Course+Syllabus

=**College Research Skills: Going Beyond Google**=


 * //Please note//**: This syllabus is subject to change. I will announce any changes in class. Students are responsible for staying informed of the changes.


 * Course Description**

In this class we will explore issues of how to do effective research in both print and online, and to do a research paper. We will be using traditional library resources, such as books, as well as online subscription databases, the surface Web and the Deep Web. You will learn to do both basic and advanced searching in Google, as well as the difference between keywords and controlled vocabulary, i.e., subject headings. You will investigate where information comes from and how it is organized. We will examine the ethics of information use and determine how to critically evaluate sources, including Internet sources. Throughout the class, you will create and present research and documentation projects using traditional and emerging media and technologies. This is a **reading/writing/research-intensive** course. You should expect to spend 3-4 hours outside of class time preparing for class each week.


 * Course Objectives**


 * Understand the elements of the research process
 * Define the nature and extent of an information need - in other words, be able to define your task
 * Formulate an appropriate search strategy for finding information
 * Identify and use a variety of types and formats of information sources
 * Use basic and advanced search techniques in Google and in databases
 * Understand subject and keyword searching
 * Be able to use a variety of online subscription databases
 * Locate relevant Web resources
 * Learn and understand how to evaluate Web resources
 * Critically evaluate and analyze information
 * Identify the elements of various types of citations
 * Cite sources using standard scholarly formats
 * Learn to write an 8-12 page research paper


 * Course Policies**


 * Contacting the teacher:** Please speak with me if there is anything you find unclear about the assignments, or if you have concerns about your work in the class. Emailing me through Engrade is the best way to contact me – I will respond within 48 hours (and usually sooner).
 * Attendance:** You are expected to attend every class. Absences will lower your grade in this class.
 * Lateness:** Please be on time for class. Late students may miss important course material and can be disruptive to the rest of the class. Excessive lateness will lower your grade in this course.
 * Deadlines:** All assignments are due on the dates specified. Failure to submit work on time will result in a lower grade for the assignment.
 * Plagiarism:** All assignments and work in this course must be your own, and you must give proper credit to any information or ideas that are the work of others. No credit will be given for plagiarized work.
 * Blog:** Short blog posts are required throughout the course. I will provide the blog writing prompts.

Each student will keep a semi-weekly blog. I am very interested in learning about what you personally take away from this class, and I expect you to mindfully participate in all exercises and assignments while sharing your personal thoughts and experiences on the subject matter in your blogs. Blog posts will be reviewed semi-weekly.


 * Research topic proposal:** In consultation with the teacher, choose a research topic relevant to the class and write a 100 word proposal. You will use this research topic for your annotated bibliography and research paper.


 * Annotated bibliography:** Select a minimum of 5 sources in a variety of media formats on your research topic and create an annotated bibliography (100 words minimum per source).


 * Research paper outline:** Organize the main ideas that you will discuss in your research paper and show the relationships among the ideas you write about. A well-organized outline makes the writing process simpler and more straightforward.


 * Research paper:** Write a research paper on your approved topic. Papers must be 8-12 pages in length (not including illustrations or Works Cited), typed, double-spaced. You are required to submit at least one draft of your paper which must be revised before submitting the final version.


 * How you will be graded:**

Classwork - 25% Homework - 25% Quizzes - 25% Attendance - 25%

=**Course Outline**=


 * Weeks 1 - 3: Research and the Rhetorical Situation**

Recognizing Research Contexts Identifying Research Purposes Considering Elements of the Rhetorical Situation Understanding Disciplinary Approaches Entering a Conversation


 * Writing Assignments:**

How have you conducted research before? How do research processes compare? How do rhetorical situations compare?


 * Weeks 4 - 6: Research and Writing Processes**

Myths about Writing and Research Processes Elements of Writing Processes Introduction to Research Processes


 * Writing Assignment:**

How do you write best?


 * Weeks 7 - 9: Identifying a Topic**

Analyzing the Writing Situation Generating Topics Exploring and Narrowing a Potential Topic Developing a Research Question Situating the Writer in the Research Discovering Your Knowledge of Your Topic


 * Writing Assignments:**

Analyze the rhetorical situation Find out what’s important to you Generate topic ideas Consider audience and purpose How can I make a topic manageable? Focus your research topic Write a research question What is the writer’s place in the rhetorical situation? Take an inventory of what you already know


 * Weeks 10 - 12: Finding Resources through Secondary Research**

Conducting Research Locating Resources Types of Resources Static Resources Syndicated Resources Dynamic Resources Developing a Research Plan


 * Writing Assignments:**

Should you conduct primary or secondary research? Develop a list of search terms Searching the library catalog (Destiny, Bibliocommons, and WorldCat) Searching for resources in periodicals Searching for a variety of resources What’s your research plan?


 * Weeks 13 - 15: Conducting Primary Research**

Types of Primary Research Observations Interviews Surveys Ethical Considerations Interpretation of Data


 * Writing Assignments:**

Draft interview questions Draft survey questions Is your survey valid and reliable? What does your research plan look like now?


 * Weeks 16 - 18: Rhetorical Reading, Tracking, and Evaluating Resources**

Rhetorical Reading Considering Context Annotating Resources Summarizing Paraphrasing Selecting Potential Quotations Tracking and Evaluating Data


 * Writing Assignments:**

Is your reading focused or rhetorical? Choose resources to read Situate a resource rhetorically Annotate a resource Summarize one of your resources Paraphrase one of your resources Take detailed notes on a resource Track bibliographic information Evaluate validity Trace a line of research


 * Weeks 19 - 21: Understanding Plagiarism and Integrating Resources**

Copyright Plagiarism Integration of Resources into Your Argument Avoiding Common Documentation Pitfalls


 * Writing Assignments:**

Introduce secondary resources Practice in-text citations


 * Weeks 22 - 24: Developing an Argument**

Reporting versus Arguing Responding to the Research Question Developing a Thesis Supporting an Argument Providing Counterarguments


 * Writing Assignments:**

Is it reporting or arguing? Define the rhetorical situation Draft a thesis statement Develop your authorial ethos Develop emotional arguments Understand your warrants Develop counterarguments Construct an argument


 * Weeks 25 - 27: Selecting and Integrating Evidence**

Developing Project-Specific Evaluation Criteria Matching Reasons with Evidence


 * Writing Assignments**

Are you addressing your audience’s wants and needs? Develop evaluative criteria Evaluate types of resources Find additional resources


 * Weeks 28 - 31: Sharing the Results**

Arrangement of Your Argument Introductions and Conclusions Putting Everything Together


 * Writing Assignments:**

Develop an outline Are you grabbing your audience’s attention and motivating them to action? Draft an effective introduction Develop closure Identify possible frames Draft your final argument


 * Weeks 32 - 35: MLA Formatting Guidelines**

In-Text Citations Full Bibliographic Citations Paper Formatting