Syllabus
Chestnut Hill College

Spring II, 2009
Joseph P. Ferry
Instructor
ferry@tenebrae.org

Course Description

The purpose of the senior seminar is to integrate and conclude the college learning experience in a specific field. It also serves as an introduction to graduate level work. A seminar refers to a group of advanced students working with each other and with a teacher in a specific branch of study. Independent study and research is a requirement. Also, collegial commitment and participation is required for success. Each student will write a major paper. The submission of the final paper will be preceded by a formal presentation of student’s research and findings. Each student will serve as peer editor for two classmates. There are no tests or examinations; grade for the course will be determined by final paper, presentation and collaborative contributions to the seminar and to fellow students.

Text - to support the research and writing process
Johnson, William A. Jr.; Rettig, Richard P; Scott, Gregory M; and Garrison, Stephen M. The Sociology Student Writer’s Manual, Latest edition. Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Coursework standards

1. Presence and participation at all class gatherings.
2. Completion of all reading assignments.
3. On-time submission of writing assignments.
4. Research and write 5000 word social analysis paper in major field of studies.
5. Edit works of two classmates
6. Submit a final written paper to teacher at week six class.
7. Make presentation of research and findings
8. Publish paper to teacher and classmates at last gathering of class.

Grades

Research Paper – 40%
Presentation 10%
Collegial Editing– 10%
Participation – 40% - Each class attended (on-time and until dismissal) will be 4 points, each assignment that is completed and submitted on time will be 2 points. (40pts)
Contact Information
Teacher is available for consultation on course material and coursework: Before and after classes, no appointment necessary

By appointment (contact at ferry@tenebrae.org)

By email for course content questions

Through www.tenebrae.org/coursework for information about course, assignments, readings, calendar, notes, instructions, references.

Evaluating Student's Work and Grading Policy

An important responsibility of teachers is to evaluate a student's progress in their studies - to let a student know how they are doing. My job will be to evaluate your progress in this course, and to inform you about it. I will do that informally during our class discussions, and by reading and commenting on your paper as you develop it.

My students may confer with me individually, informally before/after class, or by appointment. Additionally, I am available to help evaluate progress in studies and research, and offer guidance to my students regarding course matter via email (ferry@tenebrae.org).

Grading is a different for me than what I'm calling evaluation- grading also includes others besides the teacher and student. Grading is a ranking of your performance in completing the requirements of the course. It is a report that the teacher makes to the school about the student.

Tests - No tests will be given in this course

Research

• Your research project will be evaluated with these considerations:
• Did student follow and complete instructions given for the assignment.
• Is there evidence of effort in the student's searching for new (new to the student) knowledge, facts, ideas, concepts, explanations, observations etc?
• Has the student sought out sources that would shed light on, deepen understanding of, the research question? And has the student given proper attribution to the sources.
• Is the report organized well, written well, and formatted according to an accepted and appropriate style (APA)
Academic Honoring and Honesty

During your work and studies in this class, if you are presenting an idea or words of someone else, cite and give credit to that source.

If a student plagiarizes (presents as their own someone else's ideas) during course on the tests, or in submitted research, I'll recognize that as a failure on the student's part, and that is what will be reported to the school at end of course.