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The CCRA blog is authored by Columbia undergraduate researchers, who are invited to reflect on all aspects of the research process and their own undergraduate research experiences, beginning (but not ending) with the Core.
Category Archives: courses
The Presentation Place
Before this semester, I always thought of presentations as research’s final hurrah. Paper written, edits made, the presentation is simply the bow, the final flourish completing the package. As I’ve learned from this semester, that isn’t always, or even often, … Continue reading
Posted in courses, Uncategorized
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An Interview with Professor Emmanuelle Saada, Chair of CC
Professor Emmanuelle Saada is the Chair of Contemporary Civilization and Professor of French and of History at Columbia. She spoke with me in October about adapting to teaching the Core online, the direction in which Contemporary Civilization is headed, and … Continue reading
Posted in courses, COVID-19, Interviews, The Core, Uncategorized
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Scared of the Core Because You’re not a Humanities Person?
A professor recently asked me if, when I was applying to Columbia as a prospective math major, the Core scared me. His assumption, a common one, was that as someone who prefers math and science, the idea of committing a … Continue reading
Posted in courses, STEM research, The Core
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Notes, Notes, and More Notes
Isabel recently posted an excellent blog post about flowcharts: what they are, and why you should be using them. (I’m definitely trying that method out on my next long paper—thanks Isabel!) I’ve been thinking these days about something related, which … Continue reading
Posted in courses, Senior Thesis
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Outlining a Future (Essay)
It’s the end of the semester. That point where it feels like the end is in sight, and yet there is still so much to complete before we can say we’re really finished. And, for a lot of us finals … Continue reading
Posted in courses, Senior Thesis
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The Core, Explained
One of the primary things Columbia College is known for is its “Core.” A set of requirements that all CC students must complete before graduation, parts of the Core resemble what might be described as general education requirements while other … Continue reading
Posted in courses, The Core, University Writing
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Reading for Research
One of the most daunting parts of research papers—and, admittedly, of college humanities courses at large—has been secondary reading. I had read journal articles for some classes in high school, but mostly for science classes: academic papers in the humanities … Continue reading
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Let Your Thinking Flow
It’s the middle of November, which means I’m anxiously awaiting the three days we’re given off from school during which I become more mashed potatoes and apple crisp than human. I say “anxiously” because while I cannot wait to wake … Continue reading
Posted in courses, The Core, Uncategorized, University Writing
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Pacing Your Papers
If the start to your November has been anything like mine, every item on your to-do list has had something to do with the word “essay”: whether a five-page paper for my intro-level lecture class, a ten-page paper for my … Continue reading
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Circular Process, Linear Result
It recently occurred to me that I have an entire chapter of my thesis due next week, and yet I have only done a little over half of the reading and research that I will eventually complete for my entire … Continue reading
Posted in courses, Senior Thesis, Uncategorized
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