WRD 227: Writing Research with Identity

Arnold Mitchem Fellows Program (AMF Program)


Center for Access and Attainment
Fall Quarter 2020
Friday 2:00pm -4:00pm Virtually
Instructor:
▪ Courtney A. Griffin, M.S.Ed. ([email protected])
▪ Office Hours: Thursday and Friday, 12-1:30 & directly after class

AMF Director:
▪ Terry Vaughan III, Ph.D. ([email protected])
▪ Office Hours: by appointment

Class Description:
The course, specifically designed for students in DePaul’s Arnold Mitchem Fellows Program
requires students to write essays that align with their research identity. In a seminar setting,
students will consider how they see the world and how their lived experiences define or relate
to their chosen research field.
Learning Outcomes:
Students who complete this class successfully will be able to:
● Describe the connection between identity and research
● Articulate research problems and interests
● Analyze one’s own experience and apply it to their chosen research field
Major Assignments
A maximum of 100 points can be earned throughout this class
● Journals, Online Discussions & Instagram Chats (D2L) ~ 10 points/ 10 percent of course
grade
o Online Discussion will be due at 11:59pm on the days stated. For each discussion
post, answer the assigned question thoughtfully and RESPOND to a fellow with a
meaningful response.
● In Class Participation ~ 15 points/ 10 percent of course grade
o Each week there will be in-class activities and discussions to help guide the
writing process of Writing a Literature Review. Attendance is mandatory, one
excused absence will be allowed. If you are unable to attend please email me.
● Life Map ~ 10 points/ 10 percent of course grade
o Due Week 3
● Personal Statement ~ 10 points/10 percent of course
o Week 5
● Outline ~ 10 points/ 10 percent of course grade

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 o Due Week 7
● Faculty Interview ~ 5 points/ 5 percent of course grade
o Week 8
● Final Paper / Draft /Peer Review ~ 50 points/ 50 percent of course grade
o Week 9 - Peer Review/Draft 1 (with your small group)
o Week 10 - Peer Review/Draft 2 (with all AMF students)
o Finals Week - Final Paper 8 - 10 pages

Course Evaluations
Assignment Possible Points Possible
Journals, Online Discussions & Instagram Chats 10
Participation, In-Class Activities and Attendance 15
Life Map 10
Personal Statement 10
Outline 10
Faculty Interview 5
Final Essay 50
• Draft 1 - 5
• Draft 2 - 5
• Peer Review 1 –5
• Peer Review 2 – 5
• Final Paper – 25
Total 110

Class Participation and Attendance

Your participation in the class depends on your motivation and interest to pursue graduate
school and a research career. Attendance is mandatory. There will be impromptu Instagram
Chats throughout the term, be prepared You are allowed one excused absence, without
penalty. Every absent after will result in a loss of participation points. Participation in the class
includes attending one-on-one meetings, class, and program events throughout the academic
year in addition to participating in online discussions. Participation also includes speaking with
instructors and your peers in the spirit of what it means to be a Mitchem Fellow. Lastly, if you
are unable to attend a one-one meeting, class, an event or complete an assignment on time,
contact the instructor Dr. Vaughan as soon as possible.

Late Work Policy

It is extremely important to submit your assignments on time. For every twenty-four hours an
assignment is late, one point will be docked from the final grade of the course. This can have
a substantial effect on a grade, you are encouraged to turn your assignments in on time.

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Academic Integrity Policy
DePaul University is a learning community that fosters the pursuit of knowledge and the
transmission of ideas within a context that emphasizes a sense of responsibility for oneself, for
others and for society at large. Violations of academic integrity, in any of their forms, are,
therefore, detrimental to the values of DePaul, to the students' own development as
responsible members of society, and to the pursuit of knowledge and the transmission of ideas.
Violations include but are not limited to the following categories: cheating; plagiarism;
fabrication; falsification or sabotage of research data; destruction or misuse of the university's
academic resources; alteration or falsification of academic records; and academic misconduct.
Conduct that is punishable under the Academic Integrity Policy could result in additional
disciplinary actions by other university officials and possible civil or criminal prosecution. For
more information, visit the relevant academic integrity policy in the DePaul Undergraduate
handbook.

Outside Resources:

The University Center for Writing Based Learning: The Writing Center provides free tutoring to
any student on campus. You may make an appointment online
at http://depaul.mywconline.com/. There are also drop-in services, online appointments, and a
written feedback service, in which tutors provide comments via email. I encourage you to visit
the writing center as it is a free service and receiving feedback is a significant part of the writing
process.

Dean of Students Office: The Dean of Students Office (DOS) helps students in navigating the
university, particularly during difficult situations, such as personal, financial, medical, and/or
family crises. Absence Notifications to faculty, Late Withdrawals, and Community Resource
Referrals support students both in and outside of the classroom. Additionally, they have the
resources and programs to support health and wellness, violence prevention, substance abuse
and drug prevention, and LGBTQ student services. Contact them
at http://studentaffairs.depaul.edu/dos.

Special Circumstances: If you have any special circumstances (if you are a student athlete for
example, or are registered with the Center for Students with Disabilities), please inform me of
your status by the end of the first week of class. Accommodations will be made in coordination
with the relevant campus offices. For more information about DePaul's students resources for
students with disabilities, please reference the CSD Website

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Throughout your time at DePaul, you will have the opportunity to develop many transferable
skills—skills that will move with you from school, to the workplace, to those contexts (in-person
and online) where you will act as an engaged, informed citizen and ethical consumer. You can
expect the skills you acquire in DePaul classes to pay dividends as subsequent classes; further,
the skills you learn as a DePaul student are highly valued by employers and will set you apart in
a continually changing job market.

Course: WRD: 227 Writing Research with Identity

Universal Skills:
As a result of your university experience, you will regularly have the opportunity to develop the
following skills regardless of your chosen major:

Plan/ Work ethic/

UNIVERSAL Flexibility/ Self-Awareness
organize/ Resourcefulness discipline/
SKILLS Adaptability & Reflection
prioritize motivation

Additional Skills:
As a result of taking this course, you will have the opportunity to develop your skills in each of
the highlighted areas below:

Analytical
Ethical Problem
ANALYTICAL Thinking/ Decision- Navigate
reasoning and solving/critical
SKILLS Quantitative making ambiguity
judgment thinking
Assessment
Creativity
Influence/ Interpersonal
and Listening skills
CREATIVITY & persuade skills
innovation
COMMUNICATION
SKILLS Multicultural Verbal Written
Professionalism
Competence Communication Communication

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 LEADERSHIP &
TEAMWORK Collaboration Initiative Leadership Teamwork
SKILLS
TECHNICAL & Information
INFORMATION Research Technology
SKILLS Application

Why are these important?

As you prepare for life after DePaul, employers and graduate programs will be seeking specific
skills that set you apart from others. By highlighting the skills above, we hope to enhance your
awareness of the transferable skills you’re building while pursuing your academic coursework.

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 Schedule of Topics and Assignments

Week Topics/Assigned Readings/Homework Assignments Due

Week 1 Topic: Welcome to the AMF Program/ Course Overview Due at the Beginning of Class
September
11th In-Class Assignments 1. Schedule one-on-one
1. Introductions meetings
2. Former AMF student Visit
3. Writing Assignment: Why are you here? Who/what do
you identity?
4. Weekly Group Activity:
○ Form groups
○ Exchange Instagram handles
Homework
1. Schedule one-on-one.
2. Read Student Success Secrets Chapter 1.
3. Acting with Intention: Based on the title of next week,
what are you looking to take away? What would be
most beneficial to you? Respond in more than 100
words.

Week 2 Topic: Discovering Identity Due at the Beginning of Class

September
18th In-Class Assignments 1. Acting with Intention
1. Goals for the year & key program takeaways 2. One-On-One Meetings
2. Introduce Life Map Assignment

Homework
1. Begin Life Map Assignment
2. Acting with Intention: Based on the title of next week,
what are you looking to take away? What would be
most beneficial to you? Respond in more than 100
words.

Week 3 Topic: Identifying a Story Due at the Beginning of Class

September In-Class Assignments 1. Acting with Intention

25th 1. Discuss & Share Life Maps 2. Life Map Assignment
2. Introduce Personal Statement Assignment

Homework
3. Begin Personal Statement

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 4. Acting with Intention: Based on the title of next week,
what are you looking to take away? What would be
most beneficial to you? Respond in more than 100
words.
Week 4 Due at the Beginning of Class
Topic: My Story
October 1. Acting with Intention
2nd In-Class Assignments
● Ted Talk: Sarah Jones –– One Woman, Eight Hilarious
Characters & Tell me about Your identity crisis | Cedrice
Webber (Videos & Discussion)
Homework:
1. Finish Personal Statement
2. Read The Craft of Research: Prologue and Part I

Week 5
Topic: Self-Identity: What does research mean to you? How Due at the Beginning of Class
October does Identity and research intertwine?
9th 1. Acting with Intention
In-Class Assignments 2. Personal Statement
1. Introduce Final Essay
2. Weekly Group Activity: Define research topic
Homework
1. Questions for Our Visiting Grad Student
○ Add to the discussion board this week any
questions that you have about graduate school.
■ Your questions can be in regard to
research, managing life, financing a
graduate or anything that you have
questions about.
○ Be sure to be original with your questions. Do
not add a question that has already been asked.
Question should be added to the discussion
board by Wednesday at 11:59pm CT.
2. Acting with Intention: Based on the title of next week,
what are you looking to take away? What would be
most beneficial to you? Respond in more than 100
words.

3. Readings on Outline
○ Purdue OWL Outline Resources
○ Writing a paper: Outlining

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Week 6 Topic: Preparing for the Future: What do I need to know? Due at the Beginning of Class
Graduate Student Q&A
October
16th In-Class Assignments 1. Acting with Intention
1. Graduate Student Presentation & QA 2. Schedule one-on-one
2. Weekly Group Activity: Outline meetings
3. Introduce Faculty Interview
4. Goals Check-In

Homework
1. Finish Outline
2. In the discussion board this week, choose a question
from your faculty interviews that you would like to
learn about from our guest speaker. Do not add a
question that has already been asked.
○ Questions should be added to the discussion
board by Wednesday at 11:59 PM CT.
3. Acting with Intention: Based on the title of next week,
what are you looking to take away? What would be
most beneficial to you? Respond in more than 100
words.
Week 7 Topic: Looking even Further Ahead: Faculty Guest speaker Due at the Beginning of Class

October In-Class Assignments

23rd 1. Faculty Member Presentation & QA 1. Acting with Intention
2. Final Paper Questions 2. One-On-One Meetings
3. Start on your 1st Rough Draft 3. Acting with Intention
Homework 4. Outline
1. Finalize your Faculty Interview
2. Continue working on your Rough Draft
Week 8 Topic: Writing a Rough-Draft
In-Class Assignment Due at the Beginning of Class
October 1. Faculty Interview Takeaways
30th 2. Working session: Rough Draft 1. Faculty Interview
Homework
1. Finish your 1st Rough Draft

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 Week 9 Due at the Beginning of Class
Topic: Internal Peer Review
November In-Class Assignment & Weekly Group Activity 1. Draft One (3-4 pages)
6th 1. Group Peer Review of Rough Draft
Homework:
1. Begin your 2nd Rough Draft

Due at the Beginning of Class

Week 10 Topic: External Peer Review
November In-Class Assignments: 1. Draft Two (5-6 pages)
13th
1. Combined Class Peer Review
Homework:
1. Finish your Final Paper

Week 11 Due at the Beginning of Class

November 4. Reflections: Goals Check-In
20th 1. Final Paper (8- 10 pages)
* (Schedule a meeting with Dr. Vaughan if interested in
summer research opportunity programs)