Syllabus for
Section
1
Mon./ Wed./Fri of Spring 2003
9:10-10:10
Instructor: Dr. Anderson M.
Rearick III
Office Hours:
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 1:50- 4:00
and on Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:00 - 10:15 and 2:00
to 4:00
(Please note that in foul weather Prof. Rearick must catch the 4:00
MOTA bus)
Office Location: Founders Hall, Room
214
(Within 219: Lit., Lang., & Comm. Dept.)
Office Ext. 3508
Home Phone 392-3738
(but please do not
call after 8:00--Andy and Laura are hopefully in Bed)
email: anderson.rearick@mvnc.edu
(Checked Daily, Morning and Evening)
Note: Please Make a Daily Habit of Checking
Your E-Mail for Messages Concerning This Class
"Whatsoever Ye Do, Do All to the
Glory of God"
1 Corinthians 10:31
Please Note:
What you hold is a hard copy of a web document accessible by any computer
with internet access. The index units below, showing this document's parts,
are not only a sort of organizing table of contents but are on the web
links to the indicated parts of this syllabus. While the basic plan
of this class is established, fine tuning as well as added resources may
not be included in this printed version. I will announce alterations to the
syllabus in class. Still, student are encouraged to check the
actual web site regularly. |
Course Index:
The purpose: The purpose of ENG
1053G,
Research Writing [3], is
to teach students the skills they need to conduct research for future college
courses. Instead of learning a specific body of knowledge, students will
learn
how to research by completing a variety of short exercises,
passing in a short report, a literary paper, an oral presentation, a research
proposal, and a research paper involving a more open topic than those of
earlier assignments but still one which argues towards a provable point.
The course will emphasize research techniques, research paper
format and research writing. Special emphasis is given to library use, note-taking,
summarizing, synthesizing, outlining, citing and documenting, and writing
problems unique to drafting and revising longer papers. Prerequisite: ENG143G,
and OAD131G or word processing proficiency. The course is required in the
semester immediately following completion of ENG143G" (2002-2003 MVNU Catalog
152).
Objectives: Upon the completion
of this course the student will learn. . .
- Methods of research techniques
- library usage,
- note taking,
- summarizing,
- synthesizing,
- organization,
- and how to deal with writing problems unique to drafting and revising
extensive academic papers.
- Research Paper Form
- outlining,
- citing effectively and in MLA form
- and documentation in MLA form.
Power Point Available
Texts
- Dees, Robert, Writing and Modern Research Paper. 4th.
Ed. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn and Bacon, 2003
- Di Yonni & Hoy The Scribner Handbook for Writers 3nd.
Ed
- Dickens,
Charles Oliver
Twist Norton Critical Edition 1st Ed [On
Line Text]
- MLA Handbook is not required but might be useful.
Look for it at Kenyon. Also follow these three links for further MLA information:
How I Grade
- 91 to 100 is an "A" Exceptional! A cut above--unusually good.
- 81 to 90 is a "B" Well Done! A fine Job! (Note: a 90
is still a B)
- 71 to 80 is a "C" Good, a concrete understanding of the subject
- 60 to 70 is a "D" Passing but weak
- 59 and below is an "F" Fell short of required understanding
of material
Grading:
- 5%
Quickie Report: Due Feb. 26th
or March 4th.(Adjusted for Snow Day)
- 10% Tests::
At least four (Feb. 21st, March 7th, April
11th , and May 16th) but more may be given
as needed.
- 10% Midterm
Exam March 19th
- 10% Exercises:
- Biblical
truth with citation: due Feb. 10th
- Opinion
Paragraph due Feb. 14th
- Class
Reports on Oliver Twist criticism due April 3rd,
5th & 7th
- Subject
and Topic with Source of Subject Headings for final paper due
April 11th
- Annotated
Bibliography for final paper due April 19th
- Research
Question for final due April 21st
- 10% Research
Proposal for final paper Due April 28th.
- 25% Literary
paper Due March 10th or 19th
- 30% Research
paper Due on May 7th or 19th
100%
Tests
will be given throughout the semester (Feb. 21st,
March 7th, April 11th, and May 16th)
and will be on the assigned readings and class discussions. Make-ups will
not be given unless the absence is related to a provable emergency of some sort
or is caused by approved school activities. All students involved in official
activities of the school who will miss test days should speak to me ahead
of time so that some adjustment may be made.
Exams
The Midterm is set for Wednesday March 19th. Your final paper will
also be your final exam.
Exercises
will be done both during class, at the library, and out of class. Once again,
make-ups will not be given unless the absence is related to an emergency of
some sort or is caused by school activities. All students involved in
official activities of the school who will miss library work should speak to
me ahead of time so that some adjustment may be made.
NOTE:
All assignments described from this point on MUST
BE TYPED, be in MLA Format
and must be done in 14 Font. (This
is larger than standard font that is 12, so you will have to alter the set up
when you work with the computer. There will be NO EXCEPTIONS.
If an assignment is handed in which does not meet these
requirements it will be returned without being graded and will be marked down
when it is handed is as LATE. See
Scribner Handbook on page 741 for examples of MLA layout.
The Quickie Report
(Due Feb. 26th
or March 4th [Adjusted for Snow
Day])
is an exercise in which you choose an article from a respectable news
magazine (such as
US News and World Report,
Time,
Newsweek
or the
Christian Science Monitor) published in 2002 or 2003 and
report
on the article's contents. The original article must be at least one
entire page in length.
All citations in your report will be done in MLA format,
and you must have a copy of the article to hand in with your report.
Furthermore at this point online citations have not been
covered, so do NOT draw from an online magazine source. Such sources
have their own unique challenges. I repeat NO ONLINE SOURCES for this assignment.
Remember, you are functioning as if you were a news reporter--meaning
no opinions and no angles except those found in your source. The emphasis
of your report will be primarily on the text and secondly on the matter
it is describing.
This exercise is meant to help the student sharpen his or her
skills in direct quotations, paraphrasing and summarizing raw information
from a chosen source. Also correct MLA format must be observed. Due Feb.
26th
or March 4th.
Be sure while citing from your article (in MLA forms) that you do so not
haphazardly but for critical passages needed to clarify or authenticate important
points in your report. This assignment will also be graded on your writing
skills, clear thesis, organization, smooth transitions, and functional mechanics
(grammar and spelling). Like the research paper and prepared proposal,
it
must be typed (14 font).
The Literary Paper will be based
on Dickens's novel The Oliver Twist. Unlike the report, conclusions
beyond what is read are expected. This work must be typed neatly in 14 font,
with eight (8) double-spaced pages with standard margin, including at least
a two-level outline and a list of Works Cited (that means they are actually
quoted or paraphrased from--no sources articles just glanced at). The entire
paper will be composed in standard MLA format (no exceptions), as described
in the text and with other instructions from me. Your paper must contain
at least ten (10) citations (quotations and paraphrases) selected from at
least three (3) different sources. The conclusion should be supported by
the primary text as well as by articles included in the back of your Norton
Critical Edition. No outside research will be required. However, for
students who are interested Bedford Books Case Studies of Contemporary
Criticism of Oliver Twist will be placed on reserve in the library.
Due March 10th or 19th.
Sample
Works Cited List in Windows format, using works from the Norton edition of
Oliver Twist
An Oral Presentation
All students in class will be assigned to a team which will have the task
of reading a critical article found in the Norton Critical Edition of
The
Oliver Twist and presenting a REPORT on that article's contents.
A report means that the students do not need to give their perspective on
the material but should express the author's ideas in a clear and engaging
manner. Power point is encouraged but not required.
- Each group will have no more than 15 minutes to present their material.
Some of this may be used in class discussion.
- Each group will hand in on the day of their presentation a two level
(at least) outline of the material they are presenting.
- One grade will be given for each group. Students are encouraged
to work closely together.
- April 3rd, 5th & 7th
A research proposal is required
that will preview your final paper. It consists of three parts
(and it needs to be typed):
1. A one-page (min.) summary of the major points you intend to
develop, the argument you wish to make, and the conclusions at which you
intend to arrive.
2. A tentative outline of two levels (at this stage) and a complete-sentence thesis statement.
3. A working bibliography of more than 10 sources, annotated with
a brief statement concerning the author's central point. It will be understood
that this proposal is tentative; you may change your thesis or your outline,
and you may add more sources. Still, the proposal should serve as a general
guide for you and for me to come to an understanding of your research paper
while it is in the process stage.
4. Due April 28th.
The Personal Interview
It is my intention to personally meet with every research
paper student this semester. Towards the end of the semester, just
after you have handed in your research proposal, you will meet with me at
our classroom (or if you choose a Tuesday / Thursday meeting then my office)
for about 20 minutes. During that time you should receive back both
your literary paper and your research proposal. Begins April 28 and goes through
May 16.
The Purpose: The purpose
of this meeting is to touch base with individuals. The interview has
proven invaluable in clearing up lingering questions about form as well as
allowing me a chance to gain a first hand view of where you, the author,
is hoping to go with your research.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The Final Paper is due on Friday May 7th
or Monday, May 19th
The final paper must . . .
- have a title page (Scribner 744) a thesis and a three-level
outline (Scribner 746). Remember that these pages are numbered
with your last name and Roman Numerals (i, ii, iii, iv).
Note: Roman numerals are in lower case.
- be typed neatly and be at least sixteen (16)
double-spaced pages and no more than about twenty two (22) pages with standard
margin and text in 14 font. These pages are the actual text and
do not include those pages described above. In fact, to make the difference
clear, the actual text is numbered with your last name an Arabian Numerals
(1,2,3,4).
- have at the end, starting on a new page, entitled Works Cited
Page, a list of works from which you quoted or paraphrased material
(that means all works in the list are actually cited--and does not include
works just glanced at).
- be composed in standard MLA format (no exceptions),
as described in the text and with other instructions from me. Your paper must
contain at least twenty (20) citations (quotations and paraphrases) selected
from at least (10) different sources. Please note that only a third of them
should come from the internet. (Why? Click Here)
You must use a variety of material for your paper (Journals as well as books)
and these should be only the best authorities. (For example, Reader's
Digest is not an acceptable authority.; The New England Journal of
Medicine is.) Unless approved by me, web resources should be kept
at a minimum of about three sources.
- have included with it a photo copy of one important
citation source.
For the final paper topics are open, because finding your area
of interest independently is an essential part of the research process.
However, the paper must be
argumentative--information must
be given for a purpose. The following restrictions apply:
-
Your paper must be original;
that is, not have been used previously for another course or concurrently
with one this semester.
-
Suggestions on the type of
topic best suited for this paper:
a. The subject of your paper will be easier if it falls within
the general area of the humanities. This includes literature, drama, film,
art, music, history (but not theory--too technical), philosophy, religion
(but not theology, doctrine or praxis), and depending upon your focus some
topics within history and sociology.
b. Extremely current social issues and world affairs are not appropriate
because of the limited availability of sources.
c. Highly charged emotional subjects should also be avoided.
It is difficult for the most analytical of us to write logically about subjects
for which we feel deep passion. Also, in most cases when writing about a
subject about which the student feels strongly, usually that student already
has a set opinion about the topic and therefore has a hard time giving the
other side a fair chance to be represented. Plan to clear your topic with
me before you get seriously involved in your project.
d. A personal request: I ask
that students refrain from subjects which center on cruelty or harm to small
children. Having gone through six years of staying at various Children's
hospitals where I saw many precious ones die, I find such material too emotionally
charged for me to grade objectively.
e. I reserve the right to veto any topic that does not seem promising.
3. Since this is not a passable report on the materials
you will read but a creative act of using the acquired knowledge to present
your own original views, it is crucial to the success of the paper that
you choose a subject interesting to you.
4. Do not forget your audience. You are writing for an intelligent,
college-educated reader, someone with broad insights into world affairs,
the humanities, and natural sciences. Don't bore your reader with an overdose
topic.
5. Your final paper is your final exam. [Normally
your final would have occurred on Monday, May 19 at 8:00] Get it done early and it will be one less thing to plague you during that
"fun week" in May.
Attendance: You are expected to
attend all classes -- even when we are in the process of meeting one on
one. Three un-excused absences will mean three points off your final grade.
The pattern will continue if the absences continue.
Plagiarism: One of the goals of
this course is to be certain that students know how to avoid plagiarism. Therefore,
as mentioned above, you will be expected to turn in one major source (photocopies
of cited pages) along with your paper. (Carefully label the top of each
photocopied page with the author and page number of that particular source
and include them with your paper folder.) If you fail to submit one source,
I will consider your paper plagiarized, even if you document all your material.
Do not wait until the last minute to photocopy your sources, for they may
disappear. (Books may be checked out by others, and Journals may be sent
to the bindery or simply misplaced.) IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE
ALL OF THE MATERIALS NECESSARY FOR TURNING IN THE PAPER PROPERLY AND PUNCTUALLY.
Late papers: A penalty of three points will be subtracted
for each day your paper is late. No exceptions.
Towards the end of the semester, I intend to spend as much
time as possible in individual conferences with you, rather than meeting
every single class period as a group. I will give you an appointment schedule
as well as a class schedule, and you must stick to this as punctually as
to any formal class meeting. You will be penalized severely for missed or
late appointments.
Extra Help:
Academic support, located next to the Cougar den in the old
Home Economics building, has several tutors to assist students build their
study skills. Also on staff is Rebekah Radcliffe, an English tutor,
who will be available for consultations and will be running workshops to
aid in composition difficulties. The Extension for Academic Help is 4540.
There is absolutely no disgrace in getting still another reader for one's
work. Whenever I write I look for outside readers. Finally, while it's impossible
to promise that the student will receive an "A," going to see her is an superb
way to improve one's writing.
Class Calendar Spring
2003
Some General Academic Dates to Recall
Feb. 19 Student Assessment
Day/Faculty Development Day (Classes resume at 12:40 pm)
March 19 SIR (Student Instructor Review
March
24-28 Midterm Week Break
April
7 last day to drop class
April
18-21 Easter Weekend Break
May
1 Blue Green Day
May
12 Term Work Due
May
19-22 Final Exams
Text
Book Key
Dees -- Writing and Modern Research Paper by Robert Dees
SHW -- The Scribner Handbook for Writers
NOT --Norton Oliver Twist (Remember this text contains
a lot more than just the novel itself.)
Wed. Feb. 5- Friday Feb. 7
By the end
of this week you should have read pages 17 - 60
in the
actual Novel Oliver Twist
Feb. 5 Introduction -- What to Expect and When
to do it
Feb. 7
Power
Point presentation on Dees Chap. One (Older Version)
Feb. 10-14
By the end
of this week you should have read pages 60 - 120
in the
actual NOVEL Oliver Twist
Feb. 10
Biblical truth with citation due
Remember, all work handed in to me must be typed, in 14 font,
double spaced, and in MLA format. Check the back of your Scribner,
page 745, for an example of an MLA heading which does not require a title
page.
Give a truth you believe is soundly based and revealed in
the Bible: (Jesus Loves You, God Created the Whole Universe, or something
like such) and support it. The point is that you are not to prove this with scripture.
Instead you are to demonstrate with a legitimate written Christian authority
(commentary, study bible and so on) that the way you have been taught about
this truth is a legitimate scriptural interpretation. I am not expecting
more than a paragraph for this.
After you have quoted the source give me the following
- the source's author,
- what book or article the work was found in,
- city and publisher
- the work's date (only the year if it is a book), and
- the page number.
The citation is reaching for the MLA format. You can look up the
way to cite your source (found in
Scribner 704).
Click
Here for a Windows Version of this Biblical Truth Assignment
This exercise is meant to demonstrate to students that in academics--even
in subjects which they feel they know well--they must not interpret sources
on their own. Instead scholars must support themselves with recognized
authorities.
- SHW Chap. 1 pp. 2-12
- NOT pp. 370-374 "The Poor Law Debate (concluded" and "The Poor
Law Riots."
Feb. 12
- SHW Chap. 1 pp. 12-23
- NOT pp. 3-7 "Author's Preface"
Feb. 14
- Dees Chap. 3 "Planning the Focus of Your Research" pp. 30-46
Opinion Paragraph due
For the opinion paragraph all that is required is that the student
express an opinion about ANY subject. There should be a declarative
statement (like a thesis) and support. However this does not need to
be lengthy (about a page). Remember to hand this in in MLA format, typed
and in 14 font. Have some fun with this.
The Purpose of this task is to
emphasize the difference between facts and opinions, the need for sound
support of opinions, and the continued practice in MLA style.
Power
Point presentation on Dees Chap. Three
Power
Point presentation on Dees Chap. Three (Older Version)
Feb. 17-21
By the end
of this week you should have read pages 121- 180
in the
actual NOVEL Oliver Twist
Feb. 17
- Dees Chap. 3 "Planning the Focus of Your Research" pp. 29-54
- NOT pp. 421-426 "Oliver Twist" from The Immortal
Dickens by George Gissing
- How to Think Literary
Feb. 19
- 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.Student Assessment
Day/Faculty Development Day (Classes resume at 12:40 pm)
- Although no class take time to read Dees Chap. 7 "Reading and Recording
Information" pp. 141 -149
Feb. 21
Power Point of Dickens' Historical Surroundings (
Test # One
For next time
Feb. 24-28
By the end
of this week you should have read pages 181 - 240
in the
actual novel Oliver Twist
Feb. 24
Initial Quickie Report due date
- SHW Chap. 2 pp. 24-35
- NOT pp.433-448 "Oliver Twist" by J. Hillis Miller
Feb. 26
- SHW Chap. 44 pp. 665-678
- NOT pp.374-376 "Letters involving Oliver Twist"
Feb. 28
Final Quickie Report due
March. 3- 7
By the end
of this week you should have read pages 241 - 300
in the
actual story Oliver Twist
March 3
March 5
Power Point presentation on Dickens
March 7
Test
# Two
March. 10-14
By the end
of this week you should have read pages 301 - 360
in the
actual story Oliver Twist
March. 10
First due date for Literary paper
An
Windows document Demonstration of an outline for "The Oliver Twist" by
George Gissing, see MLA citation:
Gissing, George. "Oliver Twist."
Oliver Twist. by Charles Dickens. Ed.
Fred Kaplan. 1st
ed. New York: Norton, 1993.
421-426.
Literary
Paper Check List
Sample Works Cited List, in Windows format, using works from the Norton edition
of Oliver Twist
March. 12 Spring Revival Begins
March. 14 Spring
Revival Continues
March. 17-21
(Midterm break begins March. 21 at 5:10)
March. 17
March. 19 Midterm EXAM
Literary Paper final due date
March 21
-
Dees Chap. 2 pp. 15-28 "Using a Library for Research"
Power
Point presentation on Dees Chap. Two
Power
Point presentation on Dees Chap. Two (Old)
March 24-28
Midterm Break in Full Swing
Midterm grades are due in the Register's office on Tuesday,
March 25th
Pray for
your Prof. He will be in driving school is God allows!
April 1 - 5
March 31 Midterm
Beak Ends at 8: AM
(am:
as in morning! Back to Work!)
April 3
Click
Here to enter web page featuring the Oral Report Power Point presentations
of Fall 2000
Oliver Twist Criticism Class Reports
Oliver Twist Criticism Class Reports
- "Oliver Twist and Christian Scripture" by Janet Larson.
pp. 537-551
- "'The Old Story' and Inside Stories: Modish Fiction and Fictional
Modes in Oliver Twist" by Robert Tracy. pp. 457-473.
April 7-11
April 7
Oliver Twist Criticism Class Reports
- "Oliver Twist and the Police" by David Miller. pp. 580-593
- "The Purloined Handkerchief" by John O. Jordan pp.593-609.
April 9
Subject and Topic with source of Subject Headings
Follow
this link for a Windows document version of the assignment
on
Subject and Topic with source of
Subject Headings
Note: For space
concerns only applicable here, the document accessible above is not double
spaced but is set for "space and a half" (I wanted to fit it on a single
page). However, students should continue to obey the MLA standard of
double spacing. Also much more is included in the above document than
my assignment requires. All the student needs is the over-arching subject
of his topic. Additional info like sub topics or parallel topics (see
also) are elements which go beyond the requirement. Don't forget to
include your credible source, the best is the Subject Headings for the Library
of Congress or THE RED BOOKS in the library--There
are other sources which will also work BUT
DO NOT MAKE THIS UP!
Purpose: This exercise
is meant to help the student get a clearer sense of where in the vast tree
of human knowledge his or her topic is located. Students should come
out of this exercise with several headings under which they may look both
in library catalogues as well as periodical indexes.
Test
# Three
Week Eleven
April 14-18
April 14
April 16
- Dees Chap. 12 "Documenting Sources" pp. 247-288
April 18-- Good Friday (No Class)
Easter Weekend: He is
Risen!
Week
Twelve
April 21-25
Easter Weekend: He is Risen Indeed!
April 21 -- Easter Travel Day (No
Class)
April 23
Internet Access Workshop
Follow
this link to page of Search Engine Links for On Line Research
Research Question due
Follow this link for a Windows document version of the Research Question assignment.
Note: Once again please follow the standard MLA format described thus far and demonstrated in this handout. Of course this means it must be typed. However, very little needs to be done. Identify the exercise and give you research question. If should be framed in such a way that a complete answer will give a thesis.
Purpose: This exercise is meant to help the student differentiate between a research question and the answer which will become his or her paper's thesis.
April 28
Annotated Bibliography due
Follow
this link for a Windows document version of the assignment on
Annotated Bibliography (or an Annotated Works Cited) page.
Annotated Bibliography:
Note: Please follow
the standard MLA format described thus far and demonstrated in this handout.
Do not be surprised if this should run into several pages since there is
a great amount of space used in citation format. Also include the dead
end works, ones you have examined but found did not help you research.
I want to see that you have been doing research even if it has taken you
in a less than ideal direction. This annotation is NOT required for
the final paper.
Purpose: This exercise
is meant to help the student begin to get an overview of the basic themes
and problems in his or her research topic. Since these annotations
can and should at times include quotes and paraphrases, the exercise helps
strength the same skills the Quickie Report first developed. Finally
it is one bit of practice in the required MLA format.
April 29 Interviews Begin (Tuesday) _________________________
Note that interviews
on Tuesday and Thursday will be held in my office while interviews on Monday, Wednesday and Friday will be held
in class. Students wishing to hand in work early may should come to
class at the appointed time to drop off materials.
April 30
Follow
this link for a Windows document of what your cover and thesis & outline
pages should look like.
May 1 (Thursday) _________________________
._______________________
May 2 National Prayer Day
Research Proposal Due: Click here to review requirements
Follow
this link for a Windows document version of the Research Proposal assignment
Dees Chap. 9 "Reasoning Critically" pp. 179-19
Power
Point presentation on Dees Chap. Nine
May 5-9
May 5
1_______________________________________
2_______________________________________
3_______________________________________
May 6 (Tuesday) 4_________________________
5._______________________
May 7
Initial Due Date for Final Paper
6_______________________________________
7_______________________________________
8_______________________________________
May 8 (Thursday) 9______________________
10______________________
May 9 11_______________________________________
12_______________________________________
13_______________________________________
May 12-16
May 12
14_______________________________________
15_______________________________________
16_______________________________________
May 13 (Tuesday) 17______________________18_________________________
May 14 19_________________________________
20_______________________________________
21_______________________________________
May 15 (Thursday) 22_________________________
May 16 Test
Four on Dees Chapters
8, 9,11, 12 (All attend)
23_______________________________________
24_______________________________________
25_______________________________________
May 19
Final Due Date for Final Paper = Your Paper is Your
Final
Place in Box Outside Office
Have a Wonderful and Safe Summer!
This page last updated on
April 22, 2003
Syllabus Notes
Why only one third sources for the
final paper from the internet?
My reason for not wanting more than a third of your material
to come from the Internet is because I remember what it was like to be in
your shoes. As the semester draws to a climatic close there is great
pressure to cut as many corners as possible. Thus the great temptation
for students is to sit in front of a computer monitor and do all the research
from there whether the sources are the strongest or not. I want you
to obtain the best sources relevant to your topic and that means going to
the library. Please note this is not a law written in stone.
If the student finds a source beyond the third I allow and just feels it
must be included come to me and show me the working bibliography.
