your poster to the conference to hang up. Velcro stickers are provided. 

No. An abstract is sufficient for the application, giving students plenty of time to complete their work before the conference. Students are encouraged to apply with an existing midterm or final project or research that may still be in progress during the Fall semester. By the time January comes, students will have a more developed or finished project to present. 

Yes!

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 (~100 words).

Example: "Jane is a National Merit Scholar student studying English and Sociology. She is involved in Club Volleyball and is president of the no name club. Jane is a Junior and plans to attend graduate school in North Dakota and get her research published in TheMadeUp journal."

You’re ready! Nearly everyone will be presenting their research for the first time, so you’re in good company. The Humanities Institute staff is here to help you plan and prepare if you need help. The conference is designed to be professional, but supportive and fun for new scholars.

Yes! Undergraduate 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.

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 conference. For further assistance or if you cannot present at your original scheduled time, please contact Liz Kicak. 

If you are unable to attend the conference, please contact Liz Kicak as soon as possible so we can adjust the conference schedule and remove you from the program. 

Yes, conference presenters are provided FREE breakfast and lunch both days, including coffee and tea throughout the day. Please indicate in your application if you plan to eat at the conference so we know how much food to order. Also indicate any dietary restrictions in your application submission.