Dec 22, 2024  
2019-2020 Undergraduate Academic Catalog 
    
Catalog Navigation
  Catalog Home
  Academic Calendar
  University Overview
  Enrollment Management Department
  Academic Regulations and Policies
  Student Financial Services
  Academic Departments, Undergraduate Degree Programs, Minors and Certificates
  Degree Programs, Minors and Certificates
  University Scholars Honors Program
  Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. (ROTC)
  English as a Second Language
  Course Descriptions
  Administration, Board of Regents, Faculty and Advisory Committees
  Campus Map
  Student Resources
  My Portfolio
HELP
2019-2020 Undergraduate Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Facebook this Page (opens a new window)
Tweet this Page (opens a new window)
Add to Portfolio (opens a new window)

GS 092 - Academic Research Paper

2 lecture hours 2 lab hours 3 credits
Course Description
This course has been designed to transition students from diverse backgrounds into the world of academic research. Students are expected to produce a college-level research paper based on courses taught in North American and European Universities. Students will choose a topic, research and read a variety of academic sources, and synthesize them into an annotated bibliography. They will then craft an 8-10 page academic research paper in which they develop a thesis statement and supporting ideas, find evidence and plan their work using a formal outline. The writing process provides ample opportunity for editing, guided support, peer feedback and revision. Students will be trained to adhere to American Psychological Association (APA) style and to identify and avoid plagiarism in their writing. Finally, students are expected to deliver an academic/professional presentation where significant findings are presented to a selected audience with two evaluators. (prereq: recommendation by the Coordinator of ESL)
Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  • Understand and engage in the reasoning and culture of US-style research practices
  • Brainstorm and select a research topic suitable for undergraduate and professional work
  • Focus a topic to the scale of a standard undergraduate research project
  • Find, assess, and maintain a pool of academic print and electronic resources related to research area
  • Synthesize authentic academic material to compose an annotated bibliography
  • Craft an arguable thesis that effectively indicates the scope of entire work and allows for concrete development
  • Develop an outline that organizes Introductory and Background Material, Major and Minor Supporting elements, Explicit/Implicit Arguments and Counter-Arguments, and Conclusions, all proceeding from the original intent of the thesis statement
  • Execute various strategies for concise summarizing and accurate paraphrasing
  • Understand the role of quoted material in non-fiction work and be able to effectively incorporate quotations in writing
  • Synthesize borrowed material to support and develop Major and Minor elements
  • Write a valid research-based paper in accordance with American Psychological Association (APA) style
  • Incorporate citations and references as a result of a firm understanding of intellectual property ideals common to all developed academic communities
  • Recognize and avoid any and all forms of plagiarism
  • Present and defend work to an audience and a small panel of evaluators
Prerequisites by Topic
  • None 
Course Topics
  • Choosing a research topic
  • Finding, evaluating, and reading academic sources
  • Summarizing and paraphrasing
  • Synthesizing sources into an annotated bibliography
  •  APA citation and academic integrity 
  • Crafting an arguable thesis
  • Using a formal outline
  • Supporting an argument with evidence 
  • The writing process
  • Delivering an academic presentation 
Coordinator
Katherine Toske


Facebook this Page (opens a new window)
Tweet this Page (opens a new window)
Add to Portfolio (opens a new window)