[ ICS Methodology for Humanities \

 

Objectives: 1) to introduce students to the basic tools for literary/art/film research, and 2) to explore the possible approaches in the field of humanistic studies, and 3) to practice the art of drafting and outlining a research project

 

Texts:

Cultural Theory: The Key Thinkers (London: Routledge, 2002)

 

Requirements:

High levels of attendance and punctuality. Each writing assignment must be typed, proofread, carefully thought through, and turned in on the day noted. Late assignments will NOT be accepted.

 

* Black Board:

Frequent use of email and the course site (Black Board) is mandatory.  Reading materials will be posted on the site for downloading before the reading assignments are due. Reminders and announcements will also be posted there. The URL for the site is : http://courses.byu.edu. To log in, use your 7-digit BYU ID number as username, and the last 3 (if the first number is zero) or 4 digits of your SS# (or 4-digit birthdate: 1005 for October 5th, or 3 digits: 112 for January 12th by dropping the first zero) as the password.

 

*Grade: 100 points total (see each assignment for break down)

 

*Special Needs

Brigham Young University-Hawai’I is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere, which reasonably accommodates qualified persons with disabilities.  If you have any disability that may impair your ability to complete this course successfully, please contact the students with Special Need Coordinator, Leilani A’una at 293-3518. Reasonable academic accommodations are reviewed for all students who have qualified documented disabilities.  If you need assistance or if you feel you have been unlawfully discriminated against on the basis of disability, you may seek resolution through established grievance policy and procedures.  You should contact the Human Resource Services at 780-8875.

 

* Preventing Sexual Harassment

Title IX of the education amendments of 1972 prohibits sex discrimination against any participant in an educational program or activity that receives federal funds, including Federal loans and grants.  Title IX also covers student-to-student sexual harassment.  If you encounter unlawful sexual harassment or gender-based discrimination, please contact the Human Resource Services at 780-8875 (24 hours).

 

* Final Examination

All students should be aware of the BYUH policy that there are no early final exams. An exception to this policy is the case of a school sponsored activity which takes an individual or a team away from the University at the time an examination is scheduled to take place.  Faculty and Administration who are responsible for scheduling official University activities attempt in every way to avoid scheduling activities in conflict with the scheduled examinations.  Students must plan travel, family visits, etc., in a way that will not interfere with their final exams.  Emergency situations should be presented in writing as soon as possible to the Dean of the college or school of the student’s major. 

 

Less expensive fares, more convenient travel arrangements, and any other non-emergency reasons are not considered justification for early or late final exams. Students are responsible for making sure that family or friends who may supply tickets or make travel arrangements for a student are aware of the student’s need to complete courses by taking the final examinations as scheduled.

 

 

Schedule & Assignments

 

8/28 (Thu)

Introduction

Close Reading Exercise: The Art of Reading “What are you looking at?”

 

 

9/02 (Tue)

 

Research Tools (Librarian)

Close Reading continued

Due: Critical entry (2-page textual analysis, 15points), describing in great detail the first page of the story

Reading: Borges, “Pierre Menard, the Author of Don Quixote” (CD)

 

9/04 (Thu)

 

Peer review/Exchange

Introducing secondary reference on Borges

 

9/9 (Tue)

Reading Theories (Cultural Theories: Key Thinkers)

Due: Annotated bibliography of textual analysis (3 items: one from library collection; one from electronic database; one from a credible internet site, 1 1/2 pg; make sure that you follow the MLA/Chicago format when citing references, 10 points)

 

9/11 (Thu)

What to do with “Pierre Menard”

Application of theory to reading/analysis (Cultural Theories: Key Thinker)

Due: Critical Entry on ONE theorist/thinker (1 1/2 pg., 10 points), summarizing his/her main ideas and importance/contribution

Peer review

 

9/16 (Tue)

Expanding analysis, formulating research questions by focusing on a few images, ideas, themes (coordinate group assignments)

Due: Theoretical entry (10 points), outlining 2 critical approaches to the reading of Borges (1 1/2 pg.)

 

**How to write an outline

 

9/18 (Thu)

Research/group work day (no class):

--Work on expanded critical approach essay (3 pg), in-depth essay on a major critical theory that can be used for your analysis (explaining why and how)

--Meet with group members to rehearse presentation—a 4 min. report to the class about this theoretical approach (what, why, how)

Due: Preliminary Thesis (introductory paragraph, 10 points) with a topic in my box

 

9/23 (Tue)

Formal group presentation/critique (dress up for the occasion!)

Due: Critical approach essay (3 pg., 15 points)

Outline update (bring questions)

 

9/25 (Thu)

Peer exchange/review

Due: Full Outline with introduction written and fully developed (20 points)