During class this Wednesday evening (April 29), I will be collecting the research proposals for your final projects. I will review them and return them next week (or respond sooner by e-mail upon request).
Also this Wednesday, the following students will give oral presentations on their final projects: Taikyah H., Deb M., Mindy D., Samira C., Amanda S., Scott B., Desiree C., Angelina E., Todd T. and Julia C.
Everyone else, whether they have signed up for it or not, must give their oral presentations during next week's class (May 6).
As I mentioned in class last week, I've been having some difficulties accessing my e-mail account lately, so if you have urgent questions or concerns, call me at the number provided on the course syllabus.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Final project instructions
For your final project in the course, you will select one of the following research options:
1.) Art/lit option: Research the life and work of one artist or writer and write a paper discussing how one of that person’s works (a painting, poem, story, play, novel, etc.) was significant in his or her career. I suggest you select an artist or writer and a work with which you are already familiar and in which you are interested.
2.) Local history option: Research a significant person, landmark or institution in a local community’s history and write a paper discussing the subject’s influence (good, bad or mixed) on that community. If you select this option, I suggest you take advantage of the Kenneth Dorn Regional History Study Center at FMCC’s Evans Library as well as other local libraries, museums and historical societies.
3.) Science/tech option: Research a cutting-edge development in science, technology, engineering or medicine and write a speculative paper discussing what the future significance of this development might be. For example, you might research how scientists are developing a new technique for curing a disease, or how a software company is designing a new Web application.
4.) Social problem option: Research a current problem in society and write a paper arguing in favor of one possible solution to the problem. The problem you select should be something very specific (for example, “crime” is too broad a topic; it would be better to select a specific type of crime, in a specific geographical or social context.) Your paper need not offer an original solution, but it must describe the pros and cons of the solution you support as well as the pros and cons of the most likely alternatives.
No matter which option you choose, your speculation, argument or analysis must be based on evidence from your research sources, not merely your own personal opinions or “common sense.” I will be happy to suggest specific sources for your individual project, and of course the staff at the FMCC library is available for research consultation.
The final paper will be 5 to 7 pages long (double-spaced in a standard 12-pt font) and will include a separate cover sheet and a separate “Works Cited” page listing your sources according to MLA style. Your paper must use at least five separate sources. You will use in-text citations to attribute each summarized idea, paraphrase or quotation to its source.
Timeline for research project:
April 22: Read chapters 5, 6 and 7 in Research Papers textbook.
April 29: One- to two-page research proposal due in class, with annotated bibliography describing at least three likely sources. (Proposals must include summary of topic, research questions and working thesis.) Oral presentations begin.
May 6: Oral presentations continue. Review for final exam.
May 13: Final papers due at the start of class. Final exam.
1.) Art/lit option: Research the life and work of one artist or writer and write a paper discussing how one of that person’s works (a painting, poem, story, play, novel, etc.) was significant in his or her career. I suggest you select an artist or writer and a work with which you are already familiar and in which you are interested.
2.) Local history option: Research a significant person, landmark or institution in a local community’s history and write a paper discussing the subject’s influence (good, bad or mixed) on that community. If you select this option, I suggest you take advantage of the Kenneth Dorn Regional History Study Center at FMCC’s Evans Library as well as other local libraries, museums and historical societies.
3.) Science/tech option: Research a cutting-edge development in science, technology, engineering or medicine and write a speculative paper discussing what the future significance of this development might be. For example, you might research how scientists are developing a new technique for curing a disease, or how a software company is designing a new Web application.
4.) Social problem option: Research a current problem in society and write a paper arguing in favor of one possible solution to the problem. The problem you select should be something very specific (for example, “crime” is too broad a topic; it would be better to select a specific type of crime, in a specific geographical or social context.) Your paper need not offer an original solution, but it must describe the pros and cons of the solution you support as well as the pros and cons of the most likely alternatives.
No matter which option you choose, your speculation, argument or analysis must be based on evidence from your research sources, not merely your own personal opinions or “common sense.” I will be happy to suggest specific sources for your individual project, and of course the staff at the FMCC library is available for research consultation.
The final paper will be 5 to 7 pages long (double-spaced in a standard 12-pt font) and will include a separate cover sheet and a separate “Works Cited” page listing your sources according to MLA style. Your paper must use at least five separate sources. You will use in-text citations to attribute each summarized idea, paraphrase or quotation to its source.
Timeline for research project:
April 22: Read chapters 5, 6 and 7 in Research Papers textbook.
April 29: One- to two-page research proposal due in class, with annotated bibliography describing at least three likely sources. (Proposals must include summary of topic, research questions and working thesis.) Oral presentations begin.
May 6: Oral presentations continue. Review for final exam.
May 13: Final papers due at the start of class. Final exam.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Assignments for this week
In class this Wednesday, April 8, I will collect the final drafts of Essay #2. Please remember to turn in a copy of your rough draft as well as your final draft so I can see your revisions and factor them into your grade.
Because several students did not attend last week's class and some attended but did not bring a rough draft to discuss, they will be allowed to get together with others in the same boat -- on their own time -- to critique their rough drafts. They will be allowed to turn in final drafts a week late (with a grade penalty for lateness).
In class this week, we will discuss a few new grammar and style concepts and the first two chapters of the textbook on research papers. Students must come prepared to discuss these chapters.
Because several students did not attend last week's class and some attended but did not bring a rough draft to discuss, they will be allowed to get together with others in the same boat -- on their own time -- to critique their rough drafts. They will be allowed to turn in final drafts a week late (with a grade penalty for lateness).
In class this week, we will discuss a few new grammar and style concepts and the first two chapters of the textbook on research papers. Students must come prepared to discuss these chapters.
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