General Studies (GNST) 201 - Lecture 03
Inquiry Seminar in Communication and Culture - Understanding Your Roots: Research Into Communities and Families
Fall 2006
Social Sciences 315 Tuesday and Thursday 12:30 - 13:45  

Instructor:	Dr. Heather Devine
Office Location:	312, Social Sciences Bldg.
Office Phone:	(403) 220-3894
E-Mail:	hdevine@ucalgary.ca
Web Page:
Office Hours:	by appointment

Course Description

Are you a member of a distinctive ethnic group? Where does your family come from? Do you know who your ancestors are, and how they lived? Canada is a country composed of a rich and diverse mix of people. In order to understand and explain the changing values, attitudes, and behaviors of different cultural groups over time, scholars who specialize in social history conduct research into families and communities.

This course will introduce students to archival research through the study of their own family (or ethnic community’s) history. Students will collect and analyze data using a variety of primary and secondary sources, and use this information to shed light on broader themes in the fields of ethnic, religious and urban history. They will share this information with members of the class through written, oral, and multimedia presentations.

Objectives of the Course

Students will develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of :

- the interdisciplinary nature of knowledge;

- social history;

- how knowledge is created, refined, and circulated in an academic environment;

- how to develop and refine research questions;

- how to locate, read, evaluate, present, and write about primary and secondary sources;

- how to integrate source material to present an argument or point of view;

- how to improve written work through review and revision;

- how to provide, and accept, constructive criticism;

Textbooks and Readings:

Heritage Notes No. 11 - "How to Do Oral History" by Judy Larmour

Bringing your Family History to Life through Social History by Katherine Scott Sturdevant

The Little, Brown Essential Handbook for Writers - by Aaron and Bander

All of the above are available for purchase in the University of Calgary Bookstore.

Assignments and Evaluation

It is the student's responsibility to keep a copy of each submitted assignment.

Students are required to submit ALL assignments in order to achieve a passing grade in GNST 201.

The assignments for this course consist of a series of projects. Each project is intended to teach a specific research skill and assist in completing the final project paper. Specific requirements for the successful completion of each project will be distributed to students on the first day of class.

Project Proposal - 5%

- 500 words maximum - Due THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 21, 2006;

Bibliography - 5%

Students are required to identify a minimum of 15 appropriate bibliographic references germane to their research, to be submitted to the instructor - Due THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 28, 2006;

Oral History Interview - 30%

Students are required to interview a family member or other knowledgeable individual to acquire information. Items to be submitted to the instructor include: a taped oral interview OR handwritten interview questionnaire and transcript; a list of interview questions; a detailed interview summary; a signed release form; and a reflective evaluation of the interview process. - Due THURSDAY NOVEMBER 16, 2006;

Oral Presentation to Class (Progress Report) - 20%

Each student will give a 20-30 minute presentation to the class, describing their research activities, what they have discovered, and the roadblocks they have encountered. Students will have the opportunity to share photographs, objects, or other interesting items with the group. The dates scheduled for this activity will be during the classes scheduled for the end of October, the month of November, and the first half of December. The last day for this activity will be THURSDAY DECEMBER 7, 2006. A maximum of three students will present each day. NOTE: Completion of overall research is NOT required for this assignment - it is a PROGRESS REPORT.

Final Project Paper - 30%

Students must submit a typed, double-spaced report (minimum 10 pages, title page and bibliography extra) on their family or community, which integrates the oral and bibliographic research conducted, and which places this family/community history into a larger social, political, and/or economic context. This assignment is due the LAST DAY OF THIS PARTICULAR CLASS, which is THURSDAY DECEMBER 07, 2006.

Class Participation - Peer Evaluation of Oral Presentations - 10%

Students are expected to attend the oral presentations of fellow students in order to complete evaluation forms as audience members. for this reason, regualr attendance is mandatory. The Class participation grade will be calculated on the basis of regular attendance at oral presentations and the submission of signed evaluation forms at the end of student presentations. PLEASE NOTE: Peer evaluation is designed to improve students' critical skills, but is NOT intended to take the place of the instructor's evaluation of oral presentations.

NOTE: There is NO final examination in this course.

Note: Please return assignments directly to the instructor. If you cannot return the assignment in class, please contact the instructor by e-mail to set up a time to submit the material.

NOTE: There is NO final examination in this course.

Registrar-scheduled Final Examination: No

Please note: If your class is held in the evening, the Registrar's Office will make every attempt to schedule the final exam during the evening; however, there is NO guarantee that the exam will NOT be scheduled during the day.

Policy for Late Assignments

Students are advised that ALL late assignments will be penalized 5% for every day that is late, to a total of 25%. NO assignment will be accepted after five days past the due date. deadline.

Writing Skills Statement

Faculty policy directs that all written assignments (including, although to a lesser extent, written exam responses) will be assessed at least partly on writing skills. For details see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info. Writing skills include not only surface correctness (grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, etc) but also general clarity and organization. Research papers must be properly documented.

If you wish help with your writing at any stage, including drafts, you are invited to contact the Writing Centre, SS110, 220-7255.

Grading System

The following grading system is used in the Faculty of Communication and Culture:

A+ (96-100); A (92-95); A- (86-91); B+ (81-85); B (77-80); B- (71-76);
C+ (65-70); C (62-64); C- (59-61); D+ (55-58); D (50-54); F (0-49)

 

Plagiarism

Using any source whatsoever without clearly documenting it is a serious academic offense. For details see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info. Consequences include failure on the assignment, failure in the course and possibly suspension or expulsion from the university.

You must document not only direct quotations but also paraphrases and ideas where they appear in your text. A reference list at the end is insufficient by itself. Readers must be able to tell exactly where your words and ideas end and other people’s words and ideas begin. This includes assignments submitted in non-traditional formats such as Web pages or visual media, and material taken from such sources.

Please consult your instructor or the Writing Centre (SS110) if you have any questions regarding how to document sources.

Students with Disabilities

If you are a student with a disability who may require academic accommodation, it is your responsibility to register with the Disability Resource Centre (220-8237) and discuss your needs with your instructor no later than fourteen (14) days after the start of the course.

Students' Union

For details about the current Students' Union contacts for the Faculty of Communication and Culture see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info

"SAFEWALK" Program -- 220-5333

Campus Security will escort individuals day or night -- call 220-5333 for assistance. Use any campus phone, emergency phone or the yellow phone located at most parking lot booths.

Schedule of Lectures and Readings

To be posted for student download on Blackboard.