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Spring 2002 Schedule

Date Topic/Reading Assignment due
Week 1
W Jan 30		 Course introduction In-class progress reports on project proposals
Week 2
W Feb 6		 Reading #1:  Mary Beth Debs, "Reflexive and Reflective Tensions: Considering Research Methods from Writing-Related Fields" in Rachel Spilka, ed..  Writing in the Workplace:  New Research Perspectives.   Carbondale: SIUP, 1993. 238-252.

Discussion leader:  Bridget O'Rourke

 Brief progress report/ project conference
Week 3
W Feb 13		 Reading #2: David Spradley, "Asking Descriptive Questions" and "Primary Sources of Information: Surveys, Interviews, Observations" (from Lay, Wahlstrom, Rude, Selfe, and Selzer, Technical Communication. 2nd Ed. McGraw Hill: Boston, 2000.)

Discussion leader: Kay Frey

 Brief progress report/ project conference
Week 4
W Feb 20		 Library Information Session: Finding listservs

Reading #3 "Ten Lessons I've Learned (plus one!) If I'm Going to Get Results from Training" by Bob Pike. Online.

Discussion leader: Liz Thurman

Brief progress reports/ project conferences

Submit Project Contract. In it, you will
  • Outline project goals and objectives
  • Describe the text you plan to produce and define its scope, audience, and purpose
  • Propose criteria for evaluating the finished product
  • Establish a timeline for completing the project
  • Argue for the value of the project—for you and for a broader academic or professional community
Week 5
W Feb 27		 Class cancelled for one-on-one conferences (schedule time with advisor) Return contracts, with suggestions for revision
Week 6
W Mar 6		 Library Information Session: Finding Journals (meet at Library)

Readings # 4 & 5

Topic:  Copyright and Intellectual Property Issues

Discussion leaders: Donna Curin and Nancy Stewart

Submit revised contract

Submit a critique of a sample or model project similar to your own:

  • Identify successful or unsuccessful elements of the sample
  • Analyze rhetorical strategies used by the writer(s)
  • Describe how your own project will be similar to, or different from, the model
Week 7
W Mar 13		 Reading #6: Articles on gifted education

Discussion leader: Heather Okrzesik

 Contracts signed and approved
Week 8
W Mar 20		 Reading #7: Articles on publishing

Discussion leader: Youla Simos

Project workshop

  

March 23-29:  Spring Break
Week 9
W Apr 3		 Reading #8:

Discussion leader: Deanna Pasek

 

 Progress report/conference
Week 10
W Apr 10		 Reports on journal assignment Prepare a brief (5-10 min.) oral report and handout on the results of journal analysis assignment. 
Week 11
W Apr 17		 Draft workshop Bring to class 3 copies of a substantial portion of your project draft. Include a cover memo for group members outlining audience, goals, and questions for reader response.
Week 12
W Apr 24		 Report on listserv analysis assignment Prepare a brief (5-10 min.) oral report and handout of the results of listserv analysis assignment.
Week 13
Wu May 1		 Project Workshop: Style and editing

Peer and adviser review of project drafts

 
Week 14
W May 8		 Project Presentations Prepare an in-class oral presentation (20 min.) of the results of your capstone project
Exam week   Reflective essay due:  2-3 pp. written reflection on experiences in the M.A. program