McNair Scholars Program
ETHN 199: Research and Methodology Course
COURSE SYLLABUS
Spring 2010
Instructor:
Office:
Office Phone:
Email:
Michele S. Foss-Snowden, Ph.D.
MND 5015
(916) 278-6134
msf43@saclink.csus.edu (preferred)
Class Time:
Classroom:
Office Hours:
Mailbox:
M 2 – 4PM
MND 1024
T 3 – 6PM, or by appointment
COMS Office, MND 5014
Learning Objectives:
The two major goals for this class are that you learn to think critically and write well. More specifically,
there are several student learning objectives. This course is meant to provide you with:
-
An introduction to the importance of original research
-
Experience in academic writing, specifically writing a research proposal and starting a research
project in your chosen field of study1
-
A foundation for the Summer Research Project (in which you will collect and analyze data and
write and edit a final research paper)
Assignments:
Research Proposal
As described in the course objectives listed above, the goal of this Spring class is to provide you with an
understanding of how to create an effective research proposal. Most of the work you will do in this class
is designed to help you complete your proposal, and as such, it will account for a large portion of your
grade. Your proposal should contain the following segments: 1) title page, 2) abstract, 3) introduction and
purpose statement, 4) research question and hypotheses, 5) literature review, 6) method and 7) references.
During the summer research course, you will conduct the research proposed at the end of this semester
and you will add the results/discussion section to your paper, creating a full research project. You are not
required to wait until the summer to begin your data collection and analysis. You may turn in your
proposal when it is complete. Upon approval of your proposal, you may take the next steps.
You will learn about and submit one piece of the proposal at a time. The order in which these
assignments are due will not follow the order in which they will appear in the final product. Much as you
cannot draw a map to a location where you’ve never been, you cannot write an effective introduction until
you know what it is you’re introducing. It makes no sense to write an abstract for a proposal that has no
review of literature, no discussion of method, and so on.
Please plan your schedule so you have time to think about each assignment before it is due. You would
be wise to leave yourself enough time to create multiple drafts. All research takes careful thought and
clear language. Often the difference between "A" work and "B" work is not that something is right or
wrong, but that the "A" work is more carefully conceived and constructed.
Read your work when you feel it is complete, then use spell-check, and then read it again, and then ask a
friend (or another scholar) to read it for you. Remember, you are expected to perform above a college
level in your written work. Misspelling simple words and ignoring obvious typographical errors (even on
a draft) will cause your grade to be lowered. Take pride in your work.
In general, if you see a problem with meeting established deadlines, talk to me about it when it happens,
1
The McNair Program Director and your Faculty Mentor must approve your proposal before you can
begin your data collection and/or analysis.
COMS 103—Dr. Foss-Snowden
2
not the minute before the assignment is due. If you miss a presentation or an assignment, you put
your status as a McNair scholar at risk. To pass the class, you must complete the work. To participate
in our summer activities, you must pass the class. Of course, I understand that life will not pause for you
so that you can write your literature review, and I understand that you are busy people. I, too, am very
busy. However, part of learning how to be a scholar is learning how to make sure all of your
responsibilities are covered.
Response Essays
A very wise advisor of mine once told me that the best way to learn to write is to start writing. I will pass
his advice on to you, and give you these weekly opportunities to write. You can choose the topic of your
response; you might respond to a question I’ve asked the class, you might be inspired by something in an
assigned or outside reading, you might want to conduct a self-evaluation, or you might want to continue a
discussion started, but not finished, during class. These essays should not be more than two pages in
length, which means you will need to be that much more concise in your argument. We will open each
week’s session with a chance for you to present your response to the class. These presentations are
designed to give you practice in discussing your ideas in an informal format.
Peer Review
We will use peer editing as a way to improve your writing. For the largest two portions of your proposal
(the literature review and the method section), you will share a draft (not a first draft or a rough draft but
an edited draft) of your work with your colleagues. The benefits of peer review are many, but the most
immediate two are the following: 1) you will receive constructive criticism of your work, and 2) by
critiquing the work of others, you will learn how to be more critical of your own work.
As McNair Scholars, you are more than just classmates. You are like a team, or a family. You are
obviously here to better yourself, but you are expected to commit to the success of your cohort as well. In
terms specific to the peer review, if you are unprepared for the activity (as a writer and/or as a reviewer),
the damage will not stay nicely fenced in your own back yard. Regardless of how you feel about working
in groups, cooperation and collaboration are an integral part of the McNair Scholars Program. You might
not enjoy it, but you are expected to dedicate yourself to the group process.
Proposal Presentation:
Our discussions of your response essays are an informal way for you to practice your presentation skills.
The Proposal Presentation, conversely, is a formal way for you prepare for the speaking situations in your
future (both as a McNair Scholar AND as a future graduate student). Your presentation will be evaluated
in three areas: 1) preparation, 2) organization, and 3) delivery. You will have 9 – 11 minutes to present
and an additional 5 minutes for questions. Further details of this assignment will be discussed in class.
Participation:
Due to the unique collaborative nature of this class, attendance is required and will be considered in your
final grade evaluation (credit/no credit). You have ONE free absence (which can be used on purpose or
banked in case of emergency). I will consider excessive absences a withdrawal from the class, and the
McNair Scholars Program.
If you do miss class, it is YOUR responsibility to find out (outside of class time, please) what you missed.
Some discussions may presume you understand major news events. In order to participate, you will need
to open yourself to this kind of information.
Assessments:
▪ Research Proposal
- Abstract (100 wd. and 250 wd. versions)
- Research Question and Purpose Statement
- Method
- Introduction
- Literature Review
COMS 103—Dr. Foss-Snowden
3
▪ Response Essays
▪ Peer Review
- Literature Review
- Method
▪ Proposal Presentation
▪ Participation
- Discussion/In-class activities
Grading:
Grading in this class will be based on a Credit/No Credit scale. If you complete all assignments,
you will receive credit, plain and simple!
Classroom Etiquette:
Please turn off your cell phone or any other audible device you might have when you enter the classroom.
Even the sound of a vibrating phone is distracting to those around you. If the phone is off, you will not be
tempted to use it for text messaging. Please do not allow me the opportunity to show you how creative I
can be when your phone rings in the middle of our discussion or, in the worst-case scenario, during a
fellow scholar’s presentation.
The more you actively attend to the information being delivered, the more you will get from this research
class and this program. In other words, if you are chatting with your neighbor or reading the paper or
visiting alien planets in your mind, you are not only missing important information, but you are also
keeping others from that information.
I expect you to be good citizens and active participants in the learning process, which means you should
use common sense as to what is and what is not acceptable in the classroom. Please come to class
prepared for the day’s activities. Please respect the opinions of others. You may not always agree with
the views of your classmates and/or instructor, but we must all agree to respect diversity in experiences,
thoughts, and comments. Such respect strengthens us as a class, a cohort, a campus, and a people.
Other Important Information:
If you have any questions, your first step should be consulting this syllabus. You’ll find most of the
answers you are looking for, and you’ll save us both the awkward moment when I tell you to go read the
syllabus.
Start thinking about each assignment as soon as possible. The semester will move quickly and you will
thank yourself later for planning ahead now.
Changes:
I reserve the right to make changes to this syllabus should I determine that such changes would better
meet your needs as students in this class. I will give you as much notice about such changes as possible.
Remember that we are learning together!
Sacramento State University’s Policy on Plagiarism and Academic Honesty:
At CSUS plagiarism is the use of distinctive ideas or works belonging to another person without
providing adequate acknowledgement of that person’s contribution. Regardless of the means of
appropriation, incorporation of another’s work into one’s own requires adequate identification and
acknowledgement. Plagiarism is doubly unethical because it deprives the author of rightful credit and
gives credit to someone who has not earned it. Acknowledgement is not necessary when the material used
is common knowledge. For more detail, go to: http://www.csus.edu/admbus/umanual/UMA00150.htm.
As McNair Scholars, you MUST hold yourselves to the HIGHEST standards where academic honesty is
concerned. Because of who you are, you will ALWAYS face increased scrutiny. Give your doubters no
ammunition in this regard.
COMS 103—Dr. Foss-Snowden
4
Dr. Foss-Snowden’s Policy on Plagiarism and Academic Honesty:
ANY USE OF PLAGIARIZED MATERIAL OR ANY INSTANCE OF CHEATING WILL RESULT IN
IMMEDIATE REMOVAL FROM THE MCNAIR SCHOLARS PROGRAM. Save yourself (and me)
the headache and learn to respect academic honesty now. If you’d like to hear a horror story, I’ve got a
doozy!
Tentative Schedule:
WEEK ONE:
January 25
Discussion:
Assignments due:
Dr. F presents on “Black Women in the Media”
[AIRC 3006, 6pm…free!]
January 28
WEEK TWO:
February 1
WEEK THREE:
February 8
Discussion:
Readings:
Assignments due:
Structuring Academic Inquiry
Research article (please bring to class)
Response Essay #1
Student Information Sheet
Schedule meetings with faculty mentor
Discussion:
Assignments due:
The Purpose Statement and the Research Question
Response Essay #2
WEEK FOUR:
February 15
President’s Furlough Day
[classes will not be held; campus closed]
February 18
WEEK FIVE:
February 22
WEEK SIX:
March 1
WEEK SEVEN:
March 8
WEEK EIGHT:
March 15
WEEK NINE:
March 22
Introduction to course and each other
What is research?
Role of mentors
Select faculty mentor (if you have not already done so)
Black History Showcase
Dr. F will discuss issues in African American education
[University Union Ballroom, 6:30 – 8:30pm…free!]
Discussion:
Assignments due:
Reviewing the Literature
Finalize topic with faculty mentor
Response Essay #3
Discussion:
Assignments due:
Writing Strategies
Response Essay #4
Discussion:
Assignments due:
Methodology
Introduction/Purpose Statement/RQ
Meet with faculty mentor
Discussion:
Assignments due:
Peer Review #1: Literature Review
Response Essay #5
Discussion:
Assignments due:
Source Citation
Peer Evaluation #1
Response Essay #6
COMS 103—Dr. Foss-Snowden
WEEK TEN:
March 29
WEEK ELEVEN:
April 5
Spring Break!
Assignments due:
Classes will not be held.
Literature Review
Discussion:
GRE Workshop
(Start writing your method section!)
Response Essay #7
Assignments due:
WEEK TWELVE:
April 12
Discussion:
Assignments due:
WEEK THIRTEEN:
April 19
WEEK FOURTEEN:
April 26
Peer Review #2: Method
Response Essay #9
Discussion:
Discussion/Results/Analysis section
(While you finish up your method section, I hope you’re writing
your Discussion/Results/Analysis section!)
Peer Evaluation #2
Discussion:
Assignments due:
WEEK SIXTEEN:
May 10
FINALS WEEK:
May 21
Basics of Presentation
(please bring laptop if possible)
Response Essay #8
Meet with faculty mentor
Discussion:
Assignments due:
Assignments due:
WEEK FIFTEEN:
May 3
5
Discussion:
Proposal Presentations
(James, Nino, Jairet, Vanessa, Alexzander, Yadira, Susan, Kiara,
Rachanee, Nazia)
Method section
Assignments due:
Proposal Presentations
(Sunny, Zoua, Megan, Laureen, Nia, Travis, Lee, Sara, Marque)
Response Essay #10
Assignments due:
First draft of journal article
COMS 103—Dr. Foss-Snowden
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Student Information Sheet and Course Information Contract:
NOTE: All responses will be kept confidential. If you have any concerns or questions, please come see me or your
graduate assistant.
Name: ___________________________________________________________________________________
Major and Concentration: _____________________________________________________________________
Telephone number (in case of emergency only): ___________________________________ C or H (circle one)
E-mail address:
What are your learning objectives for this course (i.e., what do you most want to learn)?
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How will you know if/when you have achieved these objectives?
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What are your strengths and weaknesses as a student?
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What are your current career objectives?
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What should I know about you as a student? How are you unique?
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After reading the syllabus, do you have any questions (relevant or otherwise) for me?
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Please read and sign the following statement:
I understand that I am responsible for the information contained within this syllabus. Specifically, I understand the
importance of classroom etiquette and academic ethics (particularly concerning plagiarism).
Signed: ____________________________________________________
Date: ___________________