Grading: Grades will be based on the following three factors: Weekly written assignments (20%), class participation (20%), and research paper (60%). All students should plan to meet with me at least once during the course to discuss research paper topics. Additional meetings are optional, but encouraged.
(1) Weekly written assignments .By 4:00 p.m. on the Monday afternoon before each class (beginning with the third week), you must turn in a brief set of questions or commentaries raised by the week’s readings. Although clarification questions are permissible, at least one question must examine strengths and/or weaknesses of the readings, or possible future research approaches. Ideally, you will discuss broader issues raised throughout the readings rather than address a single point from one paper. Note that you should not just submit a list of questions; discuss solutions to problems that you raise.
You should try to do this in one page or less. This assignment has two purposes. First, it will motivate you to critically examine the readings, and second, we will use the questions as a springboard for class discussions. Please submit your writing assignment to the course bulletin board (see instructions ). For guidelines on preparing your comments, see this page.
You do not need to submit a commentary the weeks you are a scheduled discussant.
(2) Class participation . Everyone is expected to come to class prepared to discuss the assigned articles and to contribute to the group learning process. The weekly assignments are designed to help you prepare for this aspect of the class. In addition, one or two students will help lead the discussion each week (students will be assigned topics at the beginning of the semester).
(3) Research paper . This should take the form of a critical review paper. Although you can discuss your paper with me anytime during the semester, you should meet with me once, at least three weeks prior to the due date, before choosing a topic. Your paper should be based not only on the assigned readings, but also on the suggested readings and a set of additional readings to be agreed upon during this research meeting. Because this is a critical review paper, important criteria for grading will be evidence that you are not simply outlining or regurgitating the readings, but are attempting to synthesize them, organize them around a theoretical perspective, point out areas of controversy and most importantly, suggest a novel perspective or avenue for future research. There is no explicit page limit, but you will probably need 10 to 20 pages (double-spaced). For guidelines on structuring your paper and finding additional sources, see this page. I strongly recommend that you begin research on your topic fairly early in the semester so that you can develop and reflect on your ideas throughout the class. Papers are due by 5:00 p.m. on the Tuesday after the final week of classes (12/11/2001) . Please put a hard copy in my mailbox.
Optional: At least 2 weeks prior to the due date, you may give me a draft of your paper. This draft will not be graded. But I will give you feedback to guide you in preparing your final draft. Please do not give me really rough drafts. While I won't be expecting a polished paper, you should give me a complete, spell-checked draft.