When You Get to Class: Different Kinds of Research (Good Hair)

Research isn't always done for a paper, and the topic isn't always "academic." Chris Rock decided to film his documentary for a very specific and personal reason. What was it? Also, how did he conduct his research? Where did his research take him? (Please use headphones to listen to this trailer.)

Research in Real Life

How would you go about answering these questions?

What kind of music do students in your class prefer?

What’s the best way of cooking baked ziti?

How do you diaper a baby?

What kind of jeans are “in”?

Which English teacher gives the most homework?

What is the fastest way of getting from the college to your home?

What present would your (mother, best friend) like for his/her birthday?

When is Christmas break?

What restaurant makes the best pizza in your area?

Would Venice be a good place to visit in the winter?

*questions provided by the excellent authors of your textbook

"Mixing" vs. Plagiarism

Check out this article about Helene Hegemann, a young author fighting allegations of plagiarism. What do you think of her ideas about utilizing the works of others in her book?

Syllabus

This is the same as the hard copy I gave you last week, except I've added the location of my office hours and the Writing Center, as well as a link to the "Introduction to English 103" sheet:

ENG103.0865

Preparing and Writing the Research Paper

LaGuardia Community College

Fall I 2011

Thursday, 8-10am

Room E-141

Ms. Uzzilia

Office hours: Thursday, 10:30-11:30am (MB14, office A), 11:45am-12:45pm (MB14)  

E-mail: suzzilia@lagcc.cuny.edu

Class Blog: suzzilia.blogspot.com

Course Description:

The LaGuardia Community College catalog describes ENG103 in this way:

This course takes up the skills needed to prepare and write a formal research paper. The students learn and practice the skills involved in research reports for such major disciplines as the social sciences, humanities, human services, and English. These include: choosing an appropriate topic and limiting its focus; using library reference materials; outlining and taking notes; using quotations and paraphrases; preparing footnotes and bibliography; and, finally, incorporating these skills in the development of a typed manuscript.

Prerequisite: ENG101

Please see the Introduction to English 103 sheet for more information.

Declaration of Pluralism:

 The LaGuardia Community College catalogue states the following:

We are a diverse community at LaGuardia Community College. We strive to become a pluralistic community. We respect diversity as reflected in such areas as race, culture, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, disability, and social class.

As a pluralistic community we will:

• Celebrate: individual and group diversity.

• Honor: the rights of people to speak and be heard on behalf of pluralism.

• Promote: inter-group cooperation, understanding, and communication.

• Acknowledge: each other’s contributions to the community.

• Share: beliefs, customs, and experiences which enlighten us about members of our community.

• Affirm: each other’s dignity.

• Seek: further ways to learn about and appreciate one another.

• Confront: the expression of dehumanizing stereotypes, incidents where individuals or groups are excluded because of difference, the intolerance of diversity, and the forces of racism, sexism, heterosexism, homophobia, disability discrimination, ageism, classism, and ethnocentrism that fragment the community into antagonistic individuals and groups.

We believe by carrying out these actions we, as students, faculty, and staff can achieve social change and the development of a society in which each individual can achieve her or his maximum potential.

 Classroom Expectations:

Every student in this class has the right to learn in a positive and respectful environment. When you come to class, please come ready to work. This includes turning off the ringer on your cell phone, bringing all required materials to class (a flash drive, the textbook, and any additional handouts), and making your best effort. Please treat others as you would have them treat you, and do your best to contribute to group work and class discussions in a positive manner.  

Attendance Policy:

Good attendance is crucial to your success in this class. You may have no more than two hours of absence through September 27^th. After two hours of absence, you will automatically receive an F, unless you are able to withdraw from the course on or before September 27^th. After September 27^th, you are allowed no more than two additional hours of absence.

You must also be punctual. Being late two times equals one absence. If you are late, please see me at the end of class.

In case you have to miss a class or be late, please have the phone numbers and/or email addresses of at least two classmates so that you can find out what you missed.

Plagiarism Policy:

It is very important that you do your own work, so plagiarism will not be tolerated.

If a paper exhibits plagiarism, it will automatically receive an F, regardless of whether the writer intended to plagiarize or not. Students are expected to understand what constitutes plagiarism. When the plagiarism is eliminated, the paper will receive no higher than a C. If there is a second case of plagiarism, the student will either automatically be required to withdraw from the course, or, if it is past the withdrawal date, the student will automatically fail ENG103.

Please see the “Statement about Plagiarism” sheet for more information.

Required Texts:

Research Papers: A Guide and Workbook, 2^nd ed. by Marian Arkin and Cecilia Macheski

Course Requirements:  

Classwork / Homework / Research Journal / Source Folder: 40%

“Guinea Pig” Day / Final Paper Presentation: 10%

Rough Draft of Research Paper (minimum 1,000 words, or about 4 pages): 20%

Final Draft of Research Paper (minimum 1,800 words, or about 7 pages): 30%

Because this class emphasizes the research process, it is important that work is completed in sequence and on time. You may not move to the next step in the process until you have completed all previous work.

All work is due upon request on the date it is due. Late work will be deducted.

Please type your work and make sure to proofread before you turn it in. Your research paper will be written in MLA format (we will discuss this later).  

Please come see me during my office hours for additional help. You can also visit the Writing Center (Room B-200).

Schedule:

9/8: Introductions, Diagnostic Essay

9/15: Ch. 1: What is Research?
9/22: Ch. 2: Synopsis of a Model Research Paper

Tuesday, 9/27: Last day to officially withdraw from a course with a “W” grade

9/29: no class

10/6: Ch. 3: Choosing a Subject and Narrowing to a Topic
10/13: Ch. 4: Finding and Retrieving Sources
10/20: Ch. 5: Evaluating and Recording Information from Sources
10/27: Ch. 6: Organizing and Outlining Research Material
11/3: Ch. 7: Writing the Paper
11/10: Ch. 8: Documenting Your Sources Using MLA Style
11/17: Ch. 10: Preparing and Proofreading the Final Draft

11/24: no class

12/1: Final Paper Presentations

12/8: Final Paper Presentations, continued
12/15: Individual Meetings re: grades

*Subject to Change

Academic Calendar

Here is LaGuardia's academic calendar, just in case you need to know about holidays, add/drop dates, etc.