ENGL 897 Advanced Research Seminar

To equip students with expertise necessary to conceptualize, conduct, and analyze a research project in the field of English, a focused investigation of advanced concepts in research methodology that provides students with research background and tools is needed to successfully complete an extensive research project.

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

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Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (3)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student will write three (3) Discussions to be completed in 2 parts:

Part 1: Discussion Thread

The student will choose a topic from the Discussion Assignment Instructions for each Discussion assignment. For Discussion: Three (3) Interesting Topics to Explore, the Thread must answer the Discussion prompt in 500–700 words. For Discussion: Feedback for My Topic and Approach, the Thread must answer the Discussion prompt in 500–700 words. For the Discussion: Christian Worldview, the Thread must answer the discussion prompt in 400–500 words. These parameters help to promote writing that is thorough yet concise enough to permit classmates to read all the postings in a relatively short time. (CLO: B, C, D)

Part 2: Discussion Replies

The student will respond to at least 2 classmates’ Discussion Threads and provide additional feedback, ideas, or critiques. For Discussion: Three (3) Interesting Topics to Explore, each reply must be 400–500 words. For Discussion: Feedback for My Topic and Approach, each reply must be 400–500 words. For Discussion: Christian Worldview, each reply must be 300–400 words. (CLO: B, C, D)

All requirements must be met, and all submissions must be carefully edited. Because this is an English course, submissions will be graded on content, organization, writing style, and grammar.

Potential Topics that Contribute to Knowledge Assignment

The scholarly paper requires careful research, planning, drafting, revising/editing, and correct documentation; thus, it is split into 8 manageable parts, beginning with the Potential Topics that Contribute to Knowledge Assignment.

The student will choose 3 potential topics for his or her scholarly paper and write a 700-1000-word paper in MLA format that shows awareness of critical material on each of the topics. The student will eventually choose one of the topics to write on.

General Approach and Bibliography Assignment

In 1-2 sentences, the student will state a topic and an approach for his or her scholarly paper and compile an annotated Bibliography in current MLA format of at least 20 scholarly sources, including both primary and secondary sources.

Title, Literature Review, and Thesis Statement Assignment

The student will write a catchy title for his or her topic, show familiarity with the topic by providing a literature review using at least 10 scholarly sources in MLA format, and then write a 1-2 sentence thesis statement that is clear, plausible, and cogent. The student will use MLA format, and though the length of the literature review may vary depending on the number of sources, the paper should be as concise as possible and aim for 300-500 words, including title and thesis.

Introduction, Thesis, Outline, and Bibliography Assignment

The student will write a formal introduction that includes a revised thesis based on the instructor’s feedback. The student will also write an outline that develops the thesis and provides an applicable bibliography of at least 20 scholarly sources using current MLA format. Though the length of the title, thesis, introduction, and outline may vary, the student should be as concise as possible and aim for 500-1000 words total.

The Draft of Scholarly Paper Assignment

The student will write, revise, and edit a first draft of a scholarly paper of about 3,500-5,000 words. The draft must have a cogent thesis, arguments, evidentiary support of arguments, focused analysis, correct documentation, and excellent writing skills. At least fifteen (15) correctly cited (MLA) scholarly secondary sources are required for this draft. (CLO: A, B, C, D)

Presentation and Publication Avenues Assignment

The student will research and select 5–7 scholarly and reputable outlets to publish and/or present his or her scholarly paper. For each, the student will write a 50-100-word summary comprising the following: the suitability of each outlet, the topics/areas each cover, similar works published, submission information, and any other item(s) that is/are pertinent. Altogether, the total word range for this assignment is 250-700 words. (CLO: B, D)

Final Submission of Scholarly Paper Assignment

The student will write a final draft of about 4,000-5,000 words (15–20 pages) that could be published and/or presented at a conference. This final submission requires a minimum of 20 scholarly sources correctly formatted in MLA style. (CLO: A, B, C, D)

Query Letter Assignment

The student will write a compelling single-spaced one-page (200–400-words) query letter to solicit publication or presentation of his or her scholarly paper. (CLO: B,D)