Graduate School of Intercultural Communications

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OTR500G1－402（その他 / Others 500）
Thesis Writing B

PaulSmith JASON

Class code etc
Faculty/Graduate school Graduate School of Intercultural Communications
Attached documents
Year 2021
Class code X2031
Previous Class code
Previous Class title
Term 秋学期授業/Fall
Day/Period 水3/Wed.3
Class Type
Campus 市ヶ谷
Classroom name
Grade
Credit(s) 2
Notes
Class taught by instructors with practical experience

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Outline and objectives

The course will review the fundamentals of good English writing, and help students build a solid foundation in the English writing mechanics and style used in academic papers.

Goal

Participants will take an active approach to increasing their English writing skills, and ultimately write an academic research paper. Participants will focus on basic research and academic writing methods. Mechanics of writing such as summarizing, paraphrasing, narrowing topics; and developing thesis statements and topic sentences, as well making accurate citations will be learned. The Modern Language Association (MLA) writing format will be used.

Which item of the diploma policy will be obtained by taking this class?

ディプロマポリシーのうち，「DP1」，「DP2」，「DP3」，「DP4」の達成のために重要である

Default language used in class

英語 / English

Method(s)（学期の途中で変更になる場合には、別途提示します。 /If the Method(s) is changed, we will announce the details of any changes. ）

Students receive feedback as follows on each assignment they submit; the teacher evaluates their work with a letter grade as well as written comments on their work and suggestions for any improvements needed. The course will emphasize writing, coherence, and common stylistic errors in academic writing. Students will develop a bibliography and build support for their research papers. This class will not be filled by endless lectures. Instead, time will be occupied by writing practice and peer editing. Thesis Writing A emphasizes the usage of a textbook while Thesis Writing B will be taught with teacher handouts and much in-class writing. The repetition between semesters is intentional; practice & more practice. I reserve the right to make adjustments to this syllabus to meet the collective needs of the class.

Active learning in class (Group discussion, Debate.etc.)

あり / Yes

Fieldwork in class

なし / No

Schedule

秋学期

※各回の授業形態は予定です。教員の指示に従ってください。

第1回：Tentative Course Schedule

Go over syllabus.

第2回：Identifying and creating thesis statements

Review: identifying and creating thesis statements. Student practice of this
concept Homework: One page paper on why you are pursuing a Master's
Degree (due next week). Handout list of academic topics for research paper

第3回：What is the difference between a thesis statement and a topic sentence?

Peer editing on the above essay, When and Where to use Personal Pronouns
homework (due next week) your topic for research and why you chose it.

第4回：In class writing

Modern Language Association (MLA formatting), work on term paper,
quotations Laptop computers required from this class and all remaining classes

第5回：Beginnings/Endings: Titles, Introductions, Quotations, Conclusions

More on MLA formatting. Short lecture with "avoiding ambiguity" handout.
Independent work on essays and Q&A.

第6回：How to research

Supporting information for your essay, coherent paragraphs with transitions,
citing sources.

第7回：Writing bibliographies

One half hour lecture on writing bibliographies followed by trip to the library to select supporting information with citations.

第8回：Process of Revising

Short lecture on rewriting followed by application and peer editing.
Beginnings and ends (titles, intros and conclusions).

第9回：Review and beyond

Developing thesis statements, topic sentences, and supporting ideas &
independent work on essays.

第10回：Feedback

Q & A…First hard copy draft of five page essay due. In class pair-work and review.

第11回：Workshop

First drafts returned with feedback. Q & A as well as pair-work and
independent writing of 2nd draft.

第12回：Lecture & Workshop

Short lecture on solidifying writing techniques followed by independent writing.

第13回：Wrapping things up

Hard copy of 2nd draft of five page essay due. Stressing clarity & thought
provoking writing. In class writing.

第14回：Review

Lecture of main writing mechanics previously taught. In class writing.

Work to be done outside of class (preparation, etc.)

Students will have to read and understand all handouts given in class as well as materials for each class, as instructed.
Students on average need to allow 90 minutes for each scheduled class.

Textbooks

From Paragraph to Essay (NAN'UN-DO) ISBN 978-4-523-17727-2 C0082

References

Handouts given by the instructor

Grading criteria

Homework and assigned work must be handed in on the date announced by the instructor. Assignments submitted late without an acceptable excuse and formal verification for the absence will result in a loss of ten points per day for the assignment. Plagiarism: knowingly representing the words of another as one's own in any academic activity will automatically result in a failing grade on the assignment.

50% Participation, Discussions and Homework
50% Textbook Exercises and Writing Assignments

Changes following student comments

The class is offered for one full academic year as explained above.
Although the aim of the instructor is to follow the syllabus, he reserves the right to make adjustments or changes when necessary.

Equipment student needs to prepare

Thesis Writing B requires students to have a laptop computer starting the second week of the semester.

担当教員の専門分野等

＜専門領域＞ American Studies
＜研究テーマ＞ Social Studies
＜主要研究業績＞ The Uprising of the Molly Maguires in Eastern Pennsylvania, Washington State University Press, 1991

Lost Art of the Cornet Society, Sidgwick & Jackson Ltd; June, 2005