Seminar Structure

The course consists of weekly meetings with student presentations per week. Students are expected to participate in the following activities:

Presentations

Each student will present either ~2 individual paper presentations or one longer thematic presentation. The presentation formats are:

Individual Paper Presentation (35 minutes total)

1. Context and Problem Statement (5 minutes): Introduce the paper's core problem, its significance, and key background.
2. Technical Contribution (10 minutes): Detail the key technical aspects and methodological approaches.
3. Future Directions & Comments (5 minutes): Share your analysis and potential research directions.
4. Interactive Discussion (15 minutes): Open discussion on the paper's contributions and extensions.

Thematic Presentation (70 minutes total)

Students may opt to combine two presentation slots into one longer presentation covering 2-3 related papers in a specific topic area:

1. Area Overview (10 minutes): Introduce the topic area and its evolution.
2. Papers' Technical Contributions (25 minutes): Present key methods and findings across the papers.
3. Comparative Analysis (15 minutes): Compare approaches, discuss tradeoffs, and identify trends.
4. Interactive Discussion (20 minutes): Explore connections and future directions in the area.

Paper Discussion Preparation

To demonstrate paper comprehension and prepare for meaningful discussion, each student must prepare one substantive question or critical observation about the paper to share during the discussion period. These can focus on connecting concepts across papers, critiquing methodology choices, proposing alternative approaches or discussing real-world applications or implications.

3-Credit Option

Students have the option to take this course for 3 credits by completing an independent project. This project can expand upon topics covered in the presentations or explore related research directions. Students choosing the 3-credit option must:

• Discuss and finalize their project proposal with the instructor(s) within the first two weeks of the semester
• Define concrete objectives and milestones for the semester
• Meet regularly with the instructor(s) to discuss progress

Attendance

Students are expected to attend all class sessions. If you need to miss a class, please notify the instructor in advance for approval.