UMUC-Europe Syllabus

Designed to help students enhance their research and writing skills. Instruction and practice in the fundamentals of the research and writing process: planning and beginning a paper, citing sources, and presenting the paper in manuscript form. Both the MLA and APA styles of documentation are used.

Course Goals/Objectives:

Upon the completion of this course students will be able to: * Develop a viable thesis * Design a research strategy appropriate to the topic to be researched * Use contextual citations appropriately; cite quotes, paraphrases, and summaries correctly; use correct punctuation when integrating quotes, paraphrases, or summaries. * Use APA (American Psychological Association) and MLA (Modern Language Association) documentation methods. * Navigate internet databases and use internet search engines more effectively. * Write correct citations and create a "Works Cited Page" * Format the research paper according to MLA guidelines

Course Introduction:

This course is a must for any degree seeking college student, as it introduces the student to the many elements that constitute a successful research paper. Most college courses require students to both research well and to write effectively about what they learn. In fact, in many upper level courses, the research project represents a major portion of the overall grade in the course. Those who have taken the time to develop the necessary skills to write clear, cogent, grammatically and mechanically correct essays are more successful students. And this success in the classroom will translate to promotions on the job, as good writing is a powerful communication tool, one which those at the top must possess. This is definitely the course to take if you are upward bound!

Grading Information and Criteria:

Your grade in this course will be determined as follows: Research Log 50% Final Exam 30% Participation 20%

Other Information:

Any other information the instructor wishes to add. This might include: * General expectations of students, such as hours per week students should expect to devote to the class * Turnaround time for faculty to respond to email and return papers * Unique class procedures or activities (such as cooperative learning exercises, panel presentations, case study methods, class journals or learning logs) * Supplemental objectives (such as development of skills like teamwork, writing, oral presentation; integration of knowledge on focus topics) * Optional activities such as study groups

Project Descriptions:

Research Log: Topic Thesis Statement Working Outline of Research Paper 5-6 sources including online database sources Works Cited Page

Academic Policies:

none

Course Schedule:

Day 1 Choosing a Topic Libraries and Electronic Sources The Thesis and Outline Doing Research Systems of Documentation Day 2 Transforming Notes (Direct Quotes, Paraphrase, Summary) Mechanics and Paper Format Analysis of Completed Papers (in text) Citation Workshop Finished Form of the Paper (Outline, etc.) Exam