Introduction to Interdisciplinary Research
Fall 2004
Tentative Course Schedule
-- Last updated 11/22/04
--
Important Note: during weeks designated as "online" (highlighted in color), we will not meet on campus -- interaction will take place via RUOnline. Key readings for each session, whether on-campus or online, are noted below.
-- Part One: Interdisciplinary Foundations --
Week One (8/30): Introduction
- Introductions and course outline; RUOnline orientation
- Meet in room 704, Auditorium Bldg, DT campus
- Assignment: Read Mike's Notes for this week; complete RUOnline 101 Student Orientation Tutorial (accessible from the Courses section within Bb)
Week Two (9/6): Interdisciplinary Foundations (online)
- Review the detailed reading list and Mike's Notes for weeks 2-4
- Discussion Forums
- Personal introductions
- Interdisciplinary readings: Nissani, McLemme, Basinger
- Assignment: select and start reading a book to review
Week Three (9/13): Interdisciplinary Foundations II
- Interdisciplinary readings: Barret and Farina, Folke, Wissoker, International Center
- The art of argument: Booth, part III (ch. 7-9)
Week Four (9/20): Interdisciplinary Foundations III (online)
- Reviewing books: read sample book reviews
- Arguments, cont.: Booth, part III (ch. 10-11)
-- Part Two: Locating and Evaluating Information --
Week Five (9/27): On-Campus Session
- Overview of the research process (classroom); exploration of research tools (library)
- Read and discuss Booth, ch. 5; Gibaldi, ch. 1
- Organize schedule for student-selected research articles (weeks 9-11)
Weeks Six and Seven: Online Interaction
- Discussion Forums: Topics and Readings
- The research process: follow-up on library orientation (finding information); questions to problems to sources (Booth, part II)
- Statistical literacy (Robert Niles, Statistics Every Writer Should Know; Paulos essay, "Ranking Health Risks," on e-reserve) -- e-reserve password is church
- Quantitative vs. qualitative approaches to research (Locke, "Types of Research," on e-reserve)
- Writing Assignments: Book Review due F 10/8 (email)
-- Part Three: The Rhetoric and Ethics of Research --
Week Eight (10/18): On-Campus Session
- Overview of research writing conventions
- Advanced techniques in using sources: evaluation and integration
- Read and discuss Booth, part I
- Discussion of example peer-reviewed article excerpts
Weeks Nine-Fourteen: Online Interaction / Indiv. Conferences
- Discussion Forums and Required Readings (Notes
for Weeks 9-13)
- The rhetoric of research reports and proposals (Booth, part IV; Gibaldi, ch. 1; sample proposals, on e-reserve )
- Ethics and/of research
- Booth, The Craft of Research, ch. 5 and pp. 201-207 and 285-288
- Gibaldi, MLA Handbook, ch. 2
- Roosevelt's "Academic Integrity -- A Guide for Students"
- Case study: Summary of the Emory Report on Michael Bellesiles, History News Network
- Optional web resource: Online Ethics Center at Case Western Reserve Univ.
- Case studies of interdisciplinary/disciplinary
discourse (student selected readings; citations should be sent via
email 1 week prior to assigned week below); for specific
citations, see the Discussion Board
- Week 9 -- Laura
- Week 10 -- Leslie
- Proposals -- online writing workshop starts Mon, Nov. 22nd
- Individual conferences to discuss research topic for your proposal and/or your academic advising questions, weeks 9 thru 11 (my office, DT or RC; times by arrangement)
- Writing Assignments: Essay 2 (source analysis) due F 11/5; Draft of Research Proposal due F 11/26; optional revision of book review due Monday 11/29
-- Part Four: Course Wrap-Up --
Week Fifteen (12/6): Last On-Campus Session
- Final Proposal due Wed, 12/8; course evaluations
- Optional revision of Essay 2 (source analysis) due Fri, 12/10
- Meet for pizza, beverage, and merriment -- day/time TBA
Associate Professor
University College
Roosevelt University
Mike Bryson's
Home Page
Last updated 11/22/04