Capstone Research Project

Bachelor Degree in American Studies

AMR 490

Breyer State University

Instructor: Tanya Mueller, MA

SYLLABUS

COURSE OVERVIEW: This course will allow you the opportunity to perform your own original research project.  You will use both primary and secondary sources to produce an original research paper. Course includes an overview in what the discipline of American Studies is offering to the academic world, methods of research and the direction research is headed

TIME FRAME: This is a thirty (30) semester hour course. You must complete all of the requirements for the course successfully by the end of the 10-week period. The first day of week one will begin the day that you register for the course, or the day that your text books arrive and you are thus ready to begin the course.

You are required to complete the assignments by the due dates indicated in the syllabus. I consider the syllabus a contract between instructor and student, and any changes to the due dates (granted under extenuating circumstances) must be agreed upon by both. Upon successful completion of this course, you will be awarded thirty (30) semester hours of credit.

TEXTBOOK: There are no specific assigned textbooks for this course. You are expected to obtain information from primary sources about a subject of your interest. Primary sources include items such as newspapers and print media, speeches, letters, films, literature or other evidence that documents American life and culture. You may find supporting documents or secondary sources to use in your projects as well. Academic peer reviewed journals are recommended but the major source of evidence should come from primary source documents. You are on your own to find information that will be relevant to your own study.

GRADING: The grading scale for this course is as follows:

90-100%    = A
80-89%      = B
70-79%      = C
Below 70% = Fail

The grading criteria for the written assignments are as follows:

CONTENT and LEVEL: 60%

1). Content is pertinent, and reflects points requested from the readings as well as original thought.
2). Student position or view is stated clearly, with appropriate justifications and logic.
3). Comprehensiveness of discussion is adequate.
4). The paper adequately addresses the assignment in scope and content.

ORGANIZATION: Weight 20%

1). The paper demonstrates logical flow from idea to idea, point to point.
2). The paper includes relevant supporting ideas from the assigned readings or research as appropriate.

FORMAT/GRAMMAR: Weight 10%

1). Spelling and sentence structure are without error.
2). Punctuation and word choice are without error.
3). Paper contains a title, subheadings and paragraphs as appropriate.

READABILITY/STYLE: Weight 10%

1). The paper reflects a synthesis of ideas from the readings and from experience as requested.
2). The tone is appropriate to the content and assignment.
3). Style of the paper is appropriate academic level.

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR: Tanya Mueller holds a Bachelor's degree in American Studies with a concentration in gender from ASA accredited California State University, Fullerton She also holds a Master's degree also from CSU, Fullerton, in Political Science with an emphasis in gender politics. She is currently working on a doctorate in clinical psychology at Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, CA.

Tanya is a 3rd generation Los Angeles, CA native and her love for culture and learning has led her to travel all over the country. Because of her location in the greater Los Angeles area she frequently travels throughout Southern California and Baja California, Mexico.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

1). Research an aspect of American Studies using original sources.
2). Evaluate where the academic field of American Studies is headed as a discipline.
3). Demonstrate an understanding of the intellectual debates that surround the academic study of American Studies.
4). Construct original research into a selected aspect of American Studies.

INFORMATION: If you have any questions regarding this program, you may contact your instructor at politikchik@adelphia.net

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