Senior Seminar Spring 2007 IDS 4550-101, W/S/CD/C TR 9:30-10:45 LLA 205 Senior Seminar Blog Dr. Derek Stanovsky Office: LLA 125  Office Phone: 262-2441 Office Hours: TBA E-mail: stanovskydj@appstate.edu Home page: www.appstate.edu/~stanovskydj

Course Description:
In this class, students will have the opportunity to draw together the diverse strands of their interdisciplinary studies, reflect on the connections among these strands, and produce an in-depth senior project focusing on their concentration within the major. Students will have the opportunity to reflect on methodology -- how one brings together data, methods and practices from diverse disciplines, both academic and non-academic. Students will be asked to present and discuss aspects of projects in class and present their final projects in a public forum to students and faculty. Prerequisites: Senior standing and IDS 3000 and IDS 3150. Corequisite or prerequisite: IDS 3300 or IDS 3700, or consent of the instructor.

Course Requirements:
The most important requirement for this course is steady and consistent work on your senior project. The formal grading requirements are:

Process  25%
Presentations 25%
Project  50%

Two absences are allowed during the semester. Each additional absence will lower your process grade by one letter grade. More than six absences and/or failure to complete your senior project and presentation are grounds for failing the course.

This is also an "S" designator speaking course. During the semester, there will be several opportunities for class presentations. The presentation portion of your grade will be based on these less formal class presentations, as well as on a final formal public performance/presentation of your completed senior project.

Your senior project will consist of a substantial interdisciplinary research paper or other original scholarly/creative/service project. At the end of the semester, you will present this semester long project in a public forum to students and faculty. The details of this project will be decided on an individual basis in consultation with your instructor.

With regard to all assignments for this course, you are expected to know and follow the current ASU code of academic integrity.

Tentative Course Schedule:
T 1/9 Introductions. Introduction to blogging. Create your own blog. Post the address of your new blog as a comment on our class blog. 
TH 1/11 Prepare a 2 minute presentation on your academic background, coursework, concentration, and interests. Post a 250-500 word summary to your blog. Read and comment on at least two of your classmates' blogs.

T 1/16 Review and discuss 3 past senior seminar projects in your area, read one completely. Post a brief summary and review to your blog. Read and comment on at least two of your classmates' blogs.
TH 1/18 * Individual conferences and library work. Schedule your library RAP session.

T 1/23 Prepare a 2 minute presentation of your proposed topic. Post a 250-500 word summary to your blog. Read and comment on at least two of your classmates' blogs.
TH 1/25 Student topic presentations continued. Read and comment on at least two more of your classmates' blogs.

T 1/30 Post a brief discussion of the research ethics and methodology of your project to your blog. Read and comment on at least two of your classmates' blogs.

Belmont Report on Ethical Principles and Guidelines for Research Involving Human Subjects.
SFAA Ethical Guidlines.
ASU Institutional Review Board: Informed consent tutorial.

T 2/6 Post your working bibliography and online sources to your blog. Bring a printed copy of your working bibliography to hand-in in class.
TH 2/8 * Individual conferences and library work.

T 2/13 Abstract due. Present to class and post to your blog. Read and comment on at least two of your classmates' blogs.
TH 2/15 Class presentations and discussion continued.  Read and comment on at least two more of your classmates' blogs.

T 2/20 * Individual conferences and library work. You MUST meet with me individually sometime this week.
TH 2/22 * Individual conferences and library work. 

T 2/27 * Individual conferences and library work. Read and comment on your classmates' blogs.
TH 3/1 Partial draft, outline, and revised abstract due. Hand in during class and post to your blog. Read and comment on at least two of your classmates' blogs.

T 3/6 * Individual conferences and library work.
TH 3/8 * Individual conferences and library work. [Reminder: Your completed portfolio is due in your advisor's box.]

SPRING BREAK

T 3/20 Presentation, posting, and discussion of work-in-progress.
TH 3/22 Presentation, posting, and discussion of work-in-progress.

T 3/27 Presentation, posting, and discussion of work-in-progress.
TH 3/29 Presentation, posting, and discussion of work-in-progress.

T 4/3 * Individual conferences and library work.
Th 4/5 Complete Draft Due. Post to your blog.

EASTER BREAK
TH 4/12 * Individual conferences and library work. Read and comment on at least two of your classmates' drafts.

T 4/17 * Individual conferences and library work. 
TH 4/19 Final Project Due. Turn in bound copy. Post your completed final project to your blog.

T 4/24 Final Project Presentations TBA.