Course Format and Requirements
The format of this course is a seminar, and therefore carries with it certain opportunities and obligations. Although we will periodically have lectures, guest lectures, and films, the in-class portions of this course are organized primarily around discussion of the readings and the broader themes raised by course materials. Therefore, it is essential that each of you comes to class prepared - this means having done the assigned readings before every class session and considered the issues you would like to contribute to discussion. Needless to say, attendance is mandatory at all course activities, and the only excused absences are for family or health emergencies (with proof).
You will be graded on the following:
Class Attendance and Participation 15%
Syndicate Assignments 20%
Discipline Research Memo 25%
Research Paper 40%
I will randomly assign you to a syndicate during the first class. Each syndicate will be required to facilitate a class discussion once during the semester. This entails summarizing the material in the readings, explaining what each of you found interesting and/or difficult about the material, and raising questions for discussion. This will also involve a brief writing assignment in which each member of the syndicate will write 3 pages summarizing the main points of that particular week's reading and/or class discussion. This writing assignment will be due the week after the syndicate presentation.
You will undertake an introductory analysis of an academic discipline and produce a 5-page research memorandum on that discipline. It is up to you what you write about - you are not required to work on your major discipline if something else interests you. This assignment will require you to conduct at least two interviews with people in that discipline, most likely faculty members here at UVM. The purpose of these interviews is to become generally aware of the current state of the discipline, the major theoretical or methodological controversies at the present time, and the likely directions that discipline might take in the next generation. You should also ask your interviewees to suggest two or three pieces of literature that would constitute required reading for someone like yourself learning about the discipline. The memo you produce should summarize the content of these interviews, and raise and reflect on questions and ideas that occur to you as a result of the interviews. I would also like to you read and include in your memo at least one of those pieces of literature. It will be due in class October 31. Please make enough copies of this memo for myself and all the other members of the seminar.
The final course assignment is a 10-12 page research paper on a topic of your choice. There will be several steps involved in producing this essay:
You should work steadily on this research throughout the semester. We will discuss the requirements and subtleties of each step throughout the semester. The Honors Program has a special relationship with Bailey-Howe reference librarian Patricia Mardeusz. She is available to meet with you individually to help you with the research process (pmardeus@zoo.uvm.edu).
Policies on writing papers:
In these days of computer-mediated writing, there are no excuses for the two following problems: 1) late papers due to 'computer crashes,' and 2) poor spelling. Regarding the former, claiming a 'computer crash' is the basically the same as telling me that your dog ate your homework. This is not a valid excuse if you are backing up your materials on diskettes or the UVM mainframe. If indeed this has happened, I expect you to provide a note from a computer specialist explaining the problem; otherwise your late paper will be evaluated in terms of my late paper policy. Regarding the latter problem, use your spellcheck option and proofread - I will mark you down for poor spelling and grammar.
My policy on late papers is that I do not accept them, although I will make an exception if you are willing to receive a lower grade. For every 24 hour period your paper is late, you drop a full grade from the grade I feel your paper would receive if it were not late. For example, if your 'A' paper is not turned in when it is due, you will receive a 'B' if it is turned in within the next 24 hours. The next day, your grade drops to a 'C.' The day after that, it is a 'D.' If you turn in a paper late and expect to receive a non-reduced grade, you must provide evidence of an emergency.
If you have not already, you should familiarize yourself with the UVM Writing Center. Tutors will not write or edit your papers for you. However, they will offer advice on developing ideas, finding a thesis, seeing a draft from a readeršs point of view, strengthening an argument, and advise on style and correctness. It is located in Room 244 Commons of Living/Learning, and their phone is 656-4075.