instructions
Learning Outcomes
The components of the Research Project enable you to demonstrate your ability to successfully perform many of English 100’s Learning Outcomes (printed on the Course Outline and below), including:
- Write fluently and grammatically in a range of academic forms and genres;
- Read actively and closely through annotating, elaborating, reflecting, and questioning;
- Summarize, paraphrase, and quote sources in written and oral form;
- Practice critical thinking, analyze, and synthesize at the first-year university level;
- Explain the significance of global and local cultural issues raised in texts (here, primarily scholarly articles);
- Demonstrate information literacy skills following a library-based introduction to university level research methods;
- Document source material using professional styles such as MLA and APA;
- Apply techniques for revising and editing.
English 100 | Summer 2018
- Houglum
Research Project: Learning Outcomes
The components of the Research Project enable you to demonstrate your ability to successfully perform many of English 100’s Learning Outcomes (printed on the Course Outline and below), including:
- Write fluently and grammatically in a range of academic forms and genres;
- Read actively and closely through annotating, elaborating, reflecting, and questioning;
- Summarize, paraphrase, and quote sources in written and oral form;
- Practice critical thinking, analyze, and synthesize at the first-year university level;
- Explain the significance of global and local cultural issues raised in texts (here, primarily scholarly articles);
- Demonstrate information literacy skills following a library-based introduction to university level research methods;
- Document source material using professional styles such as MLA and APA;
- Apply techniques for revising and editing.
Summary of Research Project Components:
Library Research Seminars: June 7 and June 12, 2018 (Factored into participation mark)
Research Anthology Proposal + Annotated Bibliography: Due June 14, 2018 (10%)
Peer Editing of Research Anthology Introduction drafts: June 26, 2018
- Bring one (print copy) draft of your essay to class.
Research Project Presentations: June 28, 2018 (5%)
Research Anthology (Introduction Essay + Works Cited page + Self-Assessment): Due Friday, June 28 (25%)
Research Anthology Introduction (25%) | DUE Friday, June 28, 2018
What Is An Anthology Introduction?
An anthology is a collection of writing – stories, articles, research essays, interviews, etc. – used to introduce a topic to a diverse but interested readership. For this assignment, you will research, edit, and write the introductory essay to an anthology of writing on one of the urban studies topics listed below. The anthology that you assemble must contain a minimum of five sources. It should include at least three academic sources, i.e. argumentative, research-based sources with citation (MLA or APA, etc). The remaining two sources can be academic or non-academic genres such as magazine articles, interviews, documentaries, novels, poems, films, images, artworks, or substantial newspaper articles.
Research Topics (select ONE):
- In English 100, we’ve discussed a variety of housing situations from slum environments to high-end condos, and a number of challenges that cities face in ensuring access to housing. Identify one specific problem in the housing sector of a city and investigate possible solutions.
- Research the benefits and challenges of urban food production. Offer recommendations on optimal development of one of these areas: urban farming, community gardens, or metropolitan regional agriculture.
- What can cities do to reduce their environmental impact? Choose a specific focus such as resource use, new technologies, or waste.
- How can cities optimize transportation? Choose a transportation system and investigate best practices.
Anthology Introduction Guidelines
Your anthology introduction must include the following:
- An Anthology Introduction Essay explaining the rationale behind your collection: What is the topic? Why is it important? What questions does your research answer? Why did you choose these particular texts? How does each text contribute to your topic? What overarching perspective or stance on the topic (i.e. argument) does your collection of texts highlight? Imagine this essay as a kind of introduction to the collection: you need to provide readers with a summary and discussion of each the texts included, showing connections and differences in their arguments and approaches. Note: Your Anthology Introduction Essay should be 1500-1800 words—around 6-7 typed, double-spaced pages—and formatted in Times New Roman 12 pt. or a similar-sized font.
- MLA Works Cited or APA References page with a minimum of five sources, two of which must be academic.
- Anthology Self-Assessment Sheet: Complete the self-evaluation sheet located on the Moodle site.
Anthology Project Proposal and Annotated Bibliography (10%)
Required elements:
- Brief (2-3 sentences) description of your topic and the questions informing your project;
- Working thesis statement (1 sentence) – i.e. what claim or position will be advanced in your anthology;
- Anthology objectives (2-3 sentences) – i.e. description of what you hope to illustrate / show through the production of this anthology;
- Three annotated bibliographic entries, which must include:
- Formal bibliographic citation with publication details for each source;
- Summary (approx. 2 sentences) of each source followed by a brief assessment (approx. 2 sentences) of the source (its credibility, relevancy, merits, limitations, etc.).
Source types: A minimum of 2 academic sources; remaining source, your choice – e.g. academic or non-academic.
Style: MLA or APA. Double space.
Notes on Selecting Material
Your topic should not be too broad, and your discussion should take a clear stance on the topic selected.
Topics such as “Urban Transportation,” for instance, should be narrowed to something like “Five Arguments Against Driverless Cars.” You will probably narrow your topic even further as you begin to do research on it.
Be prepared to spend between 8-12 hours researching your topic. Do not expect to find your sources in one visit to the library – that will certainly lead to frustration. You’ll need to reflect on your topic as you conduct research into it. A portion of the mark for this assignment will be based on your selection of material. When selecting your sources, build on what you learned in the Library Workshops and/or work directly with the reference librarians.
English 100 Research Presentation Assignment (5%): June 28, 2018
In a 5 minute *concise and exciting* presentation on your Research Anthology, discuss your Anthology’s main main stance on your topic, short (1-2 sentences) summaries of your most important source texts (i.e. not all of them), dynamic examples, and what you found most interesting about your research. Find one image that typifies your presentation that we can project while you speak.