Meeting time: MWF 3:30--4:35
Place: 305 Divinity North
Instructors: Dr. Mark Baggett jmbagget@samford.edu
Office: 325 Divinity North
Phone: English Dept. Office: 726-2309; Law Office: 726-4129
Office hours: MW 2:00-4:30 p.m.

Course Description
Senior Thesis consists mainly of a directed study project focused on the development of a 30-page thesis that should be based on an essay written for an upper-level English class at Samford. The essay will be evaluated by external examiners, and an abbreviated but carefully edited and prepared version will be presented orally to classmates, faculty, and guests.

The thesis should be a "substantial" paper on a work or works of literature written in English, demonstrating your skills in research and in critical analysis and in organizing and managing a longer research paper.

This course is premised on your ability to work independently and in depth. Thus, most of the work happens outside of class, but regular conferences with the instructor and enthusiastic participation in our occasional class meetings are essential. The only text needed for the class, and it is on reserve, is the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers.

Class meetings other than the ones listed below on the schedule may be called as deemed necessary.

Course Objectives
1) Knowledge of the writing process, including stages of prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing, and writing across a specific curriculum;
2) Knowledge of the impact of purpose, occasion, and audience on written and spoken discourse;
3) Knowledge and practice of effective listening techniques;
4) Knowledge of the inter-relatedness of listening, speaking, reading, and writing;
5) Knowledge of strategies for improving reading and writing skills, including comprehension;
6) The ability to demonstrate the interrelation of listening, speaking, reading, and writing using a variety of methods;
7) The ability to demonstrate collaborative learning;
8) The ability to identify facts, implications, assumptions, inferences, and judgments in spoken and written discourse;
9) The ability to structure and expand ideas into coherent writing;
10) The ability to demonstrate the writing process, including the stages of prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing.

Explanation of Grading
Grade given by first outside examiner 15%
Grade given by second outside examiner 15%
Grade given by instructor 30%
Final paper presentation 10%
5 points for keeping each of six deadlines 30%

Grading Scale
94-100--A      74-76--C
90-93---A-     70-73--C-
87-89--B+      67-69--D+
84-86--B        64-66--D
80-83--B-      60-63--D-
77--79--C+    0-59--F

Plagiarism policy
All papers should be original and written specifically for this class. Guidelines for academic integrity and penalties for academic dishonesty are set forth in the 2004-2005 Student Handbook (pp. 171 and 174-5) and the Samford brochure "Student Guide to Academic Integrity." Students will be held rigorously accountable for meeting these standards

Inclusive Language
In accordance with Samford's statement on "Inclusive Language," which can be found on p. 181 of the Student Handbook, students are asked to respect the integrity of one another by adhering to civility in discourse and by using gender-neutral and non-racist language.

Statement on Students with Disabilities
Samford University complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Students with disabilities who seek accommodations must make their requests by contacting Disability Support Services, located in Counseling Services on the lower level of Pittman Hall, or by calling 726-4078 or 726-2105. A faculty member will grant reasonable accommodations only upon written notification from Disability Support Services.

Tentative schedule (In addition to meetings listed here; students are expected to meet regularly with instructor)
8/30 First class meeting; discussion of class objectives
8/30—9/8 Students meet individually with instructor
9/8 Proposal due
9/13 Annotated bibliography due, reflecting student's familiarity with relevant scholarship/criticism
9/15 Class discussion on matters of style, MLA conventions
9/22 Five pages of writing due
10/8 Fifteen pages of writing due
10/29 Twenty-five pages of writing due
11/10 Final 30-page draft due
11/29-12/10 Students give version of essay in oral form to teachers, classmates, guests