Eng 403/655 Old English

HIS 702: MAPH CAPSTONE II (revised 9/27/11)

Instructor: Office: Email:

Course Description:

This course serves as the Public History capstone course culminating in a publishable article, museum exhibit, co-op experience, or other suitable project with the instructor’s approval. The project proposal created in Capstone I must have the approval of both the instructor from Capstone I and the program director BEFORE the student is allowed to begin the project in this course. The final project must have a writing component associated with it for assessment purposes.

Student learning outcomes

Public History Capstone II is the culmination of the student’s experience to complete their degree in Public History at NKU. As such, the Capstone II project must demonstrate the skills of a public historian introduced throughout the program courses. Toward that end, students successfully completing this course will exhibit the following:

I. Knowledge Gained by:  Acquiring, synthesizing, and analyzing a sufficient volume of content to master the individual program of study designed by the professor. (Assessment: Secondary Literature Review, Research Findings Presentations, Project)

II. Acquisition of Intellectual and Practical Skills by:  Displaying a significant capacity for critical thinking, inquiry, and analysis as they evaluate, compare and critique the work of others on a given subject related to the student’s area of interest. (Assessment: Blackboard postings, Secondary Literature Review, Review presentation)  Exhibiting precision and clarity in reading, written and oral communication. (Assessment: Secondary Literature Review, Blackboard Postings, Oral presentations, Project)  Showing accomplished levels of research and information literacy skills used effectively and ethically. (Blackboard postings, Secondary Literature Review, Research Finding Presentation, Project)  Engaging members of the public in a meaningful manner. (Assessment: Oral presentations, project)

III. Demonstrate a Capacity for Learning by:  Creating written work that unites concepts and practices across multiple levels, disciplines, and settings as they identify the scope and format of their final project. (Assessment: Blackboard postings, Secondary Literature Review, Project, Oral Presentations)  Applying discipline based knowledge, skills, and abilities to project development taking in account audience, resources and amount of time available. (Assessment: Blackboard Postings, Project, Oral Presentations)

Assessment Statement. To demonstrate that you have learned these skills and this subject matter, you will write about your experiences and be tested on writing ability and comprehension through the successful completion of writing assignments, including a formal project, to be assessed according to specific grading rubrics for graduate courses at NKU as follows: Scores by Grade Grade Point Percentage Average

93-100 A 4.000

90-92 A- 3.667

86-89 B+ 3.333

83-85 B 3.000

80-82 B- 2.667

76-79 C+ 2.333

73-75 C 2.000

0-72 F 0.000

Required Text Hacker, Diana. A Writer’s Reference with Writing in the Disciplines

Other Materials Depending on the style guidelines that are appropriate for your final project and disciplinary interests for this course, you need the following: 1. Turabian, Kate L., and Wayne C. Booth. Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations: Chicago Style for Students and Researchers. CMS Style describes rules for the preparation of manuscripts for writers and students in history. Blackboard and Software Requirements We will be using Blackboard 9.1 for this course. I highly recommend that you go to the homepage for Blackboard and do the following tasks as soon as possible: 1. Scroll all the way to the bottom right of the screen and click on the button that reads “Test Browser.” This process will allow you to be sure that your internet browser is properly configured for Blackboard. On the new screen that opens up for this test, be sure to click on the “Alert Test” and “Popup Test” buttons; then try downloading the sample PDF, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files. 2. Once you have completed the browser test, return to the homepage for Blackboard. Click on the link called “Student Support Site” listed on the lefthand column. There you will find a number of useful resources for Blackboard, such as online tutorials, designed specifically for student needs. In particular, you should review the FAQ sections on “What are the computer requirements for using Blackboard?” and “What are the software requirements for using Blackboard?”

Please make sure that you have all the standard software listed for Blackboard installed on your computer before the end of the first day of the course. This course requires that you view and/or listen to materials created specifically for an online environment.

If you are not familiar with submitting an assignment, posting to a blog, using a wiki, or checking your grades in Blackboard, the Student Support Site link on the Blackboard homepage has tutorials on all those topics. I may be able to help you with other issues related Blackboard, but if you run into any significant trouble with it during the course, please contact the IT Help Desk at 859-572-6911. Method of Evaluation

Participation, including but not limited to  comments on blog postings  synchronous communication with 15% 150 points instructor and peers  oral presentations Blog Posts 20% 200 points

Secondary Literature Review 15% 150 points

Formal Project 50% 500 points

Failure to complete any assignment will result in an automatic "F" for your final grade

Grading Scheme. Assignments will be graded according to the grading standards set out by NKU:

Outstanding, Unique, Exceptional Achievement A 90-100% Exceeds All or Most Expectations B 80-89% Meets All or Most Expectations C 70-79% Meets Some or Few Expectations F 69% and below

Please Note: All grades posted on the Blackboard grade center for this course are “raw” grades for individual assignments. Your final WEIGHTED grade for the course will be posted on MyNKU. Course Policies Learning requires active engagement with the course material and active participation as a demonstration of that engagement. It is essential that you contribute substantively to conversations about ideas and concepts. Participation is worth a substantial portion of your grade in this course to emphasize its centrality to the learning experience. It will take 2 forms : asynchronous interaction (blog assignments, email, etc.), where everyone is *not* online at the same time; and synchronous interaction (face-to-face discussion, etc.). It is your responsibility to demonstrate your active engagement not only with the course materials but also with your classmates. Email Turnaround: You can expect that I will reply to emails within 24 hours unless something exceptional arises (i.e. I am attending a conference out of town, etc.). Generally, I will check my email at regular intervals Monday through Thursday between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm and Friday between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. I will also check my email on the weekend, but please be prepared that I may not do so quite as regularly, especially in the evenings. Missed & Late Assignments: Simply put, I will not accept late work. The dues dates for assignments cannot be missed except in extraordinary circumstances. The schedule for this course is sufficiently detailed and available that there is NO reason for any work to submitted late. Only one rescheduled assignment per student is permitted if arrangements are made prior to the due date.

However, should you find yourself in particular crisis, personal or otherwise, that compromises your academic success in this or any other course at NKU, I would urge you to make use of the Student Support Services (SSS). You can contact the SSS in the University Center, Room 120, or call 859-572- 6497 for more information. Further details may be found at the SSS website.

Courtesy. In order to maintain an environment that fosters open discussion of appropriate topics in an inviting atmosphere, discriminatory or blatantly rude language will not be permitted, nor will personal attacks on any individual. You are responsible for being respectful and courteous in your postings, class discussions, and writing, including your email messages to me and to the rest of the class.

Disabilities. Students with disabilities who require accommodations (academic adjustments, auxiliary aids or services, etc.) for this course must register with the Disability Services Office (DSO). Please contact the DSO in the University Center, Room 101, immediately, or call 859-572-6373 for more information. Verification of your disability is required by the DSO for you to receive reasonable academic accommodation. Further details can be found at the DSO website.

Plagiarism. The NKU Student Honor Code is a commitment to the highest degree of ethical integrity in academic conduct, a commitment that, individually and collectively, the students of Northern Kentucky University will not lie, cheat, or plagiarize to gain an academic advantage over fellow students or avoid academic requirements. The full text of the Honor Code may be found at the Dean of Students’ website.

All work submitted must be written exclusively for this course and is subject to the NKU Student Honor Code. The use of sources (ideas, quotations, argument structures, and paraphrases) must be properly documented. Plagiarism and other forms of cheating will not be tolerated and will result in a final grade of “F” for the course and possible dismissal from the program.

Important Final Note. By deciding to stay in this course, you are agreeing to all parts of this syllabus. In fairness to everyone, the syllabus must apply equally to all students without exception. This course syllabus is in accordance with the NKU Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities.

Assignment Details:

Secondary Literature Review: Based upon the approved annotated bibliography produced in Capstone I, students will revise/refine the secondary literature and submit as part of the final project.

Oral Research/ Project Presentations: Students will regularly present to their fellow classmates oral reviews of their research/project findings and receive comment and suggestions from fellow students.

Blackboard Blog Postings: Students will post weekly progress reports on the Blackboard Blog. These postings may include project related questions, pitfalls and challenges. Students are expected to comment on at least 2 peer postings each week.

Final Project: The final Capstone II project paper will include:  secondary literature review that provides context for the project (see above)  project’s scope  methodology  final format  reflections on the completed project that may include suggestions for the future Course Calendar TBD

This class will meet as a group approximately five times during the semester.

CAVEAT: All of the above is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor