Proposed Concentration and Presentation (15% Final Grade)

BIS 300 Spring 2017

Proposed Concentration and Presentation (15% final grade)

Paper and Salmon Sheet Due: May 16th Presentations: April 25th, May 2nd, and May 16th

Your final project for BIS 300 is the creation of your proposed concentration. The proposed concentration consists of three parts:

1) A 3-5-page written component explaining your proposed concentration coursework; 2) A seven to ten-minute oral presentation of your proposed concentration to your classmates; and 3) A completed “Proposed BIS Concentration” sheet [salmon-colored sheet].

Written Component

The work you have done thus far in the entire class has prepared you for the final project of the course, your proposed BIS concentration. The 3-5-page paper is the written rationale for your concentration. It should fully explain the conceptual framework for the concentration (why you are combining the disciplines you are), the interrelatedness of the disciplines (the kind of interdisciplinary combination) you have selected (at least two), your interest in or reason for the proposed courses, and how the proposed concentration contributes to your personal and/or professional goal(s). It must also include an appropriate title. Your title should be specific and descriptive about the work you plan to do, e.g. "Historical Writing." It should NOT be a combination of the selected disciplines with conjunctions, e.g., "History and English." Make sure the title will make sense to people reading your transcripts years from now. The paper should be typed, double spaced, with one-inch margins in an 11- or 12-point standard font, such as Times New Roman.

Oral Presentation

Once your proposed concentration is prepared you will share it with your classmates in a seven to ten-minute presentation. These concentration presentations have proven to be an important part of the BIS experience. Students learn from one another’s work and often learn new information that helps them shape their own future coursework and projects for BIS 490. Discuss your short and long term goals, the rationale for your course selections, the interdisciplinary components of the proposed concentration, and how it all supports your selected title. You may also use the Venn Diagram as a tool to further explain your concentration.

To meet the broad learning needs of the students in our class, your oral presentation must be accompanied by visual aids, e.g. a PowerPoint, a concept map, an outline, etc. The goal is to present information in various formats that address the different ways that your audience takes in the information you are presenting. Be prepared to answer questions. Imagine what your audience may ask and prepare some answers ahead of time.

Please avoid simply reading from your written rationale. A good presentation means connecting to your audience through eye contact and reaching out to them. Nothing puts your audience to BIS 300 Spring 2017 sleep faster than reading from a script verbatim. Let me know in advance if you need special equipment.

Here are some helpful hints on the structure of both the paper and presentation taken from the above account:

In your paper (3-5 pages), you should:

1. begin the paper with the conceptual framework for your paper (why you are combining the disciplines you are) 2. then talk about your component disciplines and how they are interrelated (how you are combining your disciplines—the kind of combination/integration) 3. then the reasons for your interest in the kinds of courses you want to take (don’t just list courses by talk about the kind of courses you want to take with examples) 4. Conclude with how studying these kinds of courses and combining your disciplines will advance your professional (and personal) goals.

In your presentation (7-10 min), you should:

1. Begin with your professional (and personal) goals 2. Then discuss the rationale for the kinds of courses you want to take 3. Then talk about the interdisciplinary components of your concentration (the two or more disciplines that make up your concentration) 4. And conclude with how the tentative title for your concentration fits with the above (the kinds of courses you want to take, the goals you want to achieve, the disciplines you will study, etc.

Proposed BIS Concentration Sheet (Salmon Sheet)

The exact details of the BIS concentration requirements are provided on the salmon-colored concentration form. Because it is a programmatic requirement, this portion of your final project will not be graded. Although this piece is not graded, the project is not complete without it and the two graded elements will not be considered without the concentration sheet. The blank sheets can be obtained from the BIS program office. At the end of the semester, once your paper has been graded, it and the salmon sheet will be forwarded to the BIS office for their review. You can pick up your written work at the BIS office once their review is complete. However, do not give me the only copy of either item!

As you develop your list of courses for the proposed concentration sheet, keep these requirements in mind:

 Title and courses should be cohesive, creative, and logical.  You should have 25 upper division credits, 19 of which must meet GMU residence requirements.  You cannot use more than nine hours of transfer credit in your concentration.  You may not have more than six credits of 500-699 level courses, and only if you have exhausted all undergraduate possibilities.  A special topics course should include a title or topic, including BIS 489 Directed Readings/Research. BIS 300 Spring 2017

 Avoid introductory or foundation classes; do not include 100 level courses.  The concentration must reflect an interdisciplinary balance; no more than half of your courses should come from one department.  Include 1-2 alternative courses in each category, and designate these with asterisks.  You must include BIS 300, BIS 390, BIS 490, and BIS 491 in your concentration with a total range of 34-46 credits.

Reminder: The proposed concentration sheet is just that—PROPOSED, which you will take with you as a “dialogue generator” when you meet with your faculty advisor. It is important that you allow ample room for input from your faculty advisor regarding the courses you are proposing. The proposed concentration should not be presented as something for the faculty advisor to “rubber stamp.” This document usually provides the first major conversation between you and your faculty advisor that will set up a positive working relationship for the duration of your program.