English 271A: Introduction to Research Methods
Spring 2016, 3hrs.
Monday/Wednesday, 12:00-1:15
Location: Jennings Annex 104
Dr. Price
Jennings 316
sprice@mc.edu
601.925.3333
Catalog Course Description:
Reading and analysis of selected research models; introductory study and practice in research
methods relevant to composition studies and English education; practice in primary and
secondary research; practice in various modes of writing and presentation of research.
Prerequisites: Completion of English 101 and 102 or 103 (transfer equivalent).
Course Objectives:
English 271 is the introductory research course for students majoring in English with the Writing
Concentration or in English Education. By the end of the course, the student will be able to:
1. Read, analyze, and evaluate published research;
2. Narrow and focus research topics and research questions;
3. Design and conduct primary research projects to address specific research questions;
and,
4. Compose the various sections of a research project, including an abstract, literature
review, methodology, and analysis/findings.
U Research Goals:
This section of ENG 102 includes an information literacy emphasis as part of U Research, MC’s
Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). In ENG 271, we will adapt and elevate information literacy
skills, previously introduced in ENG 102, to reflect their particular use for research in Writing
and English Education. We will discuss, practice, and complicate these information literacy
goals1:
 Determining the nature and extent of the information needed
 Accessing information efficiently and effectively
 Evaluating information critically
 Using information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose
 Understanding larger issues surrounding the use of information (economic, legal, and
social) and using information ethically
Course Methods:
This course will be conducted as an interactive seminar and workshop for research and writing.
Extensive and engaged individual and collaborative participation (including collaborative major
projects) is required.
1
FYI: Two specific student learning outcomes will be assessed in the Analysis / Evaluation of Published Research
Report project: 3a: Evaluate information and its sources using appropriate criteria; 3b: Identify main ideas and their
potential relevance, summarizing and synthesizing key ideas.
Required Course Texts:
 Readings will be provided or will be available online.
(You can expect a large amount of material to be distributed in ENG 271—
handouts, copies of chapters, scholarly articles, texts/data for analysis, etc. Work
to keep everything clearly organized, and you’ll find that the materials can be
useful throughout the semester and in later Writing courses.)
Grading Scale:
A=90-100, B=80-89, C=70-79, D=60-69, F=59 or below.
Assignments and Evaluation:
Students will complete a variety of written and oral assignments that will demonstrate their
mastery of course material and help to build their research abilities. Each unit may include
readings, informal preparation assignments, informal writing, or other preparation work.
Detailed unit plans will be provided for each of these major assignments during the semester:





Survey Project
Discourse / Textual Analysis Project
Interview Project
Analysis / Evaluation of Published Research Report
Performance and Professionalism
(We’ll meet individually around midterms to discuss
your P/P points. You should also keep track of your
attendance and scores on daily work, which I’ll hand
back using “check,” “check plus,” “check minus” scores.)
Due Dates for Major Projects (subject to change):
 Survey Project
 Discourse / Textual Analysis Project
 Interview Project
 Analysis / Evaluation of Published Research Report
25 points
25 points
25 points
15 points
10 points
February 15 (Mon.)
March 18 (Fri.)
April 20 (Wed.)
April 29,
3:00 pm (Fri.)
Resources Related to Undergraduate Research:
 Council on Undergraduate Research
http://www.cur.org
 National Conferences on Undergraduate Research
http://www.cur.org/conferences_and_events/student_events/ncur/
 Young Scholars in Writing: Undergraduate Research in Writing and Rhetoric
http://cas.umkc.edu/english/publications/youngscholarsinwriting/default.asp
 Queen City Writers: A Journal of Undergraduate Writing and Composing
http://qc-writers.com
 XChanges
http://infohost.nmt.edu/%7Exchanges/
Performance & Professionalism:
At the end of the semester, your professor will review your daily work (including informal
responses, drafts, and other occasional daily assignments[, which for ENG 271 includes
responses to scholarly articles, quizzes on articles, and drafts of surveys and interview
questions], along with your preparation for, engagement in, and contributions to the class.
She or he will then assign a “Performance & Professionalism” score, which reflects the
overall impression you presented during class. This score contributes up to ten points
toward your final grade.
The following descriptions will help you understand how the Performance &
Professionalism points are determined:
Description
EXCEPTIONAL: Consistently makes substantial contributions to
class and is exceptionally engaged in class activities. Highly
responsible and maintains professional interactions with professor
and other students. All work is of exceptional quality, fully
completed and submitted on time.
STRONG: Usually makes substantial contributions to class and is
solidly engaged in class activities. Highly responsible and
maintains professional interactions with professor and other
students. All work is high quality, fully completed and submitted
on time.
GOOD: Usually makes substantial contributions to class and is
solidly engaged in class activities. Responsible and maintains
professional interactions with professor and other students. All
work is good quality, fully completed and submitted on time.
ACCEPTABLE: Occasionally makes useful contributions to class
and is generally engaged in class activities. Usually responsible
and professional in interactions. Work is usually good quality,
fully complete, and submitted on time.
INCONSISTENT: Contributions to class and engagement in class
activities may vary. Somewhat responsible and sometimes
professional in interactions. Work may vary in quality,
completeness, and/or on-time submission.
WEAK: Contributions to class and participation in class activities
are sporadic; not always responsible or professional in
interactions. Work may vary in quality, completeness, and/or ontime submission.
POOR: Is usually weak in contributing to class and/or disengaged
in class activities. Not always responsible or professional in
interactions. Work tends to be below average quality and/or
incomplete and/or late.
UNACCEPTABLE: Contributions to and participation in class
may be very weak and/or work tends to be very low quality, late,
or missing.
Points
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3 and
lower
Portfolio and Program Assessment:
Students majoring in English with the Writing Concentration, as well as Writing minors
possibly interested in completing English 471, should retain electronic and hard copies of
all major essays/projects submitted for courses that count toward their major (or Writing
minor). English 471 will include a capstone portfolio project which will be built, in part,
from papers completed for previous courses.
Note that student work may be retained and used by the English Department for the
purposes of course and program assessment and improvement. Individual student work
will not be published by the department without the student’s permission.
The MC Writing Center:
Many tutors in the MC Writing Center are majors or minors in the Writing Program, and
they know that the Writing Center is a key part of the Writing Program. Whether you are
already a tutor, are interested in becoming one, or prefer to leave the tutor experience for
others, remember that the Writing Center is an excellent resource for upper-level writers.
Tutoring is available by appointment and on a walk-in basis, and students can also sign up
for standing, weekly appointments with a specific tutor. Stop by the Writing Center on the
first floor of Leland Speed Library, visit mc.mywconline.com, or call 601-925-7289 to
schedule your appointment (or talk to Dr. Price, Writing Center Director).
English Department / Departmental Policies / Upper-level and Graduate
Attendance: The English Department adheres to Mississippi College’s attendance policy as outlined in
the current Undergraduate Catalog and Graduate Catalog:
Class attendance is an essential part of university education, and students are expected to attend
regularly and punctually all classes and laboratories for which they are registered. Cumulative
absences may result in a lowered grade or loss of credit for the course. Tardiness is also subject
to penalty, as is any failure to complete required class work on time. Although some specific
requirements may vary according to the nature and structure of the course, the following
guidelines summarize university policy:
1.
Class attendance is required, and accurate records are kept.
2.
Students must not accumulate excessive absences.
A student receives a grade of F in a course immediately upon accumulating the following
number of absences, whether excused or unexcused:
12 in semester classes meeting 3 times per week
8 in semester classes meeting 2 times per week
4 in semester classes meeting 1 time per week
4 per session in the Accelerated Degree Program (ADP)
6 in summer day classes
For lesser numbers of absences, the student should expect a lowered grade in the course, with the
maximum penalty of one letter grade for each week of absences (in a semester) or the equivalent.
Absence Appeal. If a student misses more than the number of class periods specified in university
policy and believes that there are reasonable explanations for the absences, he/she may appeal
the absences to the dean of the school in which the course is being taught. Students may obtain a
Student Absence Appeal Form from the office of the appropriate dean.
Academic Integrity Statement: The English Department adheres to Mississippi College’s academic
integrity policy as outlined in the current Undergraduate Catalog and Graduate Catalog:
Mississippi College students are expected to be scrupulously honest. Dishonesty, such as
cheating or plagiarism, or furnishing false information, including forgery, alteration or misuse of
University documents, records or identification, will be regarded as a serious offense subject to
severe penalty, including, but not limited to, loss of credit and possible dismissal. See the current
Mississippi College Student Handbook or University Policy 2.19 for specific information
regarding penalties associated with dishonest behavior at Mississippi College
Late Paper Policy: The English Department has established the following policy for late work submitted
in upper-level and graduate English courses
No major papers or projects will be accepted after the due date except in the case of your
hospitalization or the death of an immediate family member; you may appeal your case, if
necessary, to a departmental committee after filling out an appeals form available from the
department chair.
Grades for other assignments will be reduced according to the following schedule:
•after time due and up to 24 hours late: one letter grade;
•after 24 hours and up to 48 hours late: two letter grades;
•after 48 hours and up to 72 hours late: three letter grades;
•after 72 hours, any paper turned in will be given an “F.”
Failure to turn in an assignment will result in a grade of zero on that assignment.
Student Assistance
A. Early Alert System
Mississippi College has adopted the practice of finding students early in the semester who may be
exhibiting behaviors that could ultimately have a negative impact on their academic progress.
These behaviors are often called “red flag” behaviors and include, but are not limited to,
excessive absences, poor test grades, and lack of class participation or evidence of nonengagement. Identifying these behaviors early gives the instructor the opportunity to raise the
“red flag” on behalf of a particular student so that the student can take the appropriate action to
redirect his/her progress. The system alerts the student, the student’s advisor, and the Office of
Student Success.
These messages are intended to help a student recognize an area of concern and to encourage
him/her to make some choices to improve the situation. When a student receives an Early Alert
message, the student should quickly make an appointment to talk with his/her professor about the
situation. Also, students can make full use of the Office of Student Success to set academic goals
and connect to campus resources.
B. Students with Disabilities
In order for a student to receive disability accommodations under Section 504 of the Americans
with Disabilities Act, he or she must schedule an individual meeting with the Director of Student
Counseling Services immediately upon recognition of their disability (if their disability is known
they must come in before the semester begins or make an appointment immediately upon receipt
of their syllabi for the new semester). The student must bring with them written documentation
from a medical physician and/or licensed clinician that verifies their disability. If the student has
received prior accommodations, they must bring written documentation of those accommodations
(example Individualized Education Plan from the school system). Documentation must be
current (within 3 years).
The student must meet with SCS face-to face and also attend two (2) additional follow up
meetings (one mid semester before or after midterm examinations and the last one at the end of
the semester). Please note that the student may also schedule additional meetings as needed for
support through SCS as they work with their professor throughout the semester. Note: Students
must come in each semester to complete their Individualized Accommodation Plan (example: MC
student completes fall semester IAP plan and even if student is a continuing student for the spring
semester they must come in again to complete their spring semester IAP plan).
Student Counseling Services is located on the 4th floor of Alumni Hall) or they may be contacted
via email at mbryant@mc.edu. You may also reach them by phone at 601-925-7790. Dr. Morgan
Bryant is director of MC Student Counseling Services.