BELLEVUE COLLEGE
ENGLISH 201 – The RESEARCH
Paper
Winter Quarter 2013
Paula
D. Sebastian, Ph.C.
Office
Location: R230K
Email: psebasti@bellevuecollege.edu
Office
Phone:
POLICY STATEMENT
Textbooks: The Informed Argument, 8th ed. Miller
Any other
writing handbook (recommended – on reserve in the library)
·
Access
to CANVAS/Internet & printer
·
Course
Reserves in the library – I’ll address
this in class
·
Floppy
or USB flash drive (anything to save your work)
·
Folder to
save your work and handouts
·
BC
student email address
Course
Description:
This course is designed to take you step by
step through the process of writing a major research paper. We will break the
process of writing a research paper down into several manageable phases, each
culminating with either a short 2-3 page paper or the presentation of research
materials. Throughout the quarter we will read and analyze both our own and
previously published writing. We will learn to use various research tools,
including those from our textbook, those located in the library, and those
online to locate relevant resources. Once material is located, you will be
introduced to methods for reading and effectively evaluating it. You will also
be introduced to effective note-taking strategies, methods of constructing and
organizing a bibliography, and proper source citations. The final paper will
present evidence of your ability to summarize and critically analyze outside
material while synthesizing it to effectively support a clear and engaging
original thesis.
Content:
You will get out of this experience what you
put into it. At its heart, this course is about exploiting resources: hunting
down, identifying, analyzing and then extracting information that helps you develop
an informed position which you then attempt to persuade your audience to adopt.
This is a course in creative writing and thinking. Everything you need – your
raw materials – are presently available to you; I am a resource, just as your
textbooks are a resource, the library, the newspaper, your relatives and social
network. Your grade depends on the degree to which you make use of your
resources. My job is to cultivate some independent thinking and confidence in
your own judgment. Those of you who need to be told what to do and what to
think will find this class frustrating. Those of you with an interest in being
more than spectators will be limited only by certain academic conventions and
your own imagination.
Requirements and Grading Policy:
To receive full credit for this course, you
are expected to:
ü
attend
each class meeting on time
ü
read
all assigned readings
ü
participate
in all class discussions
ü
Submit
completed assignments for reading responses, rough drafts, peer evaluations,
and final drafts
ü
NO LATE
ARRIVALS ARE ALLOWED; NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS ARE ACCEPTED
ü
LAPTOP USE:
You may NOT use a laptop unless cleared with me
(or DRC) first.
Grading:
Your final grade will be based on completion
of ALL the following assignments:
Attendance/Participation/Module Responses 30%
Short Essays (Summary, Critical Analysis,
Synthesis) 30%
Fully Documented Research Paper (6 parts) 40%
Percentage to Letter Grades:
95-100
= A 94-90 = A-
89-87 =
B+ 85-86 = B 84-80= B- 69-65 = D
79-77 =
C+ 76-75 = C 70-74=C- 64
and below = F
Course Policies:
This is not a “Warm Body” class – one of
those classes which you attend half conscious, take the occasional note and
leave after fifty minutes. Because we’ll be trying to do too much in too little
time, we’ll need to divide the workload equally; every student will be
responsible for more than simply his or her own success or failure. If you, for whatever reason, aren’t prepared
or able to be an active, responsible member of this learning community, another
class may more suit your expectations. What follows are our course policies.
While they seem somewhat rigid and
daunting, they soon fade to the background while making your work easier. These
policies serve to keep all involved on task, on schedule, and attempt to keep
loss and related neurosis to a minimum.
Attendance:
Attendance is mandatory. There is no such
thing as an excused absence
Also
note: Late arrivals make me very cranky! Please be on time.
Attendance Grid:
0-2=A; 3=B; 4 =C; 5=D; 6+ = F (And you
will fail)
Participation: See Participation Rubric. You will receive
points at the end of each module for your active participation; therefore,
speak up, come to class with all of your materials, and have your homework or
reading completed. Don’t lose points by rudely yawning, goofing off, chatting with
our friend, text messaging, listening to your iPod, or refusing to be on task.
It is important for you to be present on the days of group collaborations
because your classmates are counting on your input. You will not receive points
on assignments that day if you are not present.
I will ask you to leave the class if:
1) you’re fidgeting with any electronic gadget. Please take out iPod earphones
and silence your phone BEFORE class, 2) you are surfing the web or being off
task in class, 3) you are sleeping, 4) you are disruptive or disrespectful to
me and/or the class, and finally, 5) you are unprepared for class.
Reading: Let’s be clear: You need to purchase the book
and you need to read if you want to complete the assignments and pass this
class. Please have all assigned reading completed on the dates noted on the
calendar, and have it read before the class meets. Okay, to ensure that you are reading the assigned
module essays, there will be a pop reading quiz. This is a closed book, closed
notes quiz. If you’ve done your reading, you should be able to pass the quiz.
There will no trick questions. You cannot make this up. Along with this, class
discussions will be based primarily on essays you are reading, so be prepared
to participate by understanding the information in the assigned reading.
Through discussion, we will learn and strengthen writing skills and their
practical applications in essay assignments.
Collaboration:
You will be expected to
work in groups either in discussions or on in-class activities. As
professionals, you will be frequently working in collaboration with your
peers/colleagues. Remember, group work is vital not only for your grade, but to
your peers as well.
Essays:
You will write 3 short essays plus a fully documented 8-10 page
research paper in this class. Papers containing basic writing errors
(fragments, run-ons, punctuation problems, language problems which interfere
with readability) will be returned ungraded/unacceptable. We will spend
extensive time in class on the structure, logical organization and development
of your papers. Basic writing problems need to be addressed prior to
submitting all assignments
Use the following “MLA Guidelines” for typing all
assignments:
o Your Name
o Course: English 101 & Section # of Class
o Instructor’s Name: Paula
Sebastian
o Date the paper is
submitted
o Creative title for
essay, followed by an explanatory title:
Designer Genes: An analysis of the role
of genetic engineering
Plagiarism: Just don’t do it. All papers will be evaluated through Turn-It
In for ‘borrowed’ content. If you have any questions about correct citation
methods, or how to safely cite from various sources, it is imperative you ask
me for help. Don’t cheat, plagiarize, or perform any other misconduct or
serious consequences may follow, including receiving a “0/F” for the assignment
or an “F” final grade. Also, there will be a report of the incident filed in
the Dean of Students’ Office.
Respect: Any comments, jokes,
or remarks that belittle the worth of an individual’s (or group’s) physical
attributes, race, creed, sexual preference, religion, gender, and/or ethnicity
are inappropriate and will not be tolerated. If our behavior inhibits the
class’s learning and education, you will be asked to leave, and may be
directed/reported to the Associate Dean of students and/or Campus Security.
Expectations: I expect common
courtesy from you: saying please and thank you, no talking back, no chatting
during lectures/discussion, no text messaging, no falling asleep in class, no
yawning loudly, or no acting like a spoiled child. You will work and earn your
grade. Finally, please silence your cell phones or beepers as they are
distracting, disruptive, and annoying.
Be warned: I will ask you to leave the class or report you to the proper
authorities should disruptive situations arise. Please refer to the Arts
and Humanities Web page for Student Expectations, which apply to all of my
classes.
Office
Hours –
If you have questions or concerns about your assignments, readings, or grade in
the class, please see me during office hours or make an appointment with me so
I can set specific time aside for you. If you need to chat about your topic,
please come and see me! My office is located in R230K
Do your work, read, and participate in class discussions. Need more
assistance?
Values Conflicts:
Essential to a liberal arts education is an
open-minded tolerance for ideas and modes of expression that might conflict
with one’s personal values. By being exposed to such ideas or
expressions, students are not expected to endorse or adopt them but rather to
understand that they are part of the free flow of information up upon which
higher education depends.
To this end, you may find that class requirements may include engaging certain
materials, such as books, films, and art work, which may, in whole or in part,
offend you. These materials are equivalent to required texts and are
essential to the course content. If you decline to engage the required
material by not reading, viewing, or performing material you consider
offensive, you will still be required to meet class requirements in order to
earn credit. This may require responding to the content of the material,
and you may not be able to fully participate in required class discussions,
exams, or assignments.
Participation Rubric
|
OUTSTANDING “A” level |
STRONG “B” level |
ADEQUATE “C” level |
POOR “D” & “F” level
|
PREPARATION FOR CLASS |
You bring all your
materials. You’re ready to work once the class starts. |
You usually bring
all materials. You are ready to work once class starts. |
You frequently
“forget” to bring required materials to class; haven’t bought the book; often
not ready to begin when class starts. |
You frequently ask
to borrow materials from classmates. You are rarely ready to start when class
starts. Maybe you walk in late? |
FREQUENCY OF PARTICIPATION |
Your hand is almost
always raised during class discussions. |
Your hand is often
raises during class discussions. |
Your hand is seldom
raised. |
You do not
volunteer to contribute to class discussions. |
QUALITY OF PARTICIPATION |
Students who fall
into this category offer thoughtful and critical commentary and analysis. You raise
questions, explore difficult concepts, theories, and refer back to the text .You also do not pose as a
disruption/distraction to the class (unnecessary, inappropriate comments) |
Students who fall
into this category participate but as a whole, responses tend to be general,
may go off topic, and may not engage/connect/refer back to or with the text. Your comments may be unnecessary, inappropriate. |
Students who fall
into this category tend to come to class and pay attention, but they rarely
participate. When you do, it is
more likely than not to simply echo someone else’s opinion and/or “easy”
questions. Your comments are unnecessary, inappropriate. |
Students who fall
into this category either don’t come to class, don’t contribute at all to the
discussion, fall asleep, are caught texting, tweeting, and/or completing
assignments for other classes. You also appear
unengaged in class discussion. Your comments are inappropriate and may be asked to
leave the class. |
GROUP WORK |
You are
always on task and a leading and/or equal partner during pair and group
activities. Your peers would likely describe you as enthusiastic, helpful,
critical, and an actively engaged team member. |
You
complete group activities and pair activities. You are an equal partner for
the most part but are less helpful and/or actively engaged than someone in
the “Outstanding” category. |
You
sometimes need to be reminded to stay on task during group or pair activities
OR you carelessly rush through activities. |
You give
very little effort during pair and group activities and are often off task.
You appear disinterested, disengaged and you bring down the morale of your
group. (Sitting like a lump) |
LISTENING |
You actively listen
when the instructor and your fellow students speak during class. |
You listen when the
instructor and your fellow students speak in class but you may appear
distracted at times. |
You sometimes
listen when the instructor and your fellow students speak in class. At times,
you may be seen texting, tweeting, completing assignments for other courses,
talking to your friends during class discussions. |
You “tune” out and
sit like a lump when the instructor and fellow students begin speaking in
class. Rather than listen, you are openly disengaged and can almost always be
found texting, sleeping, completing homework for other classes, etc. |
Outcomes:
At the end of this
course, the student will be able to write a humanities-style research paper
that includes as part of its composition or process
·
An
objective summary of college-level material which identifies primary and
supporting assumptions
·
An
evaluation of different types of evidence (i.e. tone/diction, logical
reasoning)
·
A
synthesis of source writing with own writing
·
An
original and clearly supported thesis
·
Proper
in-text citations and works-cited page
·
A
breadth of varied primary sources which demonstrates a familiarity with library
research skills