Seminar Schedule for Semester 2

Seminar Schedule for Semester 2

FD10A SEMINAR SCHEDULE for SEMESTER TWO (2008)

SEMINAR
NUMBER /
SEMINAR
TOPICS
/ CURRENT WEEK’S SEMINAR ACTIVITIES / PREPARATION and ASSIGNMENTS for NEXT WEEK’S SEMINAR
1
Jan. 14 – 18 / Registration, Enrolment & Course Overview / Enrolment confirmation.
Discuss revised course aims and objectives, teaching structure, assignment and grading schedule, etc.
Discuss themes/topics for the Research Essay and make preliminary jottings.
Themes/Topics: Conventional versus Alternative Medicine; Violence and Caribbean Development; UWI and Nation Building; Impact of the Arts on ______; and Special Education. / Using no more than 100 words write your expectations/hopes/fears, etc. of the writing and research processes you will be engaging in throughout this course.
Download and READ Critical Thinking Activity G (i) from the OurVLE course website at http://www.mona.uwi.edu/dllp/courses/fd10a/index.htm (Click on the “MATERIALS” link).
IN ADDITION TO ATTENDING YOUR REGULAR SEMINAR, PLEASE ATTEND ONE 1 HOUR LECTURE ON Tuesday, Jan. 22 from 8-9am OR 8-9pm OR Wednesday, Jan. 23 from 12-1pm in N1. Lecture will be on the Writing and Research Processes and Discourse Types.
2
Jan. 21 – 25 / Critical Thinking and Reflective Writing / Class forum/discussion of Critical Thinking Activity G (i).
Share your expectations, hopes and fears of the writing and research processes.
45 Minutes – Reflective Essay: Write an essay of approximately 300 words discussing the importance of effective writing and/or oral communication skills for university undergraduate students. Submit for feedback. / Review preliminary jottings on selected theme/topic for the Research Essay. Extend ideas into a proposal of approximately 150 words. Make sure that you answer the following questions in your proposal: 1. What are my broad and narrowed topics? 2. What am I interested in finding out OR sharing with others about this narrowed topic? 3. What do I already know about this topic? 4. How will I go about gathering additional data on this topic? ** (Peruse model on the OurVLE website.) **
3
Jan. 28 – Feb. 1 / Essay Writing
Workshop I / 1. Discuss your proposal with your peers and instructor (15 minutes)
2. Discuss the following strategies for writing an effective: (a) thesis statement; (b) introductory paragraph; (c) sentence outline for the body paragraphs of an essay
3. For your research topic, attempt writing the introductory paragraph with the thesis statement (ending it)
4. Discuss interview schedule (for research topic) with your instructor in her consultation sessions. / Manage YOUR Research: Locate TWO source materials for your Research Essay (one source must be an interview). In addition to taking notes on NOTE CARDS, summarize each source material in 1-2 sentences and record the bibliographic information.
Begin doing self-help exercises to address weaknesses identified in your writing so far. Use the Glazier and/or Taylor (from The Writing Centre) or other textbooks that provide answers for you to keep track of your progress.
4
Feb. 4 – 8
(Ash Wednesday is February 6. Please attend another seminar during this week if your class is usually held on a Wednesday.) / Information Literacy and Documenta-tion Skills / [Go to the Main Library for this session.]
Practice locating information from a variety of sources.
Discuss shaping your writing and evaluating sources (View two DVDs on these areas.)
Visit the following website and attempt the multiple choice activity on evaluating sources: http://www.lib.calpoly.edu/infocomp/modules/05_evaluate/index.html.
This website also has tips on critical thinking: www.library.cornell.edu/olinuris/ref/webcrit.html
Attend Writing Centre Workshop on Feb. 5, 7, 12 or 14. Submit attendance slip to your instructor in next week’s class. / Locate ONE written source material you intend to use in your Research Essay. Based on information gathered from the library session as well as from class discussions on critical thinking, summarize the material (in no more than 100 words) THEN
  • evaluate the source material,
  • assess its target audience,
  • discuss elements of objectivity/subjectivity,
  • identify biases or flawed reasoning,
  • discuss organization strategies, and
  • comment on the writing style (in no more than 300 words).
This complete assignment must NOT exceed 400 words. Copy and attach the material; ensure source information is clearly and fully noted on it. (WJ#1).
** (Peruse model on the OurVLE website.) **
5
Feb. 11 – 15 / Essay Writing Workshop II / Submit WJ#1 for grading.
Discuss strategies for developing effective body and concluding paragraphs, paying attention to topic sentences, types of supporting details, use of transitional devices, paragraph unity & cohesion, paragraph structure, analysis, ways of wrapping up an essay, and editing, reviewing and proofreading strategies.
Attempt writing the sentence outline for the body of your research essay. ** (Peruse model on the OurVLE website.) ** / Manage YOUR Research: Locate TWO more source materials for your Research Essay. In addition to taking notes on NOTE CARDS, summarize each source material in 1-2 sentences and record the bibliographic information.
Download and READ Critical Thinking Activity J from the OurVLE course website.
IN ADDITION TO ATTENDING YOUR REGULAR SEMINAR, PLEASE ATTEND ONE 1 HOUR LECTURE ON Tuesday, Feb. 19 from 8-9am OR 8-9pm OR Wednesday, Feb. 20 from 12-1pm in N1. Lecture will be on APA Documentation Style.
6
Feb. 18 – 22 / Language and Communica-tion / Discuss strategies for effective oral communication and individual/group presentations.
Mock debates/presentations on: What is language? Is language the prerogative of human beings or do other animals have language? Caribbean language varieties. Language and social status.
Form groups (of fours) for the upcoming presentations on a topical or contemporary issue agreed on by group members and your instructor. Make sure to give your instructor the presentation topic, thesis and names of group members at the end of this class. / Prepare individual 3-minute oral presentation to give peers and instructor a brief overview of your research theme/topic, thus far.
Presentations must be accompanied by a TYPED REVISED research essay proposal, essay outline (with introduction), and annotated list of references (with a minimum of five VARIED sources that conform to APA documentation style and correspond with the theme/topic of the oral presentation).
Use the following website to help you check or correct your list of references (APA Style): http://www.calvin.edu/library/knightcite/ index.php
Feb. 25 – 29 / S E M E S T E R B R E A K
7
March 3 – 7 / Individual Presentations on Research Progress / Individual 3-minute oral presentations on selected Research Essay theme/topic.
Submit for grading (worth 5%) a TYPED COPY of your revised research essay proposal, outline (with introduction) and annotated list of references.
NOTE: In-text citations (in the outline) and the list of references will be graded on accuracy of entries according to the APA documentation style and relevance to the theme/topic. Marks will be deducted for incorrect/missing punctuation, misspelling and grammatical errors. No marks will be awarded if list of references does not conform to the requirements of the APA Style Manual (5th Edition). / Review the essentials of effective essay writing. Bring to next class the reflective essay that was written during Seminar # 2.
Download and READ Critical Thinking Activities K & L from the OurVLE course website.
Attend Writing Centre Workshop on March 5, 7, 12 or 14. Submit attendance slip to your instructor in next week’s class.
8
March 10 – 14 / Improving your Critical Thinking & Writing Skills / Class forum/discussion of Critical Thinking Activities K & L.
45 Minutes – REWRITE the reflective essay that was written in Seminar # 3. Submit both drafts of the reflective essay for feedback.
Use the rest of this session to discuss with your instructor specific problems you are still experiencing with APA DOCUMENTATION. / Bring the following REVISED DRAFTS to the next seminar to write the first draft of the Research Essay:
  1. TYPED copy of your essay proposal and sentence outline;
  2. Your research notes (on NOTE CARDS ONLY);
  3. TYPED copy of your annotated list of references;
  4. ONE Appendix item (e.g. table, chart, picture, graph, interview questions etc.) that supports your discussion. Absolutely NO printouts of articles!)

9
March 17 – 21
(Good Friday is March 21. Please attend another seminar during this week if your class is usually held on a Friday.) /

Drafting the Research Essay

/ Students write first draft of the Research Essay IN CLASS using APPROVED materials ONLY.
Write on one side of the paper only in black ink (and leave large margins or use double spacing) to facilitate editing in blue ink.
Your Instructor MUST sign & date your first draft, as well as your REVISED proposal, essay outline and annotated list of references. / Continue revising and editing the first draft of your Research Essay, using a different colour ink. (If you need to re-write whole sections of your draft or include lengthy additional information, do so ONLY in your instructor’s presence.)
DO NOT LOSE YOUR RESEARCH ESSAY DRAFT AND THE ACCOMPANYING MATERIALS! You MUST take them to the next seminar.
Download from the OurVLE course website and READ the “Peer Critique Checklist” & “Peer Critique Model” for next seminar.
IN ADDITION TO ATTENDING YOUR REGULAR SEMINAR, PLEASE ATTEND ONE 1 HOUR LECTURE ON Tuesday, March 25 from 8-9am OR 8-9pm OR Wednesday, March 26 from 12-1pm in N1. Lecture will be on Plagiarism and Editing/Revision Strategies.
10
March 24 – 28
(Easter Monday is March 24. Please attend another seminar during this week if your class is usually held on a Monday.) / Audience Feedback on Research Essay Draft / Participate in the IN-CLASS peer critiquing session by allowing at least TWO of your peers to read and comment on your essay attempt. (Use the “Peer Critique Checklist” as your guide).
If necessary, make revisions on the blank pages of your booklet IN CLASS. Your Instructor must approve, sign, and date revisions. / [VERY IMPORTANT: After this week, your instructor will NOT sign off on any new materials for your research essay. If you improve your essay proposal, outline or annotated references, ATTACH these improved drafts to the original drafts that already have your instructor’s signature and date.]
Make final preparations for graded group presentations. Download “Group Presentation Guidelines” from the website and bring to next seminar.
11
Mar. 31–April 4 / Critical Thinking & Writing
(No face-to-face seminar this week!) / Use this week to critically reflect on
  1. the processes involved in constructing the Research Essay and improvements you will make to the first draft of your research essay.
  2. FD10A and its impact on your writing, researching and presentation skills.
  3. your growth and development as a writer and what you will take away from FD10A to your other courses.
/ This entire assignment must not exceed 500 words.
  • (WJ#2 – PART A): In no more than 300 words explain how an active engagement with the course has helped to hone your researching, writing and critical thinking skills and outline steps you will take to improve the first draft of your Research Essay based on discussions with peers and consultation with instructor.
  • (WJ#2 – PART B): In no more than 200 words highlight the strengths of FD10A and discuss how it can be enhanced, based on the aims and objectives of the course.

12
April 7 – 11 /

Group Presentations

/ Submit WJ#2 – Part A and B as one document for grading.
Group Presentations & Performances on topical/contemporary issues agreed on by group members and instructor. (10%)
Discuss format of the final FD10A exam. / Prepare for next week’s one-on-one conferencing with your instructor by securing with a string ALL your FD10A exam documents in this order: Annotated list of References, Appendices, Essay Proposal, Essay Outline, Peer Critique Comments & Annotated First Draft of Research Essay.
13
April 14 – 18 / Conferencing for Exam Preparation / Following the name order on the class register, every student will be allowed the opportunity to conference with the instructor for 5 minutes to discuss
  • select aspects of each research essay,
  • correctness of exam documents, and
  • view final coursework grades before the exam!
(Every student will be awarded a mark out of 5% for participation, growth and effort). / Prepare for the final exam by observing the guidelines posted on the FD10A website (“Preparing forFD10A Final Exam”).
REVIEW past students’ exam essays posted on the course website.
NO dictionary OR thesaurus is allowed in the final EXAM.

The Writer’s Journal (WJ) Items (20%):

(Each assignment indicated below MUST be TYPED and handed in at the time stipulated on the seminar schedule. Late assignments will NOT be accepted!)

  1. (WJ# 1 = 10%) Locate ONE written source material you intend to use in your Research Essay. Based on information gathered from the library session as well as from class discussions on critical thinking, summarize the material (in no more than 100 words) THEN evaluate the source material, assess its target audience, discuss elements of objectivity/subjectivity, identify biases or flawed reasoning, discuss organization strategies, and comment on the writing style (in no more than 300 words). This complete assignment must NOT exceed 400 words. Copy and attach the material; ensure source information is clearly and fully noted on it.
  2. (WJ#2: SUBMIT AS ONE DOCUMENT = 10%)
  3. (PART A): In no more than 300 words explain how an active engagement with the course has helped to hone your researching, writing and critical thinking skills and outline steps you will take to improve the first draft of your Research Essay based on discussions with peers and consultation with instructor.
  4. (PART B): In no more than 200 words highlight the strengths as well as the ways in which FD10A can be enhanced, based on the course aims and objectives.

Guidelines for the Writing/Research Process (10%) and the Research Essay (50%)

  1. Select ONE theme/topic from below:
  • Conventional versus Alternative Medicine
  • Violence and Caribbean Development
  • UWI and Nation Building
  • Impact of the Arts on ______
  • Special Education
  1. Generate ideas on your selected theme/topic; narrow it to a researchable theme/topic that can be reasonably explored in a 800-word essay; prepare a short proposal of approximately 150 words for instructor feedback; research the topic and make relevant notes; prepare an essay outline (with sources included) and the annotated list of references.
  2. Write the first draft of the research essay (IN-CLASS on the specified date & time). The first draft of the Research Essay * MUST:
  • show evidence of at least five (5) scholarly/reputable/credible sources (including an interview);
  • include varied sources using a combination of direct quotes, paraphrases and summaries;
  • include in-text citations and accompanied by an annotated list of references* that conform to APA Style Manual 5th Edition (see website for model);
  • be accompanied by a typed essay proposal* and outline*;
  • include ONE relevant appendix* to support your discussion/research;
  • be critiqued by at least two peers* and discussed with instructor;
  • be edited and revised BY YOU. Revision/Editing MUST BE DONE ON THE FLIP SIDE OR IN THE MARGINS OF THE FIRST DRAFT and MUST be signed and dated by your instructor.
  • Ensure that your instructor signs every page of each italicised/asterisked item indicated in #3 above by the end of Seminar 11. DO NOT LOSE ANY OF THESE MATERIALS!
  1. The final draft of the Research Essay will be written in the final exam. To write the final draft of the Research Essay, students MUST take to the examination room the first draft of the research essay along with all italicized/asterisked items in # 3 above.
  2. ALL written materials taken into the examination room MUST be attached to the final draft of the research essay. Students will NOT be allowed to leave the examination room with any essay related written materials.
  3. No dictionary or thesaurus is allowed in the examination room.
  4. The Research Essay (50%) will be evaluated using the MOCAS grading scheme. The Writing and Research Process (10%) will be evaluated based on written materials submitted along with the final draft of the Research Essay.
  5. To pass FD10A, students MUST receive at least a total of 40/100 when coursework and final exam marks are added. Please note that exam scripts reflecting poor grammar and mechanics and/or incorrect documentation (both in-text and on the references list) will automatically receive a failing grade.

RECORD THE FOLLOWING FOR YOUR BENEFIT:

DAYS & TIMES OF SEMINAR:______

TUTOR’S NAME:______

DAYS & TIMES OF CONSULTATION:______

FD10A/FOUN 1001 (Revised Course Aims, Objectives and Seminar Schedule)1

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