Monday, November 25, 2013

Homework for Week of December 2-6

Seniors,

There is a small homework assignment due next week, along with your rough drafts of your term paper. 


Due the First Class of Next Week (Dec 2-4):

You will have a Current Events assignment due by the first class of next week.  Two of the articles are provided for you, and the third must be chosen on your own from The Nation.  Here are the two articles:

http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/25/politics/gop-immigration/index.html?hpt=po_c2

http://www.cnn.com/2013/11/25/world/meast/iran-nuclear-deal/index.html?hpt=wo_c1

To be certain, there are three articles due for the Current Events; two are provided above, and one must be chosen by you from The Nation.


Due the Second Class of Next Week (Dec 5-6):

You are required to bring in your rough draft of the term paper to class.  It must be printed and formatted in Chicago style (you will not need a title page).  We will be peer-editing each other's papers. 

Failure to bring in your rough draft will result in a zero
(print it out the day before class). 

An unfinished rough draft will result in partial credit.




Email me if you have any questions.

Sunday, November 17, 2013

GUIDELINES FOR THE TERM PAPER


TERM PAPER REQUIREMENTS AND SCHEDULE
Fall 2013


PAPER OBJECTIVES. Students who successfully complete this paper should be able to:

·      Identify a topic and develop a thesis statement that includes an annotated bibliography.
·      Locate and examine appropriate resources for research.
·      Develop a research strategy, meet deadlines, and work under the close supervision of teacher.
·      Write an argumentative and fully edited paper in Standard English prose.
·      Make appropriate citations in the Chicago style.



GRADING GUIDELINES FOR SEMESTER: The final grade for the Class:

  • The grade for the final submission (20 percent of the final semester grade).
  • The grade for the guided research portion of the course (15 percent of the final grade). This grade will include the thesis statement, annotated bibliography, rough draft, and adherence to deadlines.
  • Final paper will be graded by a rubric.


DEADLINES FOR GUIDED RESEARCH:

THE THESIS STATEMENT is due FIRST CLASS of WEEK 11 (Nov 18-20).

It should include the following:
·      A description of the issue that you want to write about.
·      A description of the narrowed problem that you are concerned with.
·      Hints at how you will argue your case.


THE ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY is due FIRST CLASS OF WEEK 12 (Nov 25-27)
·      An initial annotated bibliography containing at least four sources (at least three must be scholarly articles) that will provide a foundation for the paper. Scholarly articles can be found through on-line scholarly journals (JSTOR, SAGE, a or Google Scholar).
·      The annotated bibliography should include a brief statement (three to four sentences) for each work listed, that addresses what is the article about and why the cited work is relevant to the proposed topic.


DRAFT OF THE PAPER  is due on SECOND CLASS of WEEK 12 (Dec 5-6).

It should include the following:
  • The basic paper with special attention given to the thesis, the principal arguments, and the citations.
  • The draft should include citations, be properly proofread and edited.
  • The draft should also adhere to the submission requirements for the final paper.
·      Properly formatted, proofed and edited drafts will receive a reasonable level of line editing.
·      Poorly prepared drafts will receive a partial credit.
·      Failure to submit a draft by the deadline will result in a failure of this requirement, without chance of partial credit.


THE FINAL SUBMISSION is due on DECEMBER 13th by 3pm.

Should be submitted with a title page:
·      ONE printed copy of the final paper submitted directly to the instructor.
·      Submission of the final paper to turnitin.com.

BASIC WRITING REQUIREMENTS.

  • You are aiming for a 7-9 page paper including citations (endnotes).
  • The paper should be analytical; that is, it should establish a thesis and develop logical arguments supported analysis and evidence. Accordingly, the paper must include a meaningful introduction with a clear thesis statement, significant analysis to support the thesis that develops a logical argument, and a carefully crafted conclusion.
  • Do not write by assuming that reader knows everything you have learned about the topic. Write for a third-party reader who is not familiar with your topic. Be thorough in your explanations, establish context and define terminology where appropriate.
  • Your ideas and writing are what is important in this paper. Evidence should support them not replace them. Accordingly, quotations should be limited to those that contribute significantly to your argument or analysis. Good quotations are pithy: they exemplify or say things in ways that are meaningful.
  • Remember that you are completing a formal piece of writing for an academic audience. Use Standard English grammar and appropriate vocabulary that is free of jargon, clichés, contractions and inappropriate abbreviations. Go for variety in your language—it will create interesting reading. But be thoroughly in control of your vocabulary. Use the thesaurus included in your word processing software, but be mindful of the actually meaning of the words.
·      Work for strong paragraphs that begin with a topical sentence that connects logically to the preceding paragraph. Craft your sentences and balance lengthy (compound complex) and short or simple sentences to crate clear and interesting reading.
  • Be fair to your sources. Do not plagiarize. Quotations and paraphrased from other authors must be properly cited in your endnotes. (See the Course Policies and Procedures on plagiarism.)
·      Thoroughly edit and proofread the paper for language, spelling, typographical and grammatical errors. Errors will count against the final grade.

SUBMISSION AND TYPING REQUIREMENTS. The final paper must adhere to the following guidelines.

·      Must be typewritten on plain, white paper (single-sided) using black print.
·      Must use 12-point font in Times New Roman. Handwritten submissions and submissions in other than black ink or larger or smaller font will not be accepted.
·      1” margins on all sides.
·      The text must be double-spaced.
·      Paragraphs must be indented 5 spaces (or the default indent on your software) with no lines skipped between paragraphs. You may skip a line if you wish between the introduction and body of the paper and between the body of the paper and the conclusion. But do not subtitle any parts of your paper.
·      Citations must be in endnotes in the Chicago style. Do not use footnotes. Citation numbers should be placed at the end of sentences or paragraphs and should use Arabic not Roman Numerals. The citations should be single-spaced in 12 point font with the first line indented.
·      All pages should be numbered with the exception of the coversheet. The first page of the text should be numbered 1. Page numbers should appear in the upper right corner of each page.
·      The text must begin at the top of page 1, without a title or author.
·      Students who wish to include images, maps, or tables in their paper should discuss appropriate formats with the instructor prior to submission of the draft.
·      Include a cover sheet. The following format is recommended. (Place it approximately 1/3 down the coversheet.) Do not use a report cover or folder of any kind for the final copy of the paper.

Title of Paper or Assignment
Your Name

The American Experiment and the Globalized World
Mr. Highfield
Fall 2013

·      Staple the paper once in the upper left-hand corner of the paper with the coversheet on top.



CATEGORY
4
3
2
1
Organization
Information is very organized with well-constructed paragraphs. The essay includes an introduction with an argument, details to support the argument, and a conclusion.
Information is organized with well-constructed paragraphs. The essay includes an introduction with an argument, details to support the argument, and a conclusion.
Information is somewhat organized, but paragraphs are not well-constructed. The essay includes an introduction with an argument, some related details to support the argument, and a conclusion.
The information appears to be disorganized. The majority of the essay does not relate to the subject matter.
Mechanics
No grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors.
Almost no grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors
A few grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors.
Many grammatical, spelling, or punctuation errors.
Sources
Essay has at least 6 resources cited within the endnotes. All sources are accurately documented in Chicago format.
Essay has at least 5 resources cited within the endnotes. All sources are accurately documented in Chicago format.
Essay has at least 3 resources cited within the endnotes. All sources are accurately documented in Chicago format.
Essay has no sources and no present endnotes.
Argument
Essay has a clear argument with supporting sources and clearly states different or opposing sides of the argument with supportive details.
Essay has a clear argument with supporting sources and states different or opposing sides of the argument.
Essay has a clear argument with supporting sources, but does not mention different or opposing sides of the argument.
Essay shows signs of an argument and some supporting sources.

Monday, November 11, 2013

Homework and Announcements- Week 10 (Nov 11-15)

Firstly, the midterm is this week, to be given on the second class.  The entire class will be devoted to the midterm, so you will be allowed to leave after you complete it.  As much as I wish you to study for this midterm, there are two other assignments to keep in mind.

Homework for this week:
1. By Friday at 3pm, you are required to email your Congressional Representative (Congressman or Congresswoman) in regards to the Senate-passed LGBT Non-Discrimination Bill (ENDA).  In your email, you must: 1) state whether you want your representative to push for the vote on the bill, and 2) state whether you want your representative to vote for or against the bill.

Lastly, as we all know that the power we hold is our votes, you must remind your representative that if they do not act in favor of your wishes, you will not vote for them in next year's midterm elections.

Remember to be respectful, but stern.  You should not be insulting them.  And also know that you will not be judged or graded on the preference you state to your representative.  It is not for me to dictate how you should vote.

Student Council Elections:
As discussed in class, we will be having elections for the Senior Class President and Treasury in the Student Council.  Students need to nominate their peers for the two offices, so that we may have an election for those posts.  If you have a student in mind for those positions, please email me to let me know as soon as you can.

Next week's homework:
Due the first class of next week, I need your Term Paper's thesis statement.  The thesis statement will be 2-3 sentences, stating the narrowed topic and argument you will be writing about.  This means that I will know; what is the issue, what side are you taking, and hint at how you plan to argue it.

***In order to sufficiently complete this assignment, some research must have already been started on your topic.***

This assignment must be typed, with a proper heading (name, date, assignment title).


Any questions, do not hesitate to email me.

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Homework for Week 9 (Nov 4th-8th) **No Current Events this week**


The homework for this week will be different than usual.  There is no Current Events Assignment due this week.  Your homework is listed below.


Due Second Class of the Week (Nov 7th-8th):

Read the two articles on the "American Dream" that are attached to this email.  You will write an essay that must be double spaced, 12pt Times New Roman font, with one inch margins, that will be at least more than one page in length, but no more than two full pages.   In the essay you need to answer the following questions:

What are the authors of each article arguing (and supply ample amount of information to explain the authors' viewpoints)?

What is/are the traditional definition(s) of the American Dream?

What do the authors of each article believe is the current status of the American Dream (has the definition changed, has the validity changed..etc)?

What is your definition of the American Dream?

Do you believe the American Dream is real, and for whom (for all Americans, some Americans, a particular group..etc)?

Grammar, Spelling, and Punctuation will be part of your grade!!

ALSO DUE SECOND CLASS:

Have ready your topic issue that you want to write your term paper on.  Remember that it must be a current issue pertaining to the political and/or economic realms of the United States or the World.  Examples would be Economic Inequality, Women's Rights, Education Reform, Islamophobia...etc.

This does not need to be written down, but I will ask everyone for their topic.


Please email me if you have any questions.