GENL 201 - Presidential Scholars Project Preparation

1 Credits: (1 lecture)

Course Description
This course is preparation for the completion of the Presidential Scholars Project. The Presidential Scholars Project is a student-centered learning activity providing an opportunity for a deeper understanding of a specific area or topic.

Prerequisite Enrollment in the Presidential Scholars Program and completion of six credits of Scholars designated courses.

A.  Conduct literature searches through the library and internet. 

B.  Develop a bibliography of pertinent research articles. 

C.  Create a portfolio of research articles and their summaries. 

D.  Narrow a chosen topic to a specific aspect. 

E.  Construct effective research questions and hypothesis. 

F.  Formulate a compelling project question and a plan to investigate that question. 

G. Identify an industry or faculty mentor.  

Content
Students can expect a variety of classroom activities including: 

A.  Lecture  

B.  Discussion  

C.  Individual conferences regarding their writing and research 

D.  The creation of an independent study project proposal  

Student Evaluation
A. Development of a portfolio comprising research sources and their brief summarization 

B. Development of a bibliography of research sources 

C. Development of a portfolio comprising research sources and their brief summarization 

D. Presentation of an independent study project proposal  

E. Presentation of an independent study project proposal 

F. Creation of research question for an independent study project 

G. Creation of research question for an independent study project Bibliography
 ”Doing Research with Undergraduates.” The Chronicle of Higher Education, 15 Aug. 2011, www.chronicle.com/article/Doing-Research-With/128613/.  

Griswold, Matthew P. “Collegiate Scholars: a Case Study of High School Students  

Enrolled in College-Level Courses.” Arizona State U, 2008.  

Martinez, Julia A. et al. “Blue-Collar Scholars?: Mediators and Moderators of University  

Attrition in First-Generation College Students.” Journal of College Student Development, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2009, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2742431/.  

Moore, Kenneth D. Effective Instructional Strategies: From Theory to Practice. Thousand Oaks, SAGE, 2005.  

 ”Using a Blog in an Independent Study Comments.” ProfHacker,  

www.chronicle.com/blogs/profhacker/using-a-blog-in-an-independent-study/35486.