SYLLABUS

The Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program

EDUC 555

INSTRUCTORS:

Name: Dr. Mark Ortwein

Office:DeSoto Center / Suite O

Phone:662/473/8531

Email:

PRIMARY TEXT

Open education resources (OER) will be assigned as the course progresses. Links to these are found in the course schedule

PURPOSE OF THE COURSE:

This course is designed to increase participant knowledge of research methodologies, academic writing, graduate school success strategies, and to offer students one-on-one manuscript feedback with Dr. Ortwein.

COURSE ASSIGNMENTS

Read all assigned materials prior to class meeting and be prepared to discuss and/or complete a group assignment in class on the topics of the material. Written assignments are due at the beginning of the class period on the due date indicated on the course schedule. If an assignment is late, 2 points will be deducted for every day the assignment is late past the due date. If the participant is ill or must miss class for some other reason, the student is still responsible for turning the assignment in to the instructor on the due date. Someone else if necessary may turn in the assignment. The instructor may waiver the deduction of points at his discretion. Students should plan in advance so that assignments can be completed on time. A course schedule will be distributed the first day of class.

Assignments:

Library Checklist5 points

Attendance, Participation, & Discussion5 points

Proposal10 points

Research Presentation15 points

Rough Draft of Paper15 points

Final Paper50 points

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TOTAL100 points

GRADING PROCEDURES

Grades will be determined according to the following scale:

90-100A

80-89B

70-79C

60-69D

0-59F

EXPECTATIONS

This is (for our purposes) a doctoral level course. I expect students to demonstrate dedication to scholarship and to take their responsibilities seriously. Those who’ve endured the rigors of doctoral education will likely agree that responsibility and dedication are among key character traits that describe successful PhD students. As such, assignments must be turned in on time. Readings must be completed prior to class. Submitted work must be of the highest quality. It is also true, however, that doctoral education is just that: education. I do not expect perfectly polished academic writing. This is unrealistic. We are all, even professors, growing and improving in this respect. I simply require your very best effort.

ATTENDENCE POLICY

Attendance and participation in class are expected. Excessive absences (more than one) will adversely affect the final grade for the course. Each additional absence results in a 5-point deduction from the total points for this course. Participants are responsible for all material covered when absent. Late assignments will not be accepted (see Flexibility Clause). It is the responsibility of the student to make arrangements for turning in assignments on the due date if absent.

Policies Related to Students (Candidates) with Disabilities

It is the responsibility of any student with a disability, who requests a reasonable accommodation, to contact the Office of Student Disability Services (915-7128). That office, through the candidate, will make contact with the instructor of this class. The instructor will then be happy to work with the candidate so that a reasonable accommodation of any disability can be made.

Academic Integrity and Honesty

Candidates are expected to follow the honor code as outlined in the current University of Mississippi M Book, which can be found online at /depts/deanofstudents/mbook/. Plagiarism, as defined in the honor code, will not be tolerated.

Flexibility Clause

The aforementioned requirements, assignments, policies, evaluation procedures, etc., are subject to change. Candidates’ experiences and needs, as well as emerging knowledge, will be considered in modifying this course syllabus.

DATE / DAILY SCHEDULE / HOMEWORK / DUE
May 29 / Syllabus & Schedule Overview
Lecture: Life in Academia: Part 1
Q&A: Ask me anything! / Print out library checklist and bring to library
May 30 / Library Tour (Meet @ 10am at Starbucks in library) / Library Checklist
May 31 / Lecture: Life in Academia: Part 2
Lecture: Writing Well
Video: The Paragraph
Video: The Essay
June 1 / Lecture: What is Research?
Lecture: How to write a research proposal
Collecting literature and the Resource Abstract: How it works / Read: How to Structure and Organize your Paper
June 4 / Lecture—How do we Structure a Research Manuscript.
Discuss—How to Structure and Organize your Paper
June 5 / Lecture—What is good writing?
Video—
Video— / Read: What is Ethics in Research & Why is it Important? / Proposal Due
June 6 / Lecture—Introduction to Research Ethics
Discuss: What is Ethics in Research & Why is it Important? / Read: The Real Lesson of the Stanford Prison Experiment
June 7 / Film—The Stanford Prison Experiment
Discuss: The Real Lesson of the Stanford Prison Experiment / Read: Rethinking One of Psychology’s Most Infamous Experiments
June 8 / Guest Lecture
June 11 / Film—The Milgram Experiments
Discuss: Rethinking One of Psychology’s Most Infamous Experiments / Read: Lesson of a Lifetime
June 12 / Film—A Class Divided
Discuss—Lesson of a Lifetime
June 13 / Lecture—How to Design a Research Presentation
June 14 / Meet @ Library to work on presentations
June 15 / Guest Lecture
June 18 / Student Presentation:
  • MakayelaBouldes
  • LaTunya Evans
  • Samuel Graves
  • Jamireia Hampton
/ Rough Draft Due
June 19 / Student Presentations:
  • Ashli Holloway
  • Tykeyah Key
  • Claire Lundy
  • Jamal Lydie

June 20 / Student Presentation:
  • Kiera Lyles
  • Mweyeria Offord
  • Stephanie Poiroux
  • Jada Similton

June 21 / Student Presentations:
  • Kymberlee Taylor
  • Courtney Thomas
  • Maliah Wilkinson
  • Shaylin Williams
/ Final Paper Due
June 22 / Meet @ Library for final feedback