THANK YOU!

It was a pleasure to see and listen to your presentations last week. Thanks for the inspiration. I'll be looking forward to what you bring forth next. Enjoy the holiday!

Presentations of Completed Projects Begin December 8

We will begin presentations of completed projects on Tuesday, December 8th. Please consult the schedule in the column to your right to know when you will be presenting.

Annotated Bibliography

Remember that the annotated bibliography is an essential part of your project journal.

For each source you consult, please record the bibliographic information and make brief notes on the source (summarize key points, reflect on the value of the source to your project, etc.).

We'll go over instructions for the a.b. in class this week.

Your annotated bibliography is due on December 17th, along with your project journal and narrative self-assessment.

Critical Response

Check out the Liz Lerman Dance Exchange website for info on the Critical Response Process they use: http://www.danceexchange.org/performance/criticalresponse.html

Also, I highly recommend Peter Elbow's Sharing and Responding for critical response methodology: http://www.amazon.com/Sharing-Responding-Peter-Elbow/dp/0073031798

Blogs Update

When was the last time you checked out Anthony's blog? http://antcallaway.spaces.live.com/blog/ Some great stuff going on there.

Also, do not miss what Kelly Martin is writing on her blog: http://kellyxmartin.blogspot.com/

And, of course, Kari Hoffman's food blog: http://karieatsfood.blogspot.com/

Presentations of Work-in-Progress

I'm looking forward to your presentations this week. Just a few thoughts to bear in mind:
- keep your presentation brief and pithy (closer to 5 minutes than 10)
- consider what evidence of your work would be helpful to communicate your ideas
- include visual and auditory elements, if possible

Thanks

Thanks so much for the feedback you gave yesterday. It's helpful to get your comments so I can make this class as useful as possible to you in achieving your goals.

Remember that the class period this Thursday (October 8) is a time for independent work. Please make use of the time to press forward on your projects. I'll be available in our classroom if anyone has a pressing question or just wants a sounding board.

For Tuesday (October 13), in addition to the usual self-assignment and journal entry, please bring Hot Sheet #2. (Instructions are in the course packet that contains your syllabus.) This is an opportunity to capture your project's current aim.

As always, drop me a note by email (csumption@cornish.edu) if you have questions or need help.

Blog about my research...

A blog seemed like a good way to be able to gather my thoughts together in one place and see what sort of themes may emerge from my research and activities geared toward American Indians (inside and outside of Seattle). So here's the link:


http://anthonycallaway.com/blog.aspx

Individual Conferences This Week

Please bring to your conference any questions you have as well as issues on which you'd like guidance. Please make use of the rest of the time to work on your project.

Tuesday, September 29

4:00 PM - Sommer Rae Simonson
4:15 - Cameron Hoyer
4:30 - Kari Hoffman
4:45 - Shauna Friedenberger
5:00 - Kelly Martin
5:15 - Josh Duford
5:30 - Heather Nicewonger
5:45 - Jessie Underhill

Thursday, October 1

4:00 PM - Patrick Nobbe
4:15 - Leslie Kam
4:30 - Anthony Callaway
4:45 - Steven Ackley
5:00 - Heidi Korndorffer
5:15 - Scott Garner
5:30 - Samuel Anderson
5:45 - Lauren Brazell

Due Thursday, Sept 24

Paper #2

Due: Thursday, September 24

1. Jot down notes in response to the following questions:
· What are some of the resources I need in order to accomplish what I’ve set out to do? Where can I find them?
· Who do I know that can provide me with information/perspective on my project? Or, who do I know who knows someone that can provide me with information/perspective on my project?
· What are some of the less conventional research methods that might be useful for my project? (e.g., trial-and-error, personal observation, interviews, surveys, etc.)
· How much time do I anticipate that each of the major research tasks will require?

2. Create a calendar for your inquiry project. Begin by noting the major deadlines of the course (including presentations of work-in-progress on October 20 & 22 and presentations of completed projects on December 8, 10 & 15). Then, backing out, add deadlines for your own incremental goals. (You may also want to note deadlines for significant projects in your major, as those will affect your time and availability.)

3. Write a brief paper (1½ - 2 pages) outlining your inquiry process as you currently envision it. Identify some of the major resources and methodologies that will be valuable for your research. Describe your strategy for accomplishing your research goals. Attach your project calendar.

4. Read what you’ve written and evaluate:
· Does your paper reflect the big picture of your inquiry process?
· Does your plan seem feasible?
· Is anything missing?

5. Revise as needed.

6. Proofread your revised draft. Correct errors of spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Save a copy of the paper on your computer, and print 2 copies to bring to class. (Your paper should be double-spaced, with one-inch margins. At the top of the page, please include your name, the date, “Directed Studies Seminar,” and “Paper #2.”) Due Thursday, September 24.

Pseudo-Science and the Occult blog

Hi everyone, this is Kelly Martin. I started a blog the other day for my project, so I thought I would post a link here. Here's the link. My current topic is werewolves, so I will be werewolfing it up for the rest of the week. Please comment if you have any suggestions! Thanks!

Due Tuesday, Sept 15

Please complete Self-Assignment #1, that is, do what you said you were going to do on your project.

Also, write a project journal entry and write Hot Sheet #1:

Hot Sheet #1

Due: Tuesday, September 15

As a part of your work on the research project, you will create a one-page “hot sheet” that defines the topic you propose to explore.

Objectives:
· Describe your topic in brief, meaningful language as a way to
- identify the focus of your work
- concisely express your research goals to librarians, interviewees, and others whose assistance you seek as part of your research process
· Develop tools for seeing deeper into the related ideas and implications of your inquiry.
· Build an action plan for getting started on your project.

Components:
Your hot sheet will contain four sections:
· A brief description of your proposed project.
· A list of key words and phrases (terms, features, images, ideas) associated with your topic.
· A collection of “what,” “how,” “who,” and “why” questions about your topic.
· An action plan with tasks that you plan to undertake in the next 3 weeks.

Directions:

1. Title your research project. (You may change this title later.)

2. Describe your research project in 100-150 words. (What are you exploring? What do you want to find out? What do you hope you or others will “get” from the project?)

3. Brainstorm a list of key words or short phrases that relate to your project. (Aim for 10-15 words or phrases.)

4. Make a list of “what,” “how,” “who,” and “why” questions about your topic. (Aim for 10 questions.)

5. Write a brief action plan, detailing the tasks that you plan to undertake in the next 2-3 weeks. Give yourself deadlines to complete each task.

6. Print two copies: save one for yourself and give one to me. (Your paper should be double-spaced, with one-inch margins. At the top of the page, please include your name, the date, “Directed Studies Seminar,” and “Hot Sheet #1.”)

Assignments Due Thursday

It was great meeting with all of you today. I'm really looking forward to our work together. Here are the assignments for Thursday. See you then.
Chris

Paper #1

Due: Thursday, September 9

1. Re-read your project proposal. Reflect on what you’ve written. Based on what you know now, consider:
· Does the subject still evoke your deep curiosity?
· Is the project substantial enough to occupy you for a full semester?
· Do your goals seem attainable within the time frame?
· Do you need to tweak or perhaps even completely revamp your project proposal?

2. Jot down notes in response to the following questions:
· Why am I interested in this topic?
· What do I already know about it?
· What do I think about it at this point?
· What questions do I have? (Be as specific as possible.)
· How do I envision the project unfolding over the course of the semester?
· What do I want to get out of it?
· How will I (and others) know if I’ve been successful?

3. Write a brief paper (2-3 pages) describing your project as it currently stands. Clarify your topic of inquiry, your project goals, key steps involved, and the criteria by which the success of your project will be measured. Share your passion for the subject and what you hope to get out of undertaking it.

4. Read what you’ve written and evaluate:
· Does your paper accurately describe your project as it currently stands?
· Are your ideas clearly expressed?
· Does your paper reflect your passion for the topic?

5. Revise as needed.

6. Proofread your revised draft. Correct errors of spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Save a copy of the paper on your computer, and print 2 copies to bring to class. (Your paper should be double-spaced, with one-inch margins. At the top of the page, please include your name, the date, “Directed Studies Seminar,” and “Paper #1.”) Due Thursday, September 9.


Self-Assignment

Due: Every Thursday

Self-assignments are written instructions for tasks that you will complete week by week. Effective self-assignments are focused on tangible, attainable, incremental goals that you commit to achieving within a given time-frame. Your self-assignments are the step-by-step means by which you will complete your project.

Please identify:
· the specific tasks that you will undertake
· your expectations for the work
· how and when you will do the work
· your deadlines

Self-assignments must be typed, double-spaced, with one-inch margins. Please write your name, the date, and “Directed Studies Seminar” at the top of the page.

PLUS!
Identify one thing you can do on this project and DO IT!