Course DescriptionRequired TextsCourse URLAssignmentsReading: Introduction to fieldworking (pp. 1-7)*Choosing a research topic*Writing: Research Proposal & Consent Form*Choosing Your Field SiteReading: “Research Place” (pp. 217-247) *Writing: Observation PaperDue: Research proposal, final draftReading and Exercise: Understanding Style (Chapter 4)Reading: “Strike a Pose” (pp. 247-263) Study Day (No Class)Due: Observation paper, 2nd draft.Due: SummaryReading: Literature review samplesLibrary researchDue: Ethnographic essay, 1st draftPeer Review: Ethnographic essay, 1st draftOverviewGoals for this assignmentThe document you will produceGoals for this assignmentThe document you will produceGoals for this assignmentThe document you will produceEthnographic Essay—The Final PaperOverviewEnglish 202AEnglish 202A Writing in the Social Sciences Course: English 202A -18Time: TTH 2:30 – 3:45 pmLocation: 2 Deike Instructor: Xiaoye YouOffice: Burrowes 135Phone: (814) 863-0595Email: [email protected] Hours: TTH 1:00-2:15 pm by appointment Course DescriptionThe purpose of English 202A is to familiarize you with ethnography, a type of research increasingly used in social sciences, and to help you learn to formulate ideas and create cohesive pieces of writing from the information you have collected. It will introduce you to a variety of researching strategies from which you should begin to develop your own approach towards research and towards the types of writing that are useful in your future career. The goals for this course include: - Becoming more comfortable with the writing process (e.g., developing, drafting, editing, revising)- Learning how to identify and explore issues and questions- Improving critical reading skills- Developing and implementing your own research strategies- Learning how to filter and synthesize collected information for use in the development of a convincing and logical argument- Learning how to write ethically and responsibly, including using appropriate formats to document a variety of sources- Becoming more experienced with evaluating the work of others (e.g., through peer critique)Required TextsBonnie Stone Sunstein & Elizabeth Chiseri-Strater. (2002). Field Working: Reading and Writing Research (2nd Ed.). Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s. Joe Glaser. (1999). Understanding Style: Practical Ways to Improve Your Writing. New York: Oxford University Press. Materials Many of the materials you will need for this class will depend greatly upon your own choices in the research process. However, minimally you will need a large folder or a binder with notebook paper (for in-class work and taking notes) and plenty of space to store assignments. You should also have a couple of computer disks to store and backup your work. Course URLhttp://www.personal.psu.edu/faculty/x/u/xuy10/Teaching/2006Spring202A/Index.htmAssignmentsThere will be six primary assignments and some small exercises throughout the semester: - Research Proposal (3-4 pages) –10 points- Observation Paper (4-5 pages) –10 points1English 202A- Literature Review (4-5 pages) –10 points- Interview Report (4-5 pages) –10 points- Ethnographic Essay (10-15 pages) –20 points- Field notes (3 sets) –20 points- Exercises on style – 20 points All papers handed in should: (a) be typed; (b) be done in black ink on letter-size paper; and (c) have one-inch margins on all sides. Final drafts will be evaluated on the basis of content, organization, vocabulary, grammar, and conventions. The grading scale is as follows, 95-100 points = A 90-94.9 points = A -85-89.9 points = B 80-84.9 points = B -75-79.9 points = C+ 70-73 points = C 60-69 points = D 59 and below = F Plagiarism and Ethics You must do your own original work in English 202A and appropriately identify that portion of your work which is collaborative with others, or borrowed from others, or which is your own workfrom other contexts. Whenever you quote passages or use ideas from others, you are legally and ethically obliged to acknowledge that use following appropriate conventions for documenting sources. To borrow someone else’s work without acknowledging that use is an act of academic as well as professional dishonesty, whether you borrow an entire report, a single sentence or an original idea. If you have doubts about whether or not your use of your own or other’s writing is plagiarism, please come to see me and I will be happy to discuss it with you. Following this primary principle: Be up front and honest about what you are doing and about what you have contributed to a project. Any act of plagiarism will result in an F for this course and may lead to disciplinary action by Penn State University. In addition to following the basic principles of fair use of others’ work, you are expected to adhere to another basic principle: treat others with the respect that you would wish them to grant you. “Others” includes the people you work for and with (classmates and instructor); the people you write to (audience); and the people you write about (your informants). In the classroom, this principle includes not talking while another person is talking and respecting others’ opinions even when they differ from your own. AttendanceUniversity policy requires that you attend every class. In this class, you are allowed 3 absences before your grade is affected. Please note that I do not distinguish between excused and unexcused absences, so do not bring me any doctor’s notes, stories, or notes from your mother.If you contract a major illness or have some other significant problem which interferes with your attendance, please notify me as soon as possible, and we will discuss it. I reserve the right to fail any student who has missed 7 or more classes. Being excessively late for class also counts as an absence. ResourcesThe Undergraduate Writing Center, in 219 Boucke, offers free tutoring in writing for students who need extra help. You can make use of their services on your own by dropping in at the Center or by making an appointment to see a writing tutor (814-865-9243). 2English 202ACourse ScheduleWeek 1 (Sept. 6, 8)Wednesday Course introduction Course policy and schedule Friday Reading: Introduction to fieldworking (pp. 1-7)Reading and Exercise: Understanding Style (Chapter 1)*Choosing a research topicDiscussion: Possible research topicsWeek 2 (Sept. 11,13,15)Monday Reading: Stepping in and Stepping out