GSPSO Activities

GRAPSHY

Georgetown’s Graduate Portuguese and Hispanic Symposium (GRAPHSY) is the department’s student-organized graduate conference. Open to both students of literature and linguistics, the conference brings together graduate students from universities around the country to present their research, participate in mentorship sessions with established scholars and professors from Georgetown and consortium schools and enjoy the talks of invited keynote speakers and panelists. For information on the most recent conference, visit the GRAPHSY section.

Intramural Sports

Every year, the department competes against students from other graduate departments in a variety of co-ed intramural sports. In past years, some of these sports have included futsal, volleyball, kickball and soccer. No experience necessary to participate and have some fun!

Happy Hours

GSPSO’s executive board and social organizer plan periodic happy hours for the department at Epicurean, the campus bar. With food and drink tickets provided when available, departmental happy hours provide a way to de-stress and get to know one’s fellow colleagues outside of the classroom.

Workshop Series

Based on student input and interest, GSPSO hosts a series of workshops which aim to educate students on processes of graduate student academic life and promote their development as researchers and scholars. Past workshops have tackled how to publish an article for students of linguistics, how to publish an article for students of literature, how to submit an IRB form for approval, a how-to on the job search and navigating the job market, the preparation of conference presentations and writing of abstracts, among others.

Brown Bag Speaker Series

Depending on interest and availability, GSPSO is able to invite scholars and researchers from outside universities to give talks on their current research to department students. These talks are an excellent opportunity to build connections and keep up-to-date on trends in current research. 

Lab Meetings

On a voluntary basis, students may participate in a series of lab meetings in which a group of students and professors reunite to discuss their current research and receive feedback from peers. In these meetings – generally once every two to three weeks – students assigned to present that day briefly present their progress on a current research project, thesis, or paper while others provide comments and suggestions for improvement. These meetings provide students with the opportunity not only to hear what their peers are working on but also to practice presentation skills, workshop solutions to problems they may be facing, share knowledge with peers in other specializations, and feel a sense of accountability as they progress through their project. Pizza and refreshments are provided!