Course Description:
For students required to take an intensive writing course, Research in the Disciplines provides the opportunity to research and write about many interesting and exciting course topics. Instructors teaching 201 work closely with research librarians to teach students how to use the
Rutgers libraries' vast resources, as well as access and assess information found on the Internet.
Research in the Disciplines requires students to:
- Conduct Independent Research
Students learn how to identify, define, and execute an extended independent research project.
- Achieve Information Literacy
Students learn how to acquire, evaluate, analyze, and use information gained from multiple sources. - Pose and Answer a Research Question
Each student must pose a research question suitable for a ten-page research paper. Each student must then develop a thesis that answers that question and states the student's position. - Enter Debate, Controversy, Discussion, or Scholarly Conversation
Students frame a debate, conversation, discussion, or controversy from all sides. They then enter that discussion/ debate/ conversation/ controversy by taking a position on the topic, issue, or problem they choose to investigate. - Discover and Use Research Methods
Students must choose, articulate, and properly use research methods appropriate to the chosen topic. - Write Polished Paper
The final goal is for students to write a polished ten-page paper that articulates a problem, debate, or issue; takes a position; effectively persuades; and demonstrates the student's grasp of the topic
Course Requirements:
Analytic Essay (5 pages): This short analytic essay introduces students to the concept of "framing" an argument and applying cases [examples]/data to the frame. All readings for this paper are placed on library ereserves. That means students do not need to purchase books for this course.
Research Proposal/Annotated Bibliography: The Research Proposal with the accompanying Annotated Bibliography sets the stage for the Research Paper. By the time students complete the proposal, they will have attended several library sessions and had ample time to complete solid research under the guiding hands of 201 instructors and research librarians.
Research Journal: Each instructor decides what the Research Journal should contain. All instructors decide on the contents of the journal with one goal in mind: the journal documents each student's journey through the research process.
Research Paper (10-15 pages long): The final product is the Research Paper. It showcases each student's ability to conduct scholarly research; analyze, evaluate, and interpret information from many sources; articulate and support a position; and become a "mini-expert" on a topic of his/her choosing.
Oral Presentation (10 minutes): The Oral Presentation gives each student the opportunity to present his/her findings to the class. Students can relate their findings to the class by giving a ten-minute speech, or they can use PowerPoint, video productions, film clips, Internet downloads, etc. to augment their research story.
Tutorials:
See tutorials for common problems 201 students encounter as the semester progresses.
Course Texts:
Readings for Research in the Disciplines can be found on the Rutgers University Libraries' electronic reserves under each individual instructor’s name. They can also be accessed through each section's Sakai site.
Topics offered in Fall 2009:
See topics for this course.
Grading Criteria:
See attachments below.
 201 Grading Formula | 16 Kb | Dec-31-1969 |
 Proposal/Annotated Bibliography Grading Grid | 60 Kb | Nov-17-2009 |
| Analytic Essay Grading Grid | 46 Kb | Nov-17-2009 |
| 201 Brochure Fall 2009 | 88 Kb | Dec-31-1969 |
| Research Paper Grading Grid | 79 Kb | Nov-17-2009 |
| Spring 2010 Course Brochure | 112 Kb | Nov-17-2009 |
