Miyazaki International College Course Syllabus
Course Title ( Credits ) SA202-4 Independent Study (4 credits) Course Designation for TC N/A
Instructor (email) George Knapman ([email protected])
Office/Ext MIC 1-408 / ext. 3733
Office hours Posted on office doors
Course Description:
Study of a local culture, social issue, or other aspect of an area of interest to the student. The student may conduct formal research or produce a work which reports on their extensive direct experience of the topic being studied (if abroad).
Course Goals/Objectives:
In this on-campus course, the student conducts independent research guided by the academic advisor. The goal is to plan and write a final paper that draws on and cites the research conducted by the student during the semester. To reach this goal, the student must:
Discuss potential research topics with the advisor.
Formulate a research question with guidance from and approval of the advisor.
Conduct preliminary research and write an annotated bibliography.
Write a 10-page paper and submit it to the advisor via the Mahara e-Portfolio.
In addition, the student should:
Choose a research topic that is interesting to the student and has academic merit (as determined through consultation with the advisor).
Expect guidance from the advisor about selected research sources.
Consult the academic advisor to write a paper that adheres to the standards of academic English.
Report progress to the academic advisor and seek advice as needed.
Complete any revisions required by the advisor before the final deadline.
Tentative Course Schedule (Subject to change according to the student’s progress and/or need for guidance)
Day Topic Content/Activities
1 Syllabus and Course Introduction Student and advisor meet to discuss the syllabus and understand the purpose of the course.
2 Research Topics The student prepares a list of areas/topics of academic interest and discusses it with the advisor.
3 Research Question The student and advisor agree on the research area/topic and
the research question. The advisor gives the student guidance on research and on writing an annotated bibliography.
4
Preliminary Research Phase
- The student begins library and Internet research and consults with the advisor as necessary.
5 - The student continues library and Internet research and
consults with the advisor as necessary.
6 - The student continues library and Internet research and
consults with the advisor as necessary
7 - The student submits an annotated bibliography and
meets with the advisor to discuss it.
8
Transition from Research to Writing Phase
- The student submits a revised annotated bibliography if necessary. If not, the student begins writing the research paper.
9 - The advisor redistributes the updated syllabus (see
Required Materials below). The student begins or continues writing the research paper and consults with the advisor as necessary.
10 - The student continues writing the research paper and
consults with the advisor as necessary.
11 - The student and advisor meet to discuss the student’s
progress toward completion and the student
substantiates said progress (see Class Preparation and Review below). The advisor may request revisions of written work completed so far.
12
Writing and Revising Phase
- The student continues writing the research paper and submits any necessary revisions. The student meets with the advisor to discuss revisions as necessary.
13 - The student continues writing the research paper.
14 - The student and advisor meet to discuss the student’s
progress toward completion and the student
substantiates said progress (see Class Preparation and Review below). The advisor may request revision of written work completed since the last review/revision.
15 - The student continues writing and meets with the advisor to discuss final revisions as necessary.
16 Submit Final Paper Student submits final, 10-page paper via Mahara e-Portfolio
Required Materials:
The student and advisor will agree on the preliminary, required readings for the course during the initial research phase. Upon submission and review of the annotated bibliography, the advisor will list the working reading list here and redistribute a revised copy of the syllabus to the student.
Course Policies (Attendance, etc.) Attendance and Participation
As an Independent Study course, the student takes responsibility to manage research and writing time under the guidance of the academic advisor. The advisor is available to the student during the advisor’s posted office hours and at other times by appointment. Where the syllabus schedule indicates a required meeting between the student and advisor, the student must attend.
Assignment Deadlines
Assignments are due according to the syllabus schedule above. The student must submit the final paper (10-pages) via the Mahara e-Portfolio by February 10th, 2017.
Academic Integrity
MIC’s Academic Honesty policy prohibits cheating, fabrication, and plagiarism. The Bulletin and Handbook of Student Information explains this policy. Students should understand it and ask the instructor if they have any questions.
Violating the Academic Honesty can result in failing an assignment, being asked to withdraw from the course, or other appropriate actions.
Class Preparation and Review
As an Independent Study course, the academic advisor guides the student toward completion of the course goals and objectives, but primary responsibility for managing research and writing time lies with the student. During meetings between the advisor and student, the student should be prepared to substantiate progress toward completion of the course goals and objectives. The student can do so by submitting written work or by delivering an oral report to the advisor. It is also the student’s responsibility to prepare for meetings with the advisor and review meeting contents afterwards. Typically, a student will spend one hour of preparation and one hour of review time for each meeting with the academic advisor.
Grades and Grading
This is a Pass/Fail course. The academic advisor determines the student’s final grade as follows:
P: Student’s work adequately satisfies course requirements.
F: Student’s work is inadequate to satisfy course requirements. (May not be removed by repeating the course.)
If a student fails this class, the student must take the class again in the third or fourth year and pass it in order to graduate. If a student fails this course, English (SAB-201), and Area Studies (SAB-203), the student will be placed on academic probation the following semester.
Notes: The last day to withdraw from this course is Tuesday, January 31, 2017.
Advanced Proficient Developing Emerging No Attempt
Critical Thinking
Ability to Identify & Solve
Problems Insightful comments in class discussions Student shows proven ability to analyze data,
gather and assess resources, and disseminate opinions in a scholarly manner.
Able to contribute to class discussions, and to perform a basic analysis of data, gather
and assess resources, and express opinions in
an adequate manner.
Beginning to visualize the ways in which information can be
combined and applied to solving a given problem, but
struggles with complex and relationships
Student shows motivation but must
learn the concepts and mechanisms that
apply to critical thinking, such as
information gathering, assessment and
synthesis
I had no idea that this student was even enrolled in my
class that is how underwhelming this
student’s performance was!
Information Gathering
Assessment of Credibility
Advanced Communication Proficiency
Public Speaking
Speaking is clear, using a broad range of vocabulary and relative
jargon. Student uses appropriate social cues
and nuance.
Able to create a relevant response when asked to express an opinion or respond
to a complicated situation, but pronunciation and grammar can often make responses and explanations unclear to
a listener and must be interpreted.
Able to answer questions and give basic information.
However, inconsistent pronunciation, intonation and stress may sometimes make
their responses difficult to understand or
interpret.
Student is unsuccessful or finds it very difficult when attempting to explain
an opinion or respond to a complicated scenario.
The response may be limited to a single sentence or part of a
sentence.
Social Skills
Professional Skills
Global Perspectives
Cultural Relevancy Fully engaged in current events and
shows and understanding of social
inequalities and cultural differences.
Student is aware of current events and world cultures, but is unable to apply macro-
level situations to her/his own life.
Exhibits interest and intrigue in current
events and world culture, but has
difficulty understanding
relevancy.
Student expresses one-sided ideals from an ethnocentric point of view. Completely
lacks awareness of world issues or
events.
Awareness of Current Events & Global Issues
English Language Ability
Reading Exhibits fluency/near fluency in speaking and
writing. Grammar and reading ability
Proficient English ability; relies mainly on
familiar vocabulary.
Should be encouraged
Adequate English ability; must reference dictionary
often
Student has some English ability, but lacks confidence in
using and Writing
Oral Communication
Writing similar to native English speaker. Able to use context clues when faced with unfamiliar
vocabulary.
to advanced beyond comfort zone.
understanding.
Very limited vocabulary knowledge, struggles
with grammar and pronunciation Unable to form
questions Oral Communication
