How do I pitch a course that I want to develop?

[Mobius]

I'll say this as someone who has seem many flail. Use your coursework as a framework form your dissertation and/or journal articles. You don't need to worry about going to the latest workshop to meet the latest star who knows the latest hit method. You don't need to visit a department elsewhere to do be a great scholar.

You have several objectives. The first is finish coursework. Second is pass comps. Third would be defend a prospectus. Fourth and fifth are teach and write a dissertation.