I am presenting at MLA on Tuesday and Wednesday. It has almost been decades since I last attended MLA.

MLA lasts from Sunday to Wednesday. I know that lots of people don’t stay for the whole time. I understand that. Four days at Philadelphia prices is a lot. Plus, I get overwhelmed if I go to too many sessions.

So my question really is, should I go on Monday rather than Sunday? Should I come in early or late in the day?

Anyone have any suggestions?

For grade challenges, I have included a statement in my syllabus explaining that a grade represents achievement, not effort, and does not signify anything about the student’s potential or skills in any other area; my typical grade distribution for the course; and a statement about the difference in meaning and procedure for requesting an explanation of a grade (asking how to improve) and requesting consideration for a grade change (must be done in writing with evidence). Those things combined with a rubric for the main assignments have dramatically decreased the complaints I deal with. I don’t like to get into an unpleasant interaction with a student, so I’m big on prevention. That might not work with your students, of course.

from Kedves

Log in to Project Muse which lists many (all?) humanities journals by title, and has a link for each one with info. about submission guidelines. I don’t know why I didn’t do this during my 3rd year of grad study, but boy, I wish I had. I now have a folder listing basic info (MLA or CMS citation style, and length limits) on a few dozen journals. It’s actually a good psychological exercise: just looking at that list actually makes me feel like, “Hey, surely I can get this sucker published somewhere!”

from Jacaranda

“we go to conferences to hear what’s new.” Cranefly

It’s also a good way to meet people in your field, network, and get a job or better job, through the increase in presentations on your CV.