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Honors 215:
Researching Kansas City
MWF 11-11:50 a.m., Haag 212
Fall 2015
Dr. Henrietta Rix Wood
Honors College
Office: 219 Cockefair Hall
Telephone: 816.235.2291
Office hours: WF, 12:30-1:30 p.m., or by
appointment
woodhr@umkc.edu
Course Overview
Researching Kansas City is an interdisciplinary undergraduate research course that fulfills the
Focus C requirement and is designated a EUReka class. It invites students to investigate
important issues of the past or present in Kansas City using local resources. The class will
introduce students to research methods appropriate to the humanities, social sciences, and
natural sciences and technologies, such as archival research or field work; help students identify
and pursue relevant research questions; guide students in using their research to produce
academic papers; and encourage students explore ways to share their research with broader
audiences.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will demonstrate the ability to fulfill the objectives of Focus C and EUReka classes:

Analyze, interpret, and/or reconstruct important events, experiences, actions, and
interactions in Kansas City of the past or present

Convey an understanding of their own values and civic duty and those of others

Identify ethical problems through the application of ethical theory and moral reasoning

Pose a research question about an important issue of the past or present in Kansas City

Compile relevant sources to respond to that question using local resources

Analyze sources using appropriate methods

Produce academic papers that meet disciplinary conventions and contribute to scholarly
conversations
Required Textbook (available at UMKC Bookstore)
Wayne Booth et al., The Craft of Research (3rd ed., UP of Chicago, 2008)
Other readings are listed on the Course Schedule below and will be posted in the “Course
Content” section of our Blackboard site.
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Recommended: Read The Kansas City Star daily (available free to UMKC students at campus
kiosks) and The Pitch weekly (available free to UMKC students at racks in Royall Hall dining
area and Miller Nichols Library.)
Grading
Researcher’s Notebook
Research Proposal
Annotated Bibliography
Research Paper
Research Affinity Group Notes
Advisor Report
Presentation
Submission Plan
Self-Reflection Essay
10 percent
5 percent
10 percent
25 percent
10 percent
10 percent
10 percent
10 percent
10 percent
Assignments
Researcher’s Notebook (10 percent): Emulating the practice of experienced researchers and
writers, you will compile a notebook that has at least ten entries. I will give you prompts for five
entries, as noted on the Course Schedule. You are responsible for producing another five
entries, which may include responses to assigned readings; reflections on class discussions and
activities; invention exercises such as free-writing exercises or cluster diagrams; records of your
Research Paper sources; and notes on the evolution of your different assignments.
I may collect your notebooks without notice, and I also will ask to see your notebook at
midterm. Please be sure that handwritten entries are legible and try to type as many entries as
possible. Sketches and diagrams may be produced by hand. Be sure to keep all entries in one
folder, which is due on the last day of class.
Research Proposal (5 percent): Composing a formal proposal is a useful first step in any
research project. In drafting your proposal, you will commit to the subject of your project,
articulate the question(s) that you will pursue, identify your primary sources, indicate the
methodologies or data-gathering techniques that you will use, and plan your work. This
proposal also will help clarify your purposes and goals, and my response to it will ensure that
you are on the right track with your project. Your two-page Research Project Proposal is due
September 25 and should address the following issues:







What question(s) about Kansas City do you want to answer and why?
Why is this subject relevant to your academic studies and life?
What primary sources will you need to find? Where are they located and how will you
access them?
What permissions will you need to obtain? (We will discuss this issue in class.)
Based on a preliminary search, what four or more secondary sources do you need to
locate?
What is your timeline for meeting deadlines (see syllabus) and completing your work?
Why should scholars be interested in your project? What is its significance?
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Annotated Bibliography (10 percent): As you begin to work on your Research Paper, it is
important to keep track of the primary and secondary sources that you collect. To do so, you
will submit an Annotated Bibliography of ten credible sources. Your Annotated Bibliography
should have two sections. The primary-source section should include the documents,
interviews, observations, and other sources that are original to your project. The secondarysource section should include the scholarly works that will help you analyze your topic. Your
Annotated Bibliography will be evaluated on the caliber of sources as well as your descriptions
of them. It is due on October 9.
Research Paper (25 percent): In a 10-page paper, you will address an important issue of the
past or present in Kansas City, using at least ten credible sources and an appropriate
methodology. All students will conduct a review of scholarship relevant to their subjects.
Depending upon the topic, you may review pertinent primary sources, conduct informational
interviews, and contact appropriate organizations for information. The instructor will work with
you to ensure that you do not need IRB determination for your project, given time constraints
to obtain that determination. Once you have compiled primary and secondary sources, you will
produce at least three drafts of the paper and will receive feedback from your peers. I will read
the first draft of your paper and offer constructive response. I will grade the final draft of your
paper, which is due on November 9, using the attached rubric.
Research Affinity Group Notes (10 percent): Early in the semester, you will be placed in a
small group of peers who are working on similar topics. You will meet with your group several
times in class as you develop your Research Paper, and the RAG will offer peer response to the
first two drafts of your paper and your Presentation. You should keep notes about meetings and
peer response that you will submit with your Research Paper on November 9.
Advisor Report (10 percent): After you have written the first draft of your Research Paper,
you will ask a UMKC faculty member in an appropriate discipline to review your paper and offer
feedback. You then will write a two-page report about the faculty member’s advice that is due
on November 2.
Presentation (10 percent): Near the end of the semester, you will make a 10-minute
presentation about your research for students in the Honors College or at a UMKC event. You
should prepare a PowerPoint or Prezi that summarizes your key findings.
Submission Plan (10 percent): To pursue the possibility of sharing your research with a
broader audience, you will identify at least one undergraduate academic journal that might
accept your paper. In a two-page paper, you will describe the journal, note its submission
criteria, and compose a query regarding submission. Your Submission Plan is due on November
13.
Self-Reflection Essay (10 percent): The final assignment of this course asks you to reflect on
your work over the course of the semester in a two-page paper that will be due on the last day
of class. This self-reflection should consider our learning outcomes and how well you think that
you have achieved them. You may refer to or quote from your Researcher’s Notebook,
Research Paper, and any other assignment to compose this self-assessment. The essay is due
December 9.
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Grading Scale
93-100%: A
80-83.9%: B-
67-69.9%: D+
90-92.9%: A-
77-79.9%: C+
64-66.9%: D
87-89.9%: B+
74-76.9%: C
60-63.9%: D-
84-86.9%: B-
70-73.9%: C-
0 – 50.9%: F
Blackboard
A copy of this syllabus is posted in our Blackboard site. (Go to http://blackboard.umkc.edu.)
Important course information and reminders (e.g., class cancellations, schedule changes, etc.)
also will be posted as "Announcements" on our Blackboard site.
Dr. Wood’s Course Policies
Participation and Attendance: Your regular attendance and active participation are
important to this student-centered class. You will be allowed two unexcused absences; your
grade will be lowered by one letter for each subsequent absence. If you miss class for medical
reasons or emergencies, please provide appropriate documentation. You are responsible for
obtaining handouts and notes from classmates for the days that you miss.
You are expected to be prepared to talk about the assignment for each class; the reading
schedule indicates the texts and pages that you should have read by that date. Being on time
for class is essential; three late arrivals will count as one absence.
Electronic Usage Policy: All cell phones must be turned off during class: texting, and taking
or making calls, are not allowed. One warning will be issued, and points will be deducted if you
continue to violate this policy. Laptops may be used to take notes; any other use will be
penalized.
Written Work: All written work for this class must be typed in 11- or 12-point font, doublespaced with one-inch margins, and use the discipline-appropriate style for formatting and
citations. Please submit hard copy. Late work will not be accepted. If you have problems
meeting an assignment due date, please talk to me before the deadline.
Plagiarism: Intentionally using someone’s words or ideas as your own is a serious offense in
the university that can result in reprimand, suspension, and expulsion. We will review MLA rules
on proper citation and documentation of sources in class. If you have further questions, please
see me. If I detect plagiarism on any assignment, you will receive an F for that assignment. For
more details about university policies on academic misconduct and plagiarism, go to
http://cas.umkc.edu/cpr
The Writing Studio
The staff of the Writing Studio assists all levels of writers at UMKC, including graduate students
and faculty members. Consultants can help you develop ideas for your papers, articulate your
thesis, organize your material, and hone your grammar skills. I strongly encourage you to take
advantage of the Writing Studio’s free services. You can schedule an appointment by calling
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816.235.1146. The Writing Studio has two locations: the first floor of Miller Nichols Library, and
the Atterbury Student Success Center.
UMKC Resources and Policies (August 2015)
Academic Calendar: Students are encouraged to review important add, drop or withdraw
dates: http://www.umkc.edu/registrar/acal.asp
Academic Honesty: The Board of Curators of the University of Missouri recognizes that
academic honesty is essential for the intellectual life of the University. Faculty members have a
special obligation to expect high standards of academic honesty in all student work. Students
have a special obligation to adhere to such standards. Academic dishonesty, including cheating,
plagiarism or sabotage, is adjudicated through the University of Missouri Student Conduct Code
and Rules of Procedures in Student Conduct Matters.
(Academic units may have additional student codes of behavior to be referenced, i.e. Honor
Codes.)
Academic Inquiry, Course Discussion and Privacy: University of Missouri System
Executive Order No. 38 lays out principles regarding the sanctity of classroom discussions at the
university. The policy is described fully in Section 200.015 of the Collected Rules and
Regulations. In this class, students may make audio or video recordings of course activity
unless specifically prohibited by the faculty member. However, the redistribution of any audio or
video recordings of statements or comments from the course to individuals who are not
students in the course is prohibited without the express permission of the faculty member and
of any students who are recorded, including those recordings prepared by an instructor.
Students found to have violated this policy are subject to discipline in accordance with
provisions of Section 200.020 of the Collected Rules and Regulations of the University of
Missouri pertaining to student conduct matters.
Attendance Policy: Students are expected to attend and participate in classes. Advance
notice of attendance policies of academic units and individual instructors should be given, and
such notice should be in writing. Students should notify instructors of excused absences in
advance, where possible. Students who have an excused absence are expected to make
arrangements with instructors for alternative or make-up work. Such arrangements should be
made in advance of the absence, where possible. Instructors should accommodate excused
absences to the extent that an accommodation can be made that does not unreasonably
interfere with the learning objectives of the course or unduly burden the instructor. Attendance
policies shall be applied in a non-discriminatory manner.
Campus Safety: Inclement weather, mass notification, and emergency response guide:
http://www.umkc.edu/umkcalert/
Counseling and Health Services Available at UMKC: UMKC students may experience
many challenges in their lives while attending college – stress, depression, suicidality, trauma,
relationship issues, health concerns, etc. As your professor I care about your success and wellbeing, and want to make you aware of some helpful resources on campus. The UMKC
Counseling Center (www.umkc.edu/counselingcenter), located at 4825 Troost in Room 206,
offers a wide range of supportive services to students. Appointments can be made by calling
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816.235.1635. UMKC Student Health and Wellness (http://info.umkc.edu/studenthealth/),
located at 4825 Troost in Room 115, offers a full range of health care and promotion
services. Appointments can be scheduled online or by calling 816.235.6133. The MindBody
Connection (www.umkc.edu/mindbody) is located in the Atterbury Student Success Center in
Room 112 and offers a variety of stress-reduction services.
Disability Support Services: To obtain disability related accommodations and/or auxiliary
aids, students with disabilities must contact the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities
(OSSD) as soon as possible. To contact OSSD, call (816) 235-5696. Once verified, OSSD will
notify the course instructor and outline the accommodation and/or auxiliary aids to be provided.
For more information go to: http://www.umkc.edu/disability/
English Proficiency Statement: Students who encounter difficulty in their courses because
of the English proficiency of their instructors should speak directly with their instructors. If
additional assistance is needed, students may contact the UMKC Help Line at 816-235-2222 for
assistance.
Grade Appeal Policy: Students are responsible for meeting the standards of academic
performance established for each course in which they are enrolled. The establishment of the
criteria for grades and the evaluation of student academic performance are the responsibilities
of the instructor.
The University grade appeal procedure is available only for the review of allegedly capricious
grading and not for review of the instructor's evaluation of the student's academic performance.
Capricious grading, as that term is used here, comprises any of the following:
• The assignment of a grade to a particular student on some basis other than the performance
in the course;
• The assignment of a grade to a particular student according to more exacting or demanding
standards than were applied to other students in the course; (Note: Additional or different
grading criteria may be applied to graduate students enrolled for graduate credit in 300- and
400-level courses.)
• The assignment of a grade by a substantial departure from the instructor's previously
announced standards.
Discrimination Grievance Procedures for Students: Discrimination Grievance Procedures
for Students can be found here:
http://www.umsystem.edu/ums/rules/collected_rules/grievance/ch390/grievance_390.010
Statement of Human Rights: The Board of Curators and UMKC are committed to the policy
of equal opportunity, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin,
age, disability and status as a Vietnam era veteran. Commitment to the policy is mentored by
the Division of Diversity, Access & Equity, but it is the responsibility of the entire university
community to provide equal opportunity through relevant practices, initiatives and programs.
Title IX: Under the University of Missouri’s Title IX policy, discrimination, violence and
harassment based on sex, gender, and gender identity are subject to the same kinds of
accountability and support applied to offenses based on other protected characteristics such as
race, color, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, religion, age, ancestry, disability,
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military status, and veteran status. If you or someone you know has been harassed or
assaulted, you can find the appropriate resources by visiting UMKC’s Title IX Office webpage
(http://info.umkc.edu/title9/) or contacting UMKC’s Title IX Coordinator, Mikah K. Thompson
(816.235.6910 or thompsonmikah@umkc.edu). Additionally, you can file a complaint using
UMKC’s online discrimination complaint form, which is located at
http://info.umkc.edu/title9/reporting/report-online/.
While most UMKC employees are required to report any known or suspected violation of Title IX,
students may seek confidential guidance from the following campus locations:
UMKC Counseling Service
Volker Campus
4825 Troost Ave, Suite 206
Kansas City, MO 64110
Phone – (816) 235-1635
UMKC Counseling Service
Health Sciences Campus
Health Sciences Building
1418
2464 Charlotte
Kansas City, MO 64108
Phone – (816) 235-1635
(open Tuesdays, 1-5pm)
Student Health and
Wellness
4825 Troost Ave., Suite 115
Kansas City, MO 64110
Phone - (816) 235-6133
UMKC Connect: Important information is available to undergraduate students in UMKC Connect
accessed through Blackboard. Throughout the term, students may receive emails regarding
course grades or academic performance. Students are expected to address information posted in
a timely fashion. This information may be shared with the student’s Success Network made up
his or her academic advisor(s) and other campus resources so that UMKC may fully support the
student’s success.
Course Schedule (subject to change)
Getting Started
August 24: Introductions
August 26: “Becoming a Researcher,” “Thinking in Print,” and “Connecting with Your Reader,”
The Craft of Research (COR), pgs. 3-27
August 28: Survey Kansas City history texts and share findings
August 31: Survey Kansas City history texts and share findings
September 2: Skim “2014 Annual Review” of the Mid-America Regional Council (posted on
Blackboard); guest speaker Steve Paul of The Kansas City Star
September 4: Brainstorming research questions; Researcher’s Notebook #1 due
September 7: Labor Day—NO CLASS
September 9: Elie Hudson on her KC public education research
September 11: Guest speaker Lexy Cockrell on using Kansas City resources for research
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September 14: “Researching Archives: Locating Culture” from Fieldworking (posted on
Blackboard)
September 16: Meet at circulation desk of Miller Nichols Library for tour of LaBudde Special
Collections at Miller Nichols Library
September 18: Researcher’s Notebook #2 due
Asking Questions and Finding Answers
September 21: “Asking Questions and Finding Answers,” COR, pgs. 31-67
September 23: “Asking Questions and Finding Answers,” COR, pgs. 68-101
September 25: Research Proposal due
September 28: Research Workshop at Miller Nichols Library
September 30: Research Workshop at Miller Nichols Library
October 2: Research Affinity Groups (RAG) meet; Researcher’s Notebook #3 due
October 5: RAG meetings
October 7: RAG meetings
October 9: Annotated Bibliography due
Reporting Findings
October 12: “Making a Claim and Supporting It,” COR, pgs. 105-129
October 14: “Making a Claim and Supporting It,” COR, pgs. 130-151
October 16: “Planning,” and “Drafting Your Report,” COR, pgs. 173-201; Researcher’s
Notebook #4 due
October 19: Research Paper Workshop
October 21: Research Paper Workshop
October 23: RAG Peer Response: first draft of Research Paper due: bring two copies to
class; Dr. Wood will offer comments by Monday
October 26: Read “Introductions and Conclusions,” COR, pgs. 232-248
October 28: RAG Peer Response: Second draft of Research Paper due; submit
to faculty advisor
October 30: NO CLASS
November 2: Read “Revising Your Organization and Argument,” COR, pgs. 203-212
November 4: Read Zinsser’s “Simplicity” and “Clutter” (handout)
November 6: NO CLASS: Meet your faculty advisor by this date
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Sharing Your Research
November 9: Explore publication possibilities; Faculty Advisor Report due
November 11: NO CLASS
November 13: Research Paper due
November 16: Read “Communicating Evidence Visually,” COR, pgs. 213-231; Presentation
Workshop
November 18: Presentation Workshop
November 20: RAG Peer Response on Presentations; Submission Plan due
November 23-27: Thanksgiving—NO CLASS
November 30: Five-minute Presentations by three students
December 2: Five-minute Presentations by three students
December 4: Self-Reflection Workshop; Researcher’s Notebook #5 due (evaluation of
presentations)
2-2:50 p.m. December 7: Make Presentations in Honors Discourse 300, Bloch Heritage Hall,
Room 3
December 9: Last class: evaluations; Self-Reflection and Researcher’s Notebook due
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Researching Kansas City Research Paper Rubric
Criteria
Exceeds
Meets
Expectations
Expectations
Analysis of
event,
experience,
action, or
interaction
Approaches
Expectations
Effective
analysis of
event,
experience,
action, or
interaction
Effective
conveyance
of values and
civic duty
Effective use
of ethical
theory and
moral
reasoning
Adequate
analysis of
event,
experience,
action, or
interaction
Adequate
conveyance
of values and
civic duty
Adequate use
of ethical
theory and
moral
reasoning
Average
analysis of
event,
experience,
action, or
interaction
Average
conveyance
of values and
civic duty
Average use
of ethical
theory and
moral
reasoning
Research
Question
Effectively
focused,
relevant, and
articulated
Adequately
focused,
relevant, and
articulated
Somewhat
focused,
relevant, and
articulated
Information
Effective
compilation
and use of
reputable
and valid
primary and
secondary
sources
Effective use
of
appropriate
means of
analysis
Effectively
meets
conventions
and
contributes
significant
new
knowledge to
the field
Adequate
compilation
and use of
reputable
and valid
primary and
secondary
sources
Adequate use
of
appropriate
means of
analysis
Adequately
meets
conventions
and
contributes
new
knowledge to
the field
Average
compilation
and use of
reputable
and valid
primary and
secondary
sources
Average use
of
appropriate
means of
analysis
Average
meeting of
conventions
and limited
contribution
of new
knowledge to
the field
Conveying
values and
civic duty
Use of ethical
theory and
moral
reasoning
Methodology
Disciplinary
conventions
and
contribution
Minimally
Approaches
Expectations
Poor analysis
of event,
experience,
action, or
interaction
Does Not
Approach
Expectations
No analysis
of event,
experience,
action, or
interaction
Poor
conveyance
of values and
civic duty
Poor use of
ethical theory
and moral
reasoning
No
conveyance
of values and
civic duty
No use of
ethical theory
and moral
reasoning
Poorly
focused, not
relevant, and
poorly
articulated
Poor
compilation
and use of
questionable
primary and
secondary
sources
Little or no
focus,
irrelevant,
and not
articulated
Unacceptable
compilation
and use of
questionable
primary and
secondary
sources
Poor use or
inappropriate
means of
analysis
No use of
appropriate
means of
analysis
Poor meeting
of
conventions
and
contribution
of new
knowledge to
the field
Does not
meet
conventions
or contribute
new
knowledge to
the field
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