Introduction to Research Writing
October 22nd – December
19th, 2013
TTh 1:00 - 2:30, Room __
Shane Abrams
Course Texts
The Bedford Guide for College Writers, 8th ed. Ed. X.J.
Kennedy, Dorothy M. Kennedy, and Marcia F. Muth. Boston: Bedford, 2008. Print.
MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, 7th ed. Modern Language
Association. New York: MLA, 2009. Print.
The
following blog will also serve as a resource for disseminating materials,
notes, and texts:
Course Description
Introduction
to Research Writing will expose students to the process of research, analysis,
and non-fiction writing in order to prepare them for research-oriented writing
in a variety of disciplines. Students will foster intermediate level research
and citation skills while developing the ability to critically analyze and
synthesize information. Additionally, the overarching structure of the course
aims to introduce students to cultural customs and the global community.
Learning Outcomes and Essential
Questions
During
this course, students will develop the ability to…
· utilize a variety of resources in
the research process.
· distinguish between credible and
non-credible sources.
· appropriately cite sources to
avoid intentional and unintentional plagiarism.
· expand their knowledge of diverse
cultural heritage, customs, and traditions.
We will
aim to explore—perhaps even answer—some of the following questions:
· How can we critically consume
media to expand our understanding of the global community?
· Why is it important to avoid
plagiarism? How can we express organic and authentic ideas within a community
of scholarship?
Outcomes Assessment
The
following assignments will be used to assess students’ progress toward learning
outcomes: participation & attendance (graded daily); daily journal entries
(graded once per block); in-class and out-of-class assignments; weekly topical
research papers; and a final project. Additionally, other artistic or academic
assignments will be collected and assessed when the instructor sees
appropriate.
Classroom Agreements –
Grading, Attendance, and Comportment
Grades
for Introduction to Research Writing will be calculated on a points-based
scale; i.e., each assignment, including long-term projects and daily
participation grades, will be valued at a certain number of points possible.
Over the 8-week course, points possible will amount to roughly 800-1000 points.
At any time, a student may request his or her grade, and I will do my best to
provide a response in a timely fashion.
Extra
credit will not be provided, barring
unforeseen, extenuating circumstances; therefore, students are expected to
complete each and every assignment to the best of their respective abilities.
Opportunity for success will not be withheld: each student will have the chance
to excel, in terms of grades and
personal growth. However, the burden
lies upon the student to optimize these opportunities.
Students
should attend all classes as possible. There will be only 16 sessions of
Introduction to Research Writing; each absence is detrimental to your learning
potential. I will not deduct points for absences, whether they are excused or
unexcused. However, students are always responsible for information, work, and
cumulative assignments which they miss when absent: missing multiple classes
will unforgivingly hinder a student’s academic success. If a student misses
class, I advise visiting the course blog – http://boulderprepirw.blogspot.com/
– to see what she or he missed and what she or he needs in order to catch up.
If you know in advance that you will miss a class, please consult with me
beforehand.
Students are expected to arrive to
class on time.
This means that each student should be sitting at a desk with all necessary
materials, including any assigned reading for the class, ready to begin working
at 1:00. This does not mean walking from the Commons to the classroom at 1:00; this
does not mean arriving at 12:59 and leaving to use the bathroom until 1:05. In regards to individual breaks, you
should think of yourselves as adults during this class: leave the classroom only when you must and only when it is appropriate. At the
maximum, only one student should be out of the classroom at any given time.
Respect everyone’s educational opportunity.
My
classroom is a place for personal growth, be it intellectual, emotional, or
otherwise. I expect all students to help me maintain an environment conducive
to such growth. All students are entitled to the right to improve and evolve,
and no person should infringe upon this right in any manner. My classroom will
be a safe and respectful environment for my students to exercise their right to
learn.
Course
Specific Grades:
Daily
participation – 10 pts. / day
Daily
journal entries – 160 pts.
Weekly topical
research papers – 50 pts. each
General
assignments – 10-20 pts. / each (approx. 150 pts. total)
Final project
– 300 pts.
* see particular assignment sheets for specific breakdown and
expectations
Academic
Honesty
Plagiarism
and cheating, whether intentional or unintentional, shall not be tolerated.
Every student is expected to follow any and all codes of academic honesty
endorsed by Boulder Preparatory High School.
*Note: it will be very easy to
accidentally plagiarize during this course. Take extreme caution and err on the
side of citing too frequently.
Electronic
Devices
In order
to contribute to a classroom environment which respects everyone’s educational
opportunities, students are asked to refrain from the use of cell phones and
other unnecessary and/or distracting devices during class time. When you are in
class, regardless of the nature of the activity, your cell phone should be put
away, your music device shut off, and any other devices out of sight. Devices
that seem to be distracting any student will be impounded for the remainder of
the period.
Materials Needed
Please
bring these things to class every day:
Writing
materials (pen/pencil, paper)
Course
texts (readings, handouts, assignments, etc.)
Writing journal
Binder,
folder, or other organizational system for hand-out readings
Approximate Schedule of
Study and Curriculum
This
schedule is a rough estimate and is subject to change.
Weekly topical research papers are
due every Thursday at 2:30 PM.
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Week one (10/17 - 10/24) –
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Introduction
to the Research Process
Trustworthy
Sources
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Week two (10/28 - 10/31) –
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Plagiarism
and Citation
Annotation
and Analysis
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Week three (11/4 - 11/7) –
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Thesis
Statements and Paragraph Organization
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Week four (11/11 - 11/14) –
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Essay
Organization
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Week five (11/18 - 11/21) –
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Using
Non-Traditional Resources
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Thanksgiving
Break (11/25 - 11/29)
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Week six (12/2 - 12/5) –
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Using
Research to Support an Argument
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Week seven (12/9 - 12/12) –
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Understanding
Challenging Texts
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Week eight (12/16 - 12/19) –
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Final
Project Research and Design
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Miscellaneous
I reserve
the right to amend or alter this syllabus; please note that any changes are
made in an effort to create the best possible academic environment. I will
notify students of any such changes as promptly as possible.
I
wholeheartedly welcome feedback. Please do not hesitate to provide response to
my teaching practices, assignments, etc.—but please provide this feedback while
class is not in session.
I,
_______________________________, hereby acknowledge that I have received and
reviewed this
(print
name)
syllabus.
Any questions or concerns that have arisen have been addressed adequately.
I
recognize that I am a student: I am capable of anything I encounter in this
course, though it may be challenging—and it should be challenging. I will not
state that I “can’t” do something, but that I “can’t yet.” I will ask for help
when I need it, whether assistance is from Shane, from my peers, or from
another responsible individual.
I will
contribute to a classroom environment which is healthy, fun, welcoming,
intellectual, emotional, and safe, among other things.
I will
respect everyone’s educational opportunities; I will respect our building; I
will respect my peers’ and instructors’ belongings; I will respect everyone’s
right to make amends.
I will be
the best person—intellectually, socially, and otherwise—that I can be.
_____________________________________ __________________
(signature) (date)
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