1/13

First Day of Class

Scope and Purpose of the Project

The Research Process

The Research Notebook

• Project Log
• Current 100 word description of the project.  Needs to be updated frequently
• Project Journal—Weekly Reflection on the Progress of the Project, place to free write and work through difficulties, record initial thoughts
• Section for each Key Questions with Subquestions of fact, value, and meaning, Answers, Evidence, Analysis (list sources as you go), Missing Pieces of Information, Subquestions yet to be answered and possible leads on finding answers, Speculations, New Questions to be answered
• Working Bibliography of Primary and Secondary Sources
• Drafts of parts of final essay.  Include notes for additions, revisions, cuts, self-assessment, peer-assessment
• Key Readings
• Notetaking Form

1/20

·        Identify the Archives, Indexes, Journals, Internet Sources, Non-library sources that you will need for your project.  Consult with a reference librarian.  Make a master list and keep it updated

·        Conduct an initial survey of the secondary literature on your topic.  You must find and read at least 7 current articles in scholarly publications.  Make the first entries into your Working Bibliography.

·        Write 500-1000 words analyzing the first results of your survey:  What questions are being asked?  What sources, theories, and methods are being used to answer them?  What are the parameters of debate among informed participants?  About what do writers agree and disagree?  Are there any serious oversights or poorly considered aspects of the literature?  What can be your original contribution to the literature?

·        Write 500-1000 words redefining your research topic in light of the results of your initial survey of the literature.  What questions are you asking?  Why are these the right questions to be asking?  What primary and secondary sources will you use to answer them?  What theories and methods will you use?  What are the benefits and limits of using these theories and methods?  What is significant about your research?

·        Update your research log and journal

1/27

·         Conduct an initial foray into the primary sources you intend to use for your project.  Be creative and resourceful.  Update your Working Bibliography.

·         Write 500-1000 words analyzing the results of your initial foray:  What questions can these sources answer?  What questions can they not?  What are the benefits and limits of using these kinds of sources to answer the questions you want answered?  What are the benefits and limits of using these particular sources?

·         Write 500-1000 words redefining your research topic in light of the results of your initial foray into the primary sources.  What new questions emerge?  What old ones fall by the way?  Why are these the right questions to be asking?  What sources will you use to answer them?  What additional sources will be required?  What theories and methods will you use?  What are the benefits and limits of using these theories and methods?  What is significant about your research?

·         Update your research log and journal

2/3

·         Formalize the questions you expect to answer by making a Master List.  Cluster them by topic.  Assign primary and secondary status to them.  Reorganize your Working Bibliography by Question (one source may have several entries)

·         Continue to gather, annotate, analyze, and contextualize primary and secondary sources.  Write a summary of your findings.

·         Write a section of the body of your paper.  The section should be between 3 and 5 pages (of 250 words each) organized around a structured set of claims, evidence, and interpretation.  It should have a beginning, middle, and end.  It should feature analysis of primary sources, discussion of relevant theoretical, cultural, and historical contexts, and placement of your discussion in the secondary literature.  Email a copy of your section to your peer reviewer by Saturday at 12:00 noon.

·         If assigned prepare a formal 300-500 word assessment of a peer’s section

·         Update your research log, working bibliography, and journal

2/10

·         Continue to gather, annotate, analyze, and contextualize primary and secondary sources.  Write a summary of your findings.

·         Write a second section of the body of your paper.  Email a copy of your section to your peer reviewer by Saturday at 12:00 noon.

·         If assigned prepare a formal 300-500 word assessment of a peer’s section

·         Update your research log, working bibliography, master questions list, and journal

2/17

·         Continue to gather, annotate, analyze, and contextualize primary and secondary sources.  Write a summary of your findings.

·         Continue to draft portions of your paper.  Email a copy of your section to your peer reviewer by Saturday at 12:00 noon.

·         If assigned prepare a formal 300-500 word assessment of a peer’s section

·         Update your research log, working bibliography, master questions list, and journal

2/24

·         Continue to gather, annotate, analyze, and contextualize primary and secondary sources.  Write a summary of your findings.

·         Continue to draft portions of your paper.  Email a copy of your section to your peer reviewer by Saturday at 12:00 noon.

·         If assigned prepare a formal 300-500 word assessment of a peer’s section

·         Update your research log, working bibliography, master questions list, and journal

·         Write a 500-750 word self-assessment and project report.  Where are you in the process?  What have you done well in the first part of the project?  What do you need to improve on?  What are the most interesting and surprising things you have learned (or have disproved) so far?  What are the most important questions remaining?

3/2

·         Continue to gather, annotate, analyze, and contextualize primary and secondary sources.  Write a summary of your findings.

·         Write your paper in nutshell form:  Convey the essential elements of your essay in 5 pages of polished prose.  Do not sacrifice sophistication for brevity.

·         Update your research log, working bibliography, master questions list, and journal

3/9

(Attendance Optional—Class Time Will be Spent One-on-One)

·         Continue to gather, annotate, analyze, and contextualize primary and secondary sources.  Write a summary of your findings.

·         Continue to draft portions of your paper

·         Update your research log, working bibliography, master questions list, and journal

3/16

Spring Break

3/23

(Attendance Optional—Class Time Will be Spent One-on-One)

·         Continue to gather, annotate, analyze, and contextualize primary and secondary sources.  Write a summary of your findings.

·         Continue to draft portions of your paper

·         Update your research log, working bibliography, master questions list, and journal

3/30

·         Write a Full Draft of your essay

4/6

·         Introductions and Conclusions Workshop.  Bring 2 pages of your introduction and 2 pages of your conclusion.

4/13

Rehearsal Presentations

·         Rethink your findings, argument, explanations, and interpretations in light of the comments received on your draft.  Begin thorough revision.  Prepare a 7 minute presentation based on the results of your research.

4/20

Rehearsal Presentations

·         Continue revisions.

·         Continue work on presentation.

4/24-5

Public Conference on Friday Afternoon and Saturday—No Absences are Acceptable

4/27

Makeup Day

TBA

Final Essay Date—Due the Day of the Scheduled Final Exam