Syllabus
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ID1 (9 out of 10 Seniors Recommend this Freshman Seminar: Statistics in the Real World)
TuTh 11-12:15, Millikan 211
email: jo.hardin@pomona.edu
Office Hours: Mon 1:30-3pm, Wed 1-2:30pm
ID1 Intern: Mary DeBoer
email: mary.deboer@pomona.edu
Office Hours: Sun 12:30-2pm (@ Writing Center)
Tuesday 3:30-5pm (by
appt, @
The Course. The main idea behind this course is to get the participants (that’s you) to leave in December questioning every number you come across: in the media, at sporting events, when researching for another class, when carrying out your own research, etc. Certainly there are some good numbers out there, but I hope that you will start asking yourself questions like “where did that come from?”, “what if you looked at it from another angle?”, “what if we knew the rest of the information/data?” We’ll look at sources that range from journalism to scholarly writing to fiction, and we’ll see how statistics are used and misused. As in many ID1 courses, the goal is for you to become critical inquirers.
Daily. In class we’ll mostly be discussing the readings (which can be found in the course schedule.) You will each be responsible for leading the class on two different occasions: once to summarize the reading and once to lead a discussion on the readings. You are welcome to run the class in any of a variety of formats (i.e., putting students in groups to brainstorm, asking each student to respond to a question, asking provocative questions, etc.) It may be very helpful for you to talk with me before your assigned day so that we can devise a strategy and a set of topics/questions for your discussion. We will not discuss every word that you read, but you should complete all the readings (some of which will be used in the papers) and be prepared to discuss them.
Even if you are not assigned to lead a discussion, you will be expected to participate and contribute to the discussion every day. Class attendance is not optional. You comments in class will be evaluated on how well they demonstrate familiarity with the reading and how they acknowledge and promote discussion by others. If you are one of the more talkative students, try to encourage others to contribute as well.
Writing. As you know, this course has a large writing component. The majority of your grade will come from the writing you do, and the papers that you write will be graded both as a final version of the paper and then a rewrite of that final version. You will write 2 or 3 formal papers and a research paper. Additionally, you will be assigned weekly informal writings.
Everyone should have gotten a copy of Rules for Writers by Diane Hacker. This text will help answer questions you have about how to write or use grammar appropriately. Please be sure to use a spell-checker and the text before turning in writing assignments.
formal papers. The papers will follow the outline of the course (one per topic.) For each paper you will submit an abstract, then a final version, then a rewrite of the final version. I will give you comments on the final version of your paper; remember, my comments will never be comprehensive and can only be as helpful as your paper is good. For example, if your final version of the paper is difficult to read because it is full of grammatical errors, I will comment mostly on those. If the rewrite fixes all of the grammatical errors, the paper still may receive a “C” grade due to poor understanding of the paper topic (which I was unable to comment on for the first paper because of the grammatical errors.)
Papers should be in 12-point font, have one-inch margins, and be double spaced. Include your name, the date, the course, and a title on every paper. Please do not include a separate title page or use fancy binding.
The formal papers will be submitted to me electronically (via email). Because I will be receiving papers from the entire class, the file name identifying your paper should include your name, the paper number, and whether it is your final version or the rewrite.
research paper. The research paper will include library research and primary sources. More later.
informal writings. Each week you will turn in a short (one-half- to one-page) reflection on the readings we have done. These writings will not be graded on spelling or grammar (unless poor spelling/grammar make them unreadable.) The readings will act as preparation for class discussion; you may be called upon to summarize your reflection. You will turn them in at the end of class the day they are due. You should feel free to be creative and to stretch out of your comfort zone when thinking about the readings and writing your reflections. The grades for the informal writings will be given based on effort and participation.
Informal writings should also be in 12-point font with one-inch margins and double spacing.
I will give you more information on papers and submitting as the semester goes on.
* Huntley – hopefully you already know where this is
* Amazon.com – I was unable to order Blood Evidence for you. Additionally, it would have cost you a lot more had I ordered it through Huntley. Amazon.com has *many* used copies, so I recommend you get it there. Let me know if anyone doesn’t know how to use Amazon.
* e-reserve – most of your readings will be available on the library’s electronic reserve. You will need a password to access our course material (I will send you the password via email.)
* Electronic Journal – some of your readings will be available online via the library’s electronic journal database. This database is fairly straightforward to search, but you will also get an orientation to this and other databases on your library orientation day.
* Library – a few of your readings will be in journals (not electronically available) in the library stacks. You will learn more about the library at your library orientation day.
Message Board. In addition to the course webpage, we will also have a webpage to facilitate discussions about the course, readings, and other ideas that come up during the semester. You can access the discussion website at http://moodle.pomona.edu. Your formal paper abstracts (as well as some of your informal writing assignments) will be “turned in” to the message board. Please take a minute to login to moodle and let me know if you have any trouble seeing the first post (about leading discussions) that is already there.
Writing
Center. “The College
Writing program offers resources to help faculty and students create vibrant communities
of readers and writers across campus” (the College Writing program’s
website.) Located on the second floor of
Academic Honesty. You have been given a copy of the Pomona College Statement on Academic Honesty. In particular, we will discuss appropriate ways to cite sources. However, you are expected to abide by all the principles in the document. The basic idea is that you should never present other’s ideas as your own! Please contact me if you have any questions.
Grades. Your final grade will be calculated as follows.
Formal papers 60%
Informal papers 15%
Leading discussions 5%
Participation 15%