Writing 109SS: Writing for the Social Sciences
Spring 2006

Instructor: James Donelan
Email: donelan@writing.ucsb.edu
Office Phone: 893-7177; messages only, 893-2613
Office Location:
1523 South Hall
Office Hours:
Monday, 11-12; Tuesday, 9:30-10:30, or by appointment.
Class Meetings: T R 8-9:15, Girvetz 2116  
Lab Meetings:
Class will meet in Phelps 1530 on Thursdays.
Enroll Code: 45070 
Texts:
ConnectWeb, a computer program, is available online via E-commerce for $20. Purchase of the program is mandatory.
Steger, Globalization: A Very Short Introduction (Global) ISBN: 0-19-280359-X
Hult, Researching and Writing in the Social Sciences, ISBN: 0-19-280359-X

Texts are available in the UCen Bookstore. Copies of the course books will not be on reserve; please purchase them as soon as possible.

ConnectWeb Home Page: http://connectweb.com/ucsb.asp

Course Description:
The course will allow students to refine their skills in scholarship and writing in the social sciences. Students will address the issues of evidence, interpretation, methodology, and critique in social science research as part of a longer project.

Course Outcomes:
Students who complete the course successfully should be able to:

Requirements:
The course requires regular attendance, active participation in class discussion and activities, and timely completion of all assignments, including short on-line assignments, an annotated bibliography (1500 words), a brief essay on methodology (1800 words), and a longer research project (3000 words). All written assignments after the first week are due on-line through ConnectWeb. In addition, please note:


Syllabus

Please note: Full descriptions of all writing assignments are posted on ConnectWeb. Both the assignments and their deadlines may change—be sure to check the syllabus posted on ConnectWeb as the class progresses.

I. Research and Summary: Annotated Bibliography

4/4
Introduction and Logistics: Writing for the Social Sciences

4/6
Class meets in Phelps 1530.
Reading:
Researching, Chapter 1; Global, Chapter 1
Homework: 250 word statement of personal goals for the course.
In-class: Beginning the Annotated Bibliography.

4/11
Reading:
Researching, Chapters 2 and 3; Global, Chapter 2
Homework: 250 word annotated bibliography entry for an article. Please have the assignment available as a Microsoft Word or html file, if possible.
In-class: Introduction to ConnectWeb; creation of working groups. Your writing strengths and weaknesses.

4/13
Class meets in Phelps 1530.
Reading:
Researching, Chapter 6; Global, Chapter 3
Homework: Annotated bibliography entry for a book.
In-class: The parts of a book; effective summarizing; improving sentence style.

4/18
Reading:
Global, Chapter 4
Homework: Full rough draft of annotated bibliography.
In-class: Introducing an annotated bibliography; peer review of drafts.

4/20
Class meets in Phelps 1530.
Reading:
Global, Chapter 5
Homework: Annotated bibliography due. Please post by class time.
In-class: Introduction to methodology essay assignment; method and critique.

II. Critique and Method: Methodology Essay

4/25
Reading: Researching, Chapter 4; Global, Chapter 6
Homework: Prospectus of methodology essay.
In-class:
Peer review of prospectuses; improving paragraph style.

4/27
Class meets in Phelps 1530.
Reading: Global, Chapter 7
Homework: Outline and first paragraph of methodology essay.
In-class:
Research methods; evaluation of sources

5/3
Reading: Global, Chapter 8
Homework: Half rough draft of methodology essay.

5/5
Class meets in Phelps 1530.

5/6 Methodology essay final draft due.

III. The Social Science Research Project

5/9
Reading: Researching, Chapter 5
Homework: Prospectus for final project.
In-class: Peer review of prospectuses; beginning an outline.

5/11
Class meets in Phelps 1530.
Homework:
Preliminary research and outline; revision of prospectuses. (Bring a hard copy to class.)
In-class:
Project plans and time management.

5/16
Homework: Reading notes; revised outline.
In-class: Large-scale structure.

5/18
Class meets in Phelps 1530.
Homework:
Full outline.
In-class: Peer assessment of progress.

5/23
Homework:
First paragraph and working thesis.
In-class: Thesis building; peer review.

5/25
Class meets in Phelps 1530.
Homework:
Draft of first two pages.
In-class: Working titles; progress report.

5/30
Homework:
Half of rough draft; check of preliminary materials. Bring paper copies of notes, outlines, and drafts to class.
In-class: Peer review of drafts and preliminary materials.

6/1
Class meets in Phelps 1530.
Homework:
Full rough draft.
In-class: First peer review of drafts.

6/6
Homework:
First revision of rough draft, including title, in-text citations, and list of works cited. Bring paper copy to class.
In-class:
Final checklist.

6/8
Class meets in Phelps 1530.
Homework: Second Revision of Final Project.|
In-class: Second peer review of drafts.
Last Day of Class

6/12 Final Project Due.