There will be some revisions to the organization and grading of reading groups from prior years due to increased enrollment from the computer science MS program; check ELMS for details.
The goal of each reading group (2 class periods) is to collectively read and discuss recent literature on topics related to the course.
The first class period will be used for small group discussion, with each group being assigned a different paper. Each student is responsible for reading their assigned paper in advance of class and then being present in class to discuss the paper. (students with excused absences will be able to submit a make-up assignment.)
The second class period will be used for short paper presentations, one from a member of each small group, followed by class-wide questions and discussion. The group member(s) responsible for giving the presentation rotates, so that all students in the class will have presented a paper by the end of the term. This is important for grading purposes. (students with excused absences will be allowed to reschedule their presentation if possible; otherwise they will be allowed to submit a video recording of their presentation to be played during class or viewed at an alternative time.)
The small-to-large group discussion framework is inspired by Brent Roberts' course Psych 593 Topics in Personality Psychology, offered at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in fall 2017. I am excited that others are adopting this course structure, for example Kristen Vaccaro at University of California, San Diego.
Reading groups for fall 2024 will be posted here.
Check out groups from past years: