REL 399 : "Sr. Seminar"

http://www.gac.edu/~avaughn/REL399/REL399(spring2003).html

Course Description (Catalog):
The senior seminar provides an opportunity for the major to explore in depth an issue of special interest in religious studies. The thesis will be associated with one of the four departmental areas, and will reflect careful consideration of relevant methodological problems. The thesis will be written under the direction of the seminar instructor, critiqued by seminar students, and defended before three members of the department. Prerequisite: prior to registration, there must be approval of a thesis proposal by the seminar instructor.
[ Course Requirements | Textbooks | Schedule | Feb | Mar | April | May ]
REL 399 "Sr. Seminar"
Spring 2003
REL 399-002: MWF 2:30PM, OM 108
 
Professor:
Dr. Andy Vaughn  Dr. Mary Solberg
office: OM 105C  office: OM 103B
office telephone: x7475  office telephone: x7470
home telephone: 934-1225 (before 8PM)  home telephone: 934-1093 (before 8PM)
email: avaughn@gustavus.edu  email: msolberg@gustavus.edu
office hours: M 9:00-10:00; W 9:00-10:00; F 1:30-2:20 AND by appointment
 office hours: MWF 11:30-12:30; TR 2-3pm AND by appointment.

Required Texts:
-The Chicago Manual of Style, 14th edition (for sale in Bookmark)
-Readings will be handed out in class

Course Requirements: The student will complete the following requirements:
  1. Preparation and completion of a thesis as described in course description above. Thesis should be about 40 pages long. If it is more than 60 pages long, student will need written permission from seminar instructor; if it is less than 35 pages long, the student will need a good reason.
  2. Faithful attendance at scheduled classes.
  3. Preparation of reading assignments for discussion as indicated in syllabus. (We will institute written assignments related to the readings if we discover seminar members are not prepared to discuss them.)
  4. Participation in the seminar discussions.
  5. Presentations (posters, etc.) to seminar &/or public as assigned.
  6. Meeting all thesis-preparation deadlines.
  7. Oral defense of thesis.
Anticipated Method of Evaluation:
Participation (includes keeping up with the schedule): 15%
Thesis paper: 60%
Oral defense of thesis: 25%
____
100%
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE OF TOPICS AND READINGS

Section One: Opening

Feb. 10 (M) Course introduction
-discuss 30 second ("Aunt Sally") thesis statement
-discuss subject of your project, sketch out thesis
-look through CMS and bring to class
12 (W): Essay discussion
-read David Tracy, "Interpretation, Conversation, Argument,"
-Turn in a sign statement from your thesis adviser to confirm that you have found an adviser.
14 (F): No class-- "The Heart of Gustavus" campus-wide discussion in Lund Center
17 (M): discussion of thesis and discussion of correct style
-30 second ("Aunt Sally") thesis statement due
-look through Chicago Manual of Style, Style A-bring your bibliography (between 6-8 items) to class in correct format (both footnotes and biblography)
-bring Chicago Manual of Style to class
-Bring your bibliography (at least 6 items) to class in correct format, revised if necessary
19 (W): library day
-assignment to be announced
21 (F): Work day (professor available for consultation)
24 (M): Essay discussion
-read selected pages from Friedrich Schleiermacher, The Christian Faith,
26 (W): Thesis discussion
-bring enough copies of detailed thesis statement and detailed outline to class to share with member of class and instructor
-bring 2-5 pages of your introduction to hand in to instructor
Feb 28 (F): Library Day
-assignment to be announced
Mar 03 (M): Essay discussion
-read selected pages from Ludwig Feuerbach, "The Essense of Religion Considered Generally,"
05 (W): Field Trip to Writing Center)
07 (F): bring outline of poster and discussion
-bring copies of your thesis outline to class
-bring copies of your bibliography in correct style
-bring an idea for your poster and hopefully and outline of the poster
10 (M): Outline of poster and discussion
-poster should desribe your project for others
-poster should be heavy on text and outline
12 (W): work day
14 (F): Essay discussion
-read selected pages from Donna Haraway, "Situated Knowledge,"
17 (M): Work day
19 (W): 1st chapter or section due (at least 10-12 pages)
-discussion of stylistic issues
-bring style questions to class
-bring Chicago Manual of Style to class
21 (F): individual meetings during class hour
24 (M): individual meetings during class hour
26 (W): 2nd chapter or section due (at least 10-12 pages)
-discussion of theses
-bring 4 copies of your thesis statement and a list of problems (if any) to class
28(F): work day
31 (M): no class (Spring Break)
April 02 (W): no class (Spring Break)
04 (F): no class (Spring Break)
07 (M): work day
09 (W): complete draft of thesis due
-the draft must be in "final" form with correct use of citations, etc
11 (F): individual meetings and work day
14 (M): individual meetings and work day
16 (W): review and discussion of sytlistic questions
-bring CMS to class
18 (F): no class (Easter Break)
21 (M): no class (Easter Break)
23 (W): final poster prep day: revise your comments and revise actual post
25 (F): class will meet; assignment to be announced
28 (M): Second complete draft of thesis due
30 (W): MAYDAY! No class.
May 02 (F): individual meetings during class hour or by appointment
05 (M): work day (Andy and Mary available for consultation)
06 (Tu): Final Thesis due Linda Elvee by 10:30AM (5 copies)
-5 clean copies with the original printed on a high quality laser printer
-make sure that the printer has enough toner
-tardiness is unacceptable
07 (W): final poster session before public presentation
-bring finished poster to class
-present polished 3-minute presentation in class
09 (F): from 6:30pm - 9:00pm "Public Presentation of your research with Posters"
-This is an extra class meeting and required
-both sections of REL 399 will meet in Linner Lounge (or another location to be announced); please be there by 6:40 to set up your poster
09-17 Oral defenses
21 (W): final wrapup