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Homework
m/w/f class
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Homework: T/Th Class | RESEARCH HELP LINKS | Linked Readings |
T/Th 11:30-12:50 IC 1055 / SRC 3679 (computer lab--most Thursdays)
instructor: Tammie Bob e-mail: bobtam@cdnet.cod.ed
Phone: 942-3327
website: www.cod.edu/people/faculty/bobtam/website/index.htm
Office: ic3129b
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Are you confused, unconfident, or just in need of discussing some aspect of a class or assignment? I am always happy to talk to you. Call, e-mail, stop by during my office hours or make an appointment if they're not convenient. You should never suffer or lose sleep because of this class! |
Spring Office Hours
Course Materials
TEXTBOOK: The Curious Reader. Ballenger, Payne
*To foster knowledge about our society and culture and its values and beliefs.
*To introduce a mode of inquiry that cultivates connections between art and life
*To develop skills in analysis, synthesis, and the construction of a position.
*To equip students with basic skills for doing formal research.
*To enhance students’ understanding of new information technologies and the range of resources accessible to them via the Internet, as well as other media.
*To develop and refine skills in written and oral communication.
English 103 consists of the following activities:
readings/viewings, class discussions, short assignments, class participation,
conferences, projects/presentations.
I expect students to share responsibility for stimulating discussions and presenting the results of their research and thinking. For much of the quarter, we will discuss a common set of readings and viewings in order to build our understanding of historical and contemporary issues relating to American culture.
These readings/viewings are selected to provide students with a background of knowledge to support their research projects.
Readings/Viewings: These are our common ground. The success (and everyone's enjoyment) of our discussions will depend on your willingness to complete the reading and viewing assignments on time. Please read actively: record your impressions , mark interesting or irritating passages; engage with the authors and come to class ready to contribute at least one good idea about their work and the issues they raise.
Class Discussions:. During class we will learn the skills needed to complete a particular assignment. Students will be reporting the results of projects, discussing readings/viewings, and trying to formulate questions and answers that will help understand better the American suburban culture in its many dimensions.
You play a large role in shaping the quality of our class time. Consider your background, experiences, and knowledge a cache of resources from which we can all draw and learn.
Short Assignments: There will be several short assignments over the quarter in addition to the projects These may be quizzes or short writing opportunities designed to assist you in digesting material and formulating positions on issues. Some will be homework assignments created to get you to practice skills. These are an important part of the active learning design of the course. You are required to summarize and comment upon, in writing, every reading assignment.
Research Projects: This course requires you to complete three projects devised to provide opportunities for more intense thought and research on a variety of issues.
Grades will be calculated as follows:
First project: ( researching a
Harper's Indexstatistic)25%
Second Project: analyzing an artifact 25%
Final research project: (a paper demonstrating mastery of synthesizing research
to support a thesis) 35%
Attendance and participation: 10%
Written responses to assigned readings and other short assignments: 5%
I.
Your first assignment will be to
work with a listing from the Harper's Index. You will need to check
the source of the statistic, whether you think it is being manipulated and why,
and determine a context to understand the current relevance of the topic.. What
are the historical, cultural, economic and/or scientific circumstances that
inspired the listing in Harper's Index, and how do you think the listing should
be understood? What implications or bearings does the situation have for our
times? What are some of the results or consequences of this situation in the
world today? How do you relate to this subject? (That is, do you have any
opinions as a result of your research?)
You will need to
write a paper that explains the topic, analyzes information about it and
develops an understanding of the issue.
II. For the second project, we will analyze an artifact or group of related artifacts for what it can tell us about our social structure. Students will describe and evaluate the history, form, materials, construction, and function(s) of artifacts, and to study them in their original and contemporary contexts for what they reveal about the people who used them then and now. The results may be written as a paper or constructed as web sites.
III. Finally, students will produce a researched paper on a subject directly or tangentially related to our readings. It’s important to choose an area that interests you, about which you have ideas and opinions. It may grow out of your earlier projects, if you like. A good research paper does not merely report; it explains causes/ effects, or identifies or explains a trend or phenomenon, or it evaluates/critiques, or recommends, or categorizes, or in some way interprets the results of the research.
Failure to proofread and spell check projects will cause me to become irrational and possibly hysterical.
Short assignments, including notes on readings 5%
Project I 25%
Project II 25%
Project III 35%
Please note: It is my ambition, at some point in my career, to be able to give A’s to an entire class. Strive to make it your class!
Late work may receive a lower grade. It is the student's responsibility to get projects completed and in on time. Be sure to give yourself adequate time to overcome unforeseen technical problems (broken printers, faulty internet connections, etc.)
Code of Academic Integrity: I expect all students to abide by COD’s plagiarism policy which is stated in the Student Handbook. I will not tolerate academic dishonesty (cheating, fabrication, facilitating academic dishonesty, and plagiarism.) And yes, I will catch you, and make your life unnecessarily miserable.