Writing 50: Writing and the Research Process
Urban Legands, Conspiracy Theories and Hoaxes
N. Douglas Bradley
University of California, Santa Barbara
Important Notices
Deadline to drop Writing 50 is Wednesday, October 04 (via GOLD).
Do you have a physical or mental disability?
If you have a disability and would like to discuss special academic accommodations, please contact me as soon as possible. To apply for DSP services, see: http://dsp.sa.ucsb.edu/general-information/applying.
Enrollment questions?
For enrollment questions regarding adding and dropping of Writing 50, credit, units, prerequisites, etc., contact Demitra Good, Undergraduate Advisor in the Writing Program. Email: demitragood@hfa.ucsb.edu
Phone: 805.893.2613
Course Syllabus
Course name: Writing and the Research Process
Designator: Writing 50
Instructors: Doug Bradley
Course website: http://www.dougbradley.net/courses/50
Term: Winter quarter classes (10 January – 17 March 2017)
Days/times/locations: TR 4:00 – 4:50 [Girvetz 2108, Enroll code 48405]
Instructor: Doug Bradley—South Hall 1523
Phone: (805) 680-2333 [cell]
E-mail: bradley@writing.ucsb.edu
Office hours: South Hall 1523; Wednesdays, 12:00 – 3:00
and by appointment
Mail box: Located outside the Writing Program office at South Hall 3432, Mondays–Fridays, 8:00 AM – 5:00 pm. Please be certain that both your name and the instructor's are on anything you place into the drop box.
Course Texts (required)
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A Writer's Reference, Diana Hacker NOTE: There are many used copies of this popular writing reference in local bookstores. If you do not wish to pay full price for a new (sixth ed.) copy, it's okay to buy an older, used version. |
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UCSB Career Manual 2017–2018 |
| See course schedule and UCSB Library website for articles and viewings. Together, these comprise our 'textbook.'
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Articles and Viewings
Articles and viewings that are within the public domain will be linked electronically on our course schedule. Copyrighted and controlled materials must be accessed with a user name and password per fair use requirements for educational institutions. BE SURE TO DOWNLOAD AN ELECTRONIC COPY OF EACH ARTICLE TO YOUR PERSONAL BOX DIRECTORY NLT THE DAY(S) SCHEDULED FOR DISCUSSION. You may also download articles to your personal computer, or print out a hard copy.
Recommended
English dictionary. Webster’s New International Dictionary, or
equiv.
Writing 50 Requirements, Grading and Schedule
Course Description
The official UCSB course catalog description for Writing 50 (Writing and the Research Process) reads, “A writing course addressing the analytical skills underlying the research process of academic and professional communities. Sections vary in topic and disciplinary emphasis.”
This course is intended to assist students in preparing for
their professional writing needs by using the environment of urban legends, conspiracy theories, and hoaxes. Please note that Writing 50 is not a course dedicated to these topics, per se, although most of our material will bear upon these
areas of study.
During the quarter, we will examine mutliple examples of
writing in folklore studies, historiography, sociology, psychology, cognitive science, and technology. Our examples will address lay, professional and expert audiences,
research papers, etc. Much of our effort will be directed toward learning the
rudiments of research writing as used in professional
journals and books. This, in turn, will necessitate a brief examination of
what scholarly research is. A great deal of poor research writing is simply due to poor research
and no amount of “good writing” will fix it. [Lesson one: the quality
of your research writing (esp. primary and secondary research) cannot exceed
the quality of your research!] We will also examine the peer review process—a necessary part of all genuine reporting and publishing—and how to properly cite sources in written works. At the very start of our
quarter, we will look at how research professionals represent themselves in
their correspondence and credentials. Everyone will be expected to draft a resume or curriculum
vitae, and submit professional-quality correspondence. When your studies in Writing
50 are completed, you should be capable of tackling basic written
tasks within most research institutions, including formal reports, articles,
and oral presentations.
Course Requirements
In a nutshell: attending class, reading and writing. Because we are covering
a great deal of material and will frequently work in peer groups, you must come
to class. Period! Beginning week one, you will be expected to read various materials (see schedule on the course website) and be prepared
to discuss in class. We will have weekly written assignments, both
in and out of class.
Assignments: Readings
You are responsible for reading assigned course articles, plus outside
research reading for your final paper and presentation. From time to time, in-class reading quizes may be given to ensure that you have read and retained the material. Additional hardcopy
materials may be posted to the Reserve Book Desk to assist you with various assignments.
You should plan on approximately three hours of reading per week, minimum. You
are also expected to develop (or continue) the practice of annotating the readings you download to your Box directlry. We will discuss this
more in class.
Assignments: Final Paper and Presentation
Your final assignment will entail a conference-style research paper and
presentation. You will present your conference paper at the end of the quarter in a 15-minute,
professional-quality presentation using an electronic format (e.g., PowerPoint).
All conference papers and presentations must be cleared with the instructors
before commencing work.
Assignments: Short Formats
A total of six short assignment formats will be assigned during the quarter:
Assignment #1: Autobiographical summary
Assignment #2: Proposal memo
Assignment #3: Resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
Assignment #4: Cover letter
Assignment #5: Progress report memo
Assignment #6: Interview/Survey
Attendance
You are expected to attend all classes! If you have difficulty attending class
due to an emergency or illness, contact the instructor via email as quickly
as possible.
Grading
Grading is based upon: 1) class assignments (Assignments #1-6); 2) your final
paper and presentation; and 3) classroom participation. The weighting of each
for determining your final course grade is as follows:
Assignment |
Portion of Course Grade |
| Short Assignments (#1–6) | 30% |
| Conference paper (written) | 30% |
| Conference paper (oral presentation) | 20% |
| Classroom Participation (includes attendance, classroom discussions and exercises, journal writings, online blogs, and peer review work) | 20% |
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the copying of a part or whole of another person’s work while
representing the work as your own; it is an extremely serious academic offense.
Avoid plagiarism by properly citing the sources of ideas, text and graphics
used in your work. Students caught plagiarizing will receive an “F”
grade in Writing 50 and be dropped from the course. No conference paper containing
any plagiarized work will be accepted for course credit, regardless of quantity. Period....no exceptions!
Emergencies
If you experience or anticipate any emergency during the term bearing upon your
course work or attendance in Writing 50, it is your responsibility to contact
the instructors as soon as possible. In lieu of contacting us, you may leave a message with
the Writing Program office, located in South Hall 1520 (893-2613).
See also: UCSB
Writing Program website