Course Title: Research Methods; 3 credit hrs.
Fall ‘15 Location: Ev 258 [except when otherwise noted]
Class Meeting Times: 6.00 pm Mondays (80497)
English 5330
SYLLABUS
Fall 2015
Adams
Evans 110
3.00-5.00 pm T/Th or appt.
REQUIRED TEXTS:
1) MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. Ed. MLA. 7th ed. New York:
Modern Language Association, 2009.
2) Harner, James L. Literary Research Guide. 5th ed. New York: MLA, 2008.
3) Gaskell, Philip. A New Introduction to Bibliography. Reissue ed. New Castle,
DE: Oak Knoll Books, 2012.
>>
http://www.oakknoll.com/
AUGUST 31: Introduction to Course (Assumptions, Methodology, etc.)
SEPTEMBER 14: The Differences between Scholarship & Literary Criticism
Reading: Robert Browning, “The Bishop Orders His Tomb at St. Praxed’s Church”
http://www.bartleby.com/42/669.html
Chaucer, “The Prioress’s Prologue and Tale”
http://sites.fas.harvard.edu/~chaucer/teachslf/pri-par.htm
SEPTEMBER 21: Discussion on Post-Modernist Worldview & Methodology
Readings: (1) John Ellis, "Class and Perfect Egalitarianism" (ch. 5 from Literature Lost:
Social Agendas and the Corruption of the Humanities
http://www.shsu.edu/~eng_www/Adams/Ellis.pdf
(2) Mark Bauerlein, "Social Constructionism:
Philosophy for the Academic Workplace"
http://www.shsu.edu/~eng_www/Adams/Bauerlein.html
(3) The Sokal Hoax
http://www.physics.nyu.edu/sokal/transgress_v2/transgress_v2_singlefile.html
(4) Sokal's Explanations of the Hoax
http://www.physics.nyu.edu/sokal/lingua_franca_v4/lingua_franca_v4.html
http://www.physics.nyu.edu/sokal/afterword_v1a/afterword_v1a_singlefile.html
SEPTEMBER 28: Lecture on MLA Handbook
Reading: MLA Handbook, chs. 2-6
Distribute Documentation Problems &
Reading Handout ("All the Pope's Men")
http://www.shsu.edu/~eng_www/Adams/PDF/Pope's Men.pdf
OCTOBER 5: Lecture on Textual Editing
Readings: (1) "All the Pope's Men" (Handout)
Distribute Sample Problem ("Gettysburg Address")
Documentation Assignment Due
OCTOBER 12: Lecture on Textual Editing
Distribute Mystery Text for Editing
OCTOBER 19: Lecture on Textual Editing
Problems?
OCTOBER 26: Lecture on Analytic Bibliography
Reading: Philip Gaskell, A New Introduction to Bibliography
Textual Editing Assignment Due
Distribute Analytic Problems
NOVEMBER 2: Lecture on Analytic Bibliography
(meet @ Newton Gresham special collections on 4th floor)
Reading: Philip Gaskell, A New Introduction to Bibliography
Distribute #1 Set of Research Problems
NOVEMBER 9: Lecture on Internet Referencing
Distribute Sets #2, #3 & #4 of Research Problems
Analytic Problems Due
NOVEMBER 16: Lecture on Internet Referencing
NOVEMBER 23:
Lecture on Internet Referencing
NOVEMBER 30:
Lecture on Internet Referencing
Reference problems are due Monday, Dec. 7th, by 5 pm.
Course Evaluation: Your work will be weighted as follows:
1. Research Problems---------------- 40%
2. Editing Problem-------------------- 30%
3. Analytic Problems----------------- 20%
4. Documentation Problems-------- 10%
Grading Scale: A = 100-92
B = 91-83 C = 82-70 (No Ds are
No penalties for absence, but all work must be turned in when due.
given in MA-level classes)
The purpose of ENGLISH 5330
This course introduces students inductively to the processes and techniques of serious textual
and historical scholarship focused on literature: the discovery, retrieval, and accurate display
of all possible factual information relevant to explaining specific literary texts and their
original cultural contexts. Having successfully completed this course, students will be able to
conduct efficient, reliable and innovative literary research on their own -- in primary sources
-- without constant dependence on others for expert opinions and bibliography. In addition,
students will be able to locate and confidently evaluate for themselves both (1) the most
current and (2) the most persuasive scholarship available in their chosen literary field.
Random SHSU-mandated information: Student Absences on Religious Holy Days Policy Section 51.911(b) of the Texas Education
Code requires that an institution of higher education excuse a student from attending classes or other required activities, including
examinations, for the observance of a religious holy day, including travel for that purpose. Section 51.911(a)(2) defines religious holy
days as: "a holy day observed by a religion whose places of worship are exempt from property taxation under Section 11.20, Tax
Code...."A student whose absence is excused under this subsection may not be penalized for that absence and shall be allowed to take an
examination or complete an assignment from which the student is excused within a reasonable time after the absence. University policy
861001 provides the procedures to be followed by the student and instructor. A student desiring to absent himself/herself from a
scheduled class in order to observe (a) religious holy day(s) shall present to each instructor involved a written statement concerning the
religious holy day(s). The instructor will notify the student of a reasonable timeframe in which the missed assignments and/or
examinations are to be completed.
Americans With Disabilities Act: SHSU adheres to all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and guidelines with respect to
providing reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. If you have a disability that may affect adversely your work in this
class, then I encourage you to register with the SHSU Services for Students with Disabilities (located in the Lee Drain Annex -- telephone 936-2943512, TDD 936-294-3786, and e-mail disability@shsu.edu) and to talk with me about how I can best help you. All disclosures of disabilities
will be kept strictly confidential. NOTE: No accommodation can be made until you register with the Services for Students with Disabilities. For a
complete discussion of the university policy, see: http://www.shsu.edu/dotAsset/7ff819c3-39f3-491d-b688-db5a330ced92.pdf
A course evaluation form will be offered near the end of the semester. Unannounced visitors to class must present a current, official
SHSU identification card to be permitted into the classroom. They must not present a disruption to the class by their attendance. If the
visitor is not a registered student, it is at the instructor's discretion whether or not the visitor will be allowed to remain in the classroom.
If anyone creates a serious disturbance in the classroom and refuses to leave, I will have that person removed by force.
Academic Dishonesty: All students are expected to engage in all academic pursuits in a manner that is above reproach. Students are
expected to maintain complete honesty and integrity in the academic experiences both in and out of the classroom. Any student found
guilty of dishonesty in any phase of academic work will be subject to disciplinary action. The University and its official representatives
may initiate disciplinary proceedings against a student accused of any form of academic dishonesty including, but not limited to,
cheating on an examination or other academic work which is to be submitted, plagiarism, collusion and the abuse of resource materials.
SHSU Student Code of Conduct:
http://www.shsu.edu/students/guide/StudentGuidelines2013-2016.pdf
(see pp. 34-43).