Research Methods syllabus
Summer 2005 (arranged hours)

	Elizabeth K. Menon
	Office: VPA 3119
	Office Phone: 496-2958
	Office Hours: by appointment

primary course materials:

• There is no one single text for this course
• Handouts will be given at course meetings

objectives & disclaimers:

This course aims to prepare graduate students for research towards their M.F.A. thesis. Students will be introduced to several different types of research design (including descriptive, historical and experimental) and learn procedural and philosophical consequences of these methods. Students will identify, formulate, limit and express a research problem and create a research strategy. Literature reviews in the student's area of focus will be conducted using print, on-line and internet resources. Students will practice using APA, MLA and Chicago styles for footnotes and bibliographies, and identify the style most frequently used in their studio discipline through analysis of the key journal publications in their area. Students will conduct analysis of several different styles of M.F.A. theses (including "process" and "research" types) and will participate in peer review of their fellow students' writing. Students will become familiar with Purdue University Graduate School's guidelines for thesis formatting.

I will try to make this course as interesting as possible, but let's face it, some aspects of research and writing are just NOT FUN! Some assignments (especially practicing the notation styles) will likely seem like "busywork" and conducting research without passion for your subject can be a total drag... so the biggest hurdle is finding enthusiasm for a TOPIC that will make the research and writing ahem... fun?

course requirements:

• Assignments/Projects
• Participation/Preparation

grading scale (straight percentage of total possible points):

• A 90%
• B 80%
• C 70%
• D 60%

class schedule : ***schedule***