Discoveries-
The following topic(s) will demonstrate what the discussion is about, but feel free to branch off or expand on the topics. At the end of the discussion, you will be asked to craft a 150 word reflection on what you have learned through this conversation and post it to the Weekly Reflection Journal. The more active you are in this part of the discussion, the more you will have to draw from in your reflection, so get involved, be active, help out your classmates when they need it, and, most of all, enjoy the conversation.
Using the mind mapping and article evaluations completed in W3, discuss two things that surprised you regarding your topic. Additionally, are you on track with your topic or have you discovered that you may need to make some changes? Why or why not? Please respond to at least two of your colleagues.
Reflection Journal-
This week, through our work, we have discussed how we outline our work and how creating annotated bibliographies can help us to keep our research organized. Additionally, we have begun to explore the following course outcomes:
- Apply knowledge of the liberal arts and/or sciences appropriate to the discipline
- Survey professional journals, magazines, books and other texts for topic source validity
- Use the critical thinking tools of comparing and contrasting
In this reflection journal, in at least 150 words, reflect back on what you have learned so far through the course readings, assignment (if you've completed it yet), and our discussion. Consider the following questions to guide your reflection:
- What, if anything, did you find surprising, particularly challenging, interesting, or useful?
- From what you know about this course so far, what connections can you make to previous learning experiences, and how do you think this course will help you as you move forward in your college and professional life?
- How do the course outcomes for this week apply to your experience so far?
- What questions do you still need answered?
Outline and Annotated Bibliography-
Using your project proposal as a guide, develop an outline for your course paper and attach an annotated bibliography of a minimum of six (6) peer-reviewed resources. When you have completed your work, submit it to the drop box as a single document. Please refer to the following guidelines to help you shape your work:
Outline
Your outline should include the following:
- A brief introduction identifying your topic area, a working thesis statement, and a clearly defined statement on the position you are taking in this project
- A brief outline of each subpoint you will make to support your thesis statement (each subpoint you make will eventually become a body paragraph or two in your paper-you should plan to make several subpoints throughout your paper)
- A brief statement referring to how you might conclude your paper
You should expect to alter and define your position as you craft your paper, but you should use your outline to help you stay on track throughout the research and writing process.
Annotated Bibliography
Your annotated bibliography should include a full, APA-style citation followed by a brief annotation of at least six (6) peer-reviewed resources.
Each of your annotations should do the following:
- Identify the name of the source and the author(s)
- Summarize the main point(s) the author(s) makes and any relevant supporting subpoints
- Include a statement referring to the quality of the source (is it effective?) and how you might use it in your research project to support your position.