Description of the Selected Topic Session

The Selected Topic Session is an activity that consists of a variety of Topics and a variety of Arrangement Styles. Registered students are required to propose topics, the seminar arrangement method for each topic, and the language for that session. Additional suggestions from current graduate students and faculty members are greatly appreciated. The format of this session is expected to be casual but very professional and informative.

Topics

The topics can be about anything that is informative and useful. If there is a long list of proposed topics, the coordinator will choose the ones beneficial to most students, while making sure that the topics cover every subject field (especially for the registered students). The remaining topics that are not arranged in this semester will be postponed for the following semester.

Arrangement Style

There are 5 arrangement styles participants can choose for each topic proposed.

1. Oral presentation: The person to give an oral presentation can be ANYONE. It can be experts in the field (from government sectors, private sectors, universities), our own faculty members, or even students. The oral presentation will be focused on a particular topic. The invited speaker will be asked to provide a 20 to 30-minute presentation and the remaining 20-30 minutes will be open for questions and discussion.
2. Interview: Seminar participants can request someone to be interviewed. The seminar coordinator can act as the interviewer or the moderator. Questions can be listed in advance for the moderator, or the questions can be offered directly from the participants.
3. Discussion Panel: A number of panelists can be invited to share their thoughts or ideas on a particular topic. The course coordinator can act as the moderator or participants can also suggest who they want as the moderator. The session will begin with each panelist sharing their thoughts for a limited amount of time (3-5 minutes), then the session will move on towards a discussion between the panelists and/or participants.
4. Debate: In a debate session, prior to the event, participants must choose which side of the debate they want to join. They can also choose to participate as neutral. The room will be split into 2 main groups, the group “for” and the group “against” the proposed idea. Each group will take turns offering/defending ideas. The neutral group can also participate by offering questions or discussion points.
5. Open Floor Discussion: This arrangement style is the most flexible of all styles. The floor will focus on a particular topic and is open to any comments or questions from the participants. Questions can be offered to the floor for everybody’s consideration, or it can be directed to a specific person in the room.

FAQS (about the Selected Topic Session)

Q. Who can participate in the graduate level seminar?

A. Anyone can join. This includes current graduate students who are not registered for the class, professors, technical staff, and individuals from external organizations.

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Q. Is there a due date for proposing topics?

A. No. However, the sooner you propose a topic, the sooner the course coordinator can organize this seminar session for you. If you propose too late in the semester, we might not be able to arrange it in time and this session might be postponed to the next semester.

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Q. If I have a topic, but I don't have an idea about the arrangement style, is that ok?

A. Of course. The course coordinator can help you with identifying a good arrangement style for that session.

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Q. If I specify an invited speaker, do I have to contact this person myself?

A. Of course not. The course coordinator will contact this person, make schedule arrangements, and send an official invitation letter. 

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Q. If I wish to invite an expert to give a talk and do not have an idea who to invite, is that ok?

A. Of course. The course coordinator can help with searching for the right person for your topic.

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Q. How does the "Debate" session work?

A. All participants will have the chance to choose which side of the debate they wish to join. There can also be participants who wish to be on neither side and join as an intermediary. In the seminar room, the two main parties will sit on opposite sides and take turns to speak. The intermediary party can also participate by asking questions or giving comments.