Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Writing Assignments

Interdisciplinary Campus Events

1. Post invitations on our class blog to at least TWO campus/local events with some connection to your major concentration. Be expansive and creative in imagining the connections with your area of study. The events may be scholarly, artistic, cultural, or just fun. They may be free or not.

2. You are to GO to at least TWO of the campus events posted. At least one of the events should be connected in some way to your area of study. The other should be unrelated.

3. Write a brief 300-600 word essay about BOTH of the events you attended. Be sure to explain why (or why not) the events could be described as interdisciplinary along with specifics describing the events. Post your essay to the class blog and hand in a printed copy to your instructor.

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Theories of Interdisciplinarity

1. Pick ONE of the three handouts we have read and discussed in class (the multi-author packet on Interdisciplinarity; Stanley Fish; Richard Carp).

2. Carefully explain and explore the vision of interdisciplinarity being discussed by the author/s.

3. Then explore and explain the connections and implications of these arguments for your own area of interdisciplinary study. Be specific and focused in applying the discussion to your own concentration.

4. What conclusions can you draw about your own interdisciplinary work from this discussion? What particular challenges does your area of interdisciplinary study raise? Why? How might you try to address these issues. Explain.

5. Your essay should be 750-1500 words. Post your essay to the class blog and hand in a printed copy to your instructor.

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Statement of Purpose

1. Write a 500-1000 word essay describing exactly WHAT you are studying and WHY you studying it. That is, explain your interdisciplinary concentration as clearly, directly, specifically, and concretely as possible. Then explain why you chose this area of study and why it is important. Post your essay to the class blog and hand in a printed copy to your instructor.

2. Write a 500-1000 word essay explaining HOW you will study your particular interdisciplinary concentration. And WHY you will approach your concentration in this fashion. Be clear, specific, and concrete in your discussion including a discussion of methods, areas of knowledge, and strategies for integration; a list specific courses for your program of study; and an outline of your portfolio plan. Post your essay to the class blog and hand in a printed copy to your instructor.

3. After discussing your essays with your instructor, revise and integrate your two essays into a final Statement of Purpose. Post your final essay to the class blog, hand in a printed copy to your instructor, and submit a completed individually designed packet to the IDS program director if appropriate.

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Due Dates:

10/15: Post invitations on the blog to at least two campus events related to your concentration.

10/21 Essay due in class (any one of the four described above).

11/4 Essay due in class (any one of the four described above).

11/18 Essay due in class (any one of the four described above).

12/2 Essay due in class (any one of the four described above).

12/9 Final Integrated Statement of Purpose Due in class.

TBA: Attend Senior Seminar Presentations.

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