Dr. Cheryl Edelson
English 499
Senior CapstoneSenior Seminar
10:00 and 2:30-4:
Fall 20153
(808) 739-8533
cedelson@chaminade.edu
Office: Henry 206F
Hours: TBAT 9:30-10:00;
W 10:30-12:30;
TH 9:30and by appointment
Senior Capstone Course
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Stonehenge Free Festival circa 1900
Course Description:
This three unit Senior Seminar allows students the opportunity to reflect upon
writing projects undertaken throughout the English major course of study. As such,
the seminar is also designed as a primary means of outcome assessment for students
in the English program. Each student must demonstrate summative competence
through the completion of a Senior Portfolio: a series of papers that have been
previously submitted to English CUH English courses. While more specific
assignment descriptions will be distributed, the overall goal of the Capstone course
and epPortfolio is to allow the student to evaluate, revise, and edit her or his own
work. The portfolio project will include a representative sample of writing genres,
which may include fiction, poetry, critical, and literary essays. Students will also be
required to write an extended research essay for inclusion in the portfolio.
Prerequisite: Senior Standing as an English Major
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Course Required Texts:
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1. Critical Theory Today: A User Friendly Guide (3rd2nd edition) by Lois Tyson
2. Portfolio Keeping: A Guide for Students
by Nedra Reynolds and Rich Rice
3. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
https://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/f/fitzgerald/f_scott/gatsby/index.html
Additional readings and resources will be available on ecollege.
Learning Outcomes
English Program Learning Outcomes (from the 2015-16 CUH catalog)
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Students who complete this program will demonstrate
1. a proficiency in writing through an analytical literary research paper.
2. a proficiency in creative writing through an original production of poetry,
fiction, or non-fiction.
3. the ability to define various literary critical approaches and apply them to
given texts.
4. the ability to define, identify, and articulate major movements/periods in
British and American literature.
5. the ability to critically analyze significant authors, texts, and issues in British
and American literature.
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English 499 Course Learning Outcomes and Assessment
The program assessment for the English Discipline Outcomes are linked to student
coursework (student course learning outcomes) and will be implemented and compiled in
the Senior Seminar capstone course (EN 499).
Each student will submit a portfolio that contains the following:
1. An introduction letter (PLO 1)
2. An analytical literary research paper with revisions (PLO 3, 4,5)
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3. An original work of poetry, fiction, or non-fiction (PLO 2)
4. A paper that applies a critical approach to a text (PLO 1, PLO 3)
5. An essay that demonstrates student knowledge of one or several periods in
British literature. The student must cite specific authors and texts. (PLO 1,
PLO 3 AND PLO 4 and PLO 5)
6. An essay that demonstrates student knowledge of one or several periods in
American literature. The student must cite specific authors and texts. (PLO 1,
3, 4, 5)
7. Each student will write an extended research paper or creative work that demonstrates
a proficiency in research and writing.
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8. Each student will organize and deliver an oral presentation to the class and English
faculty to demonstrate proficiency in oral communication (One of CUH Key Levers)
ADA Accommodations:
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In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, and the ADA Amendments Act (2008), Chaminade
University of Honolulu offers accommodations for individuals with disabilities. If you
would like to determine if you qualify for ADA accommodations, please contact the
Counseling Center at (808) 735-4845. Once your documentation is submitted, the
assessments will be reviewed and the student will be notified.
Title IX Compliance:
Example: Chaminade University of Honolulu recognizes the inherent dignity of all
individuals and promotes respect for all people. Sexual misconduct, physical and/or
psychological abuse will NOT be tolerated at CUH. If you have been the victim of sexual
misconduct, physical and/or psychological abuse, we encourage you to report this matter
promptly. As a faculty member, I am interested in promoting a safe and healthy
environment, and should I learn of any sexual misconduct, physical and/or psychological
abuse, I must report the matter to the Title IX Coordinator. Should you want to speak to a
confidential source you may contact the following:
• Chaminade Counseling Center| 808 735-4845.
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Students should access the discipline rubric created for EN 499 Senior Seminar Portfolio
Requirements and Grading Criteria. (Please see Appendix A Appendix Aon ecollege)
Course Expectations:
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Students are expected to: complete all reading and writing assignments on the assigned
dates, participate in revision workshops and to offer thoughtful contributions during
discussions with instructor.
The course requirements include regular attendance and participation, a variety of
informal writings, discussion board posts, independent research and revision, and
submission and presentation of a Senior Capstone portfolio.
Please do not attempt to submit work that is not your own. Cheating/plagiarism will
result in a grade "F" for the entire course; instances of cheating will be reported to the
University’s Dean of Humanities. Please review the Academic Honesty and Plagiarism
policies in Chaminade University’s 2015-16 3-14 General Catalogue.
I am available for consultation by email, during office hours, , or by appointment. If you
have any questions about an assignment or essay, please contact me before the
assignment is due.
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Submission Guidelines:
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Essays are due at midnight HST 2:30 p.m. on the day assigned; assignmentsthey are
expected to meet both minimum and maximum length requirements outlined in
individual assignment descriptions. Essay rough drafts must be available by our weekly
class meeting time in order for students to participate in peer review.
All essays must follow MLA format-- typed using 12-point font and double-spaced with
one-inch margins on all sides. Please do not include a cover page. Each essay should
have a creative and appropriate title.
Late papers will receive a 10% grade reduction for each day until it is submitted. If you
are having difficulty with an assignment, please contact me for additional assistance
before the due date. You must complete and submit a complete and revised portfolio to
pass this course.
Assignment Distribution:
Attendance and Participation (Homework, In-Class Writings, Discussion Board Posts,
Research Aappointments, Peer Response) 1010%
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Reflective writings posted on eportfolio/blog 10%
Revised Seminar Length Essay (15-20 pages) 20% (PLO 1, 3, 4, 5)
Senior Portfolio 50%
–students will create an eportfolio on Wix or wordpress
Final Portfolio Presentation 10% (CLO 6)
Senior Portfolio
--introductory letter (10%)
--literary research paper (10%)
--original creative work (10%)
--critical analysis essay (10%)
--British literature essay (10%)
--American literature essay (10%)
Grading Scale:
A= 90-100%
B= 80-89%
C= 70-79%
D= 60-69%
F= 0-59%
Resources (working list):
Sample Eportfolio sites
Examples of eportfolios: http://wp.auburn.edu/writing/eportfolio-project/eportfolioexamples/
https://sites.google.com/site/eportfolioapps/overview
Sample eportfolio cover letters
http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/everyday_writer/addresources/1.html
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http://users.humboldt.edu/tduckart/CoverLetterGuidelinesHandoutV030109.pdf
http://moodle.sfai.edu/pluginfile.php/28043/mod_resource/content/0/Writing%20Portfoli
o%20Cover%20Letters.pdf
http://users.humboldt.edu/tduckart/SampleCoverLetter1.htm
22 Short Films About Grammar –for peer review sessions
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7871319DAC5DB493
Appendix A.
Portfolio Rubric for Senior Seminar (EN 499)
Reading and Assignment Schedule:
(Subject to Revision)
*Week 1: Aug. 247
Syllabus Review; Begin reading The Great Gatsby; “Defining” an English major—
wordle or poll
*Week 2: August 31Sept. 3
Discuss The Great Gatsby
Great Gatsby—students will write 1-minute essay about an issue in the novel
Students will share the response with partner
First steps in creating a blog/eportfolio (password protected)
Critical Theory Today, Chapter 1
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*Week 3: Sept. 710
American Literature Essay Draft Due
Drafting the essay—peer response/feedback to draft
Response to initial blogs/posts
Sample “blogroll”
Critical Theory Today, Chapter 2
Critical Theory Today—small groups to develop a storyboard for each critical approach
*Week 4: Sept. 147
Proposal for Extended Revision Paper Due
Developing an argument—paper prospectus for the extended research paper
Portfolio Keeping –Read part one
Critical Theory Today, Chapter 3
*Week 5: Sept.2124
British Literature Essay Draft Due
Drafting the essay—peer response/feedback to draft
Critical Theory Today, Chapter 43
*Week 6: SeptOct. 28
Where are we now (in the capstone seminar)? survey—what’s working,
what to change?1
Critical Theory Today, Chapter 54
Online
*Week 7: Oct. 58
Original work of poetry, fiction or creative non-fiction draft due
Drafting the essay—peer response/feedback to draft
Portfolio Keeping –Read part two
Critical Theory Today, Chapter 65
Applying a critical approach to text—invented dialogues using quotations from the
literary critics
*Week 8: Oct. 1215
Original work of poetry, fiction or creative non-fiction draft due
Critical Theory Today, Chapters 7 and 8 6
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In-class explication (“Quaker meeting” style?)
*Week 9: Oct. 1922
Critical analysis essay draft due
Drafting the essay—peer response/feedback to draft
Critical Theory Today, Chapter 97
Week 10: Oct. 269
Individual Appointments
Critical Theory Today, Chapter 108
Week 11: Nov. 25
Online
Literary Research Paper Draft Due
Drafting the essay—peer response/feedback to draft
Critical Theory Today, Chapters 11 and 12 9
Week 12: Nov. 912
Extended Revision Essay Draft Due
Drafting the essay—peer response/feedback to draft
Critical Theory Today, Chapter 130
Week 13: Nov. 1619
Cover Letter Draft Due; Drafting the essay—peer response/feedback to draft
Critical Theory Today, Chapter 11
Week 14: Nov. 236
What’s next? Where will your English degree take you in the future? How
an English major prepares students for everything!!
Critical Theory Today, Chapter 12
Week 15: Nov. 30Dec. 4
Critical Theory Today, Chapter 13
Complete Portfolio Final Draft Due
Final Portfolio Presentations: TBA
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