GOV 471: Senior Seminar

Home

COURSE REQUIREMENTS
(Total points = 100)

Final Paper 25 points
Rough Draft 10 points
Peer Review comments 5 points
Literature Review 10 points
Outline, Bibliography and Citation Format 5 points
Thesis 5 points
Reading Assignments (8 at 5 points each) 40 points

Final Paper (25 points)
Each student will conduct in-depth research and compose a scholarly paper on a specific subject chosen from the broad theme of revolution. Papers must contain 20-25 pages of text, appropriate appendices and references (not included in the text page length requirement). Please see writing standards toward the end of the syllabus.

Rough Draft (10 points)
Each student will submit 5 copies of a rough draft of her/his final paper for peer review. This draft should be near complete, meaning that it should approximate the page number requirements of the final draft, be proofread and otherwise close to its final form.

Peer Review Comments (5 points)
Each student will submit comments on and suggestions for each of his/her peers’ rough drafts.

Literature Review (10 points)
Each student will submit a 5 page critical review of the major research sources for his/her final paper. This review will become a section of the final paper.

Outline, Bibliography and Citation Format (5 points)
Each student will submit an outline and comprehensive bibliography of at least 15 sources for her/his final paper. Based on his/her emphasis (history or political science) each student will also submit her/his chosen citation format in the form of a photocopied journal or book reference page.

Thesis (5 points)
Each student will submit a thesis statement indicating the direction of his/her research for the final paper.

Reading Assignments (8 at 5 points each)
Each student will submit eight assignments that demonstrate that he/she has completed and critically analyzed the readings. These will also serve as points of discussion in class. All assignments must be typed unless otherwise indicated. Assignments will be graded based on the depth of analysis.

1. Prepare two critical points about each chapter in Section one of Goldstone and the Greene piece “In Search of a Theory…” (handout).

2. Prepare to diagram the revolutionary processes covered in each chapter of Part two, Section 4 of Goldstone. Assignment conducted in class. No need to type.

3. Prepare two critical points about each chapter in Part two, Section 5 of Goldstone.

4. Prepare two critical points about each chapter in Part two, Section 6 of Goldstone and conclusion.

5. Prepare a thesis and related supporting evidence based on the archival research conducted in class.

6. Prepare two critical points about the following articles: “Ho Chi Minh’s Rhetoric for Revolution” and “Maternal Identity and War.”

7. Prepare two critical points about the following articles: “Reporting Romania” and
“Imaging the French Revolution.”

8. Prepare two critical points about the following articles: “Economic Freedom and
Conflict” and “Nongovernmental Terrorism in Latin America.”

9. Plan your own revolution. Assignment conducted in class, no need to type.
(Those paying attention will have noticed that there are, in fact, 9 assignments. The highest 8 assignments will count toward the final grade.)

Schedule

1/10 Introduction to the course.

1/17 Introduction and part one of Goldstone and Greene piece “In Search of a
Theory….” (handout).

1/24 Part two, section 4 of Goldstone.

1/31 Part two, section 5 of Goldstone.

2/7 Part two, section 6 and conclusion of Goldstone.
(Outline, Bibliography and citation format due).

2/14 Archival research. (meet in computer Lab).

2/21 “Ho Chi Mihn’s Rhetoric”, “Maternal Identity and War.”
(Lit Review Due).

2/28 Reporting Romania, Imaging the French Revolution.

3/7 Economic Freedom and Conflict, Nongovernmental terrorism
In Latin America. ( Rough draft due, copies for everyone).

3/14 Spring Break.

3/21 Senior Exit Exams.

3/28 Present, Peer Review.

4/4 Present, Peer Review.

4/11 Class cancelled.

4/18 Final papers due. (Plan revolution in class).

4/25 Present revolutionary plans.

5/2 –5/5 Finals

Writing Standards

Please see the HGP Writing Assessment Rubric at: http://faculty.adams.edu/~ercrowth/hgprubric.htm

All papers must be typed in a 12-point font and double-spaced with one-inch margins.

Do not let the computer’s spellcheck do your proofreading for you. Points will be deducted for sloppy writing.

Non-scholarly sources, with the exception of newspaper articles, will not be accepted. Never use the dictionary or encyclopedia (including Wikipedia) as a source.

Plagiarism is a serious offense. According to the College Handbook: “All students are expected to practice academic honesty. They should refrain from any form of cheating, plagiarism, or knowingly furnishing false information to the College” (42). Therefore:

• Any phrases, paraphrases, terms, concepts, facts and/or figures applied from other sources must be cited correctly. All phrases or sentences that are not in your own words must be in quotation marks. Note that no more than 15% of your papers should be quotes.
• Sources must be cited within the text and included in a reference page at the end of your work.
• Plagiarism will result in a failing grade for the assignment in question or for the class based on the seriousness of the infraction.

All papers must be submitted to turnitin.com. The reference number for this course is: 1424930, and the enrollment password is centeno.

Additional Information:

Tardiness: DON’T BE LATE!! If some unavoidable situation (alien abduction, etc.) forces you to be late please do not disturb the rest of the class as you enter.

Late Assignments: I will not accept late assignments without written excuses regarding medical or family emergencies.

Disrespect: Constructive discussion in an academic setting requires respectful conduct. Please turn off cell phones and beepers while in class (see me for exceptions). Please do not engage in private conversations, read the newspaper, or study for another class while I or another student has the floor.

Students are advised to keep copies of all their graded work in the event of calculation errors. Grades cannot be changed without proof of error.

Home