Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2020 - ENGL 494 D100

Honors Research and Methods Seminar (4)

Class Number: 4805

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 9 – Dec 8, 2020: Mon, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    Permission of the department, plus normally a minimum of 90 units, including credit or standing in two 100 division English courses, two 200 division English courses, and four 300 or 400 division English courses, one of which must be ENGL 364.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Introduces students enrolled in the English honours program to the basic methodological issues and procedures that define the field, and provides them with the opportunity to work with a faculty supervisor in researching a specific topic for their honours graduating essay.

COURSE DETAILS:

The Honours Research and Methods Seminar consists of two parts, both of which are designed to prepare you to complete the honours graduating essay (ENGL 496) in a future term. Part 1 (worth 40% of your final grade) consists of a weekly pro-seminar led (over Zoom, of course) by the English Department Undergraduate Chair. This weekly seminar introduces practical and theoretical strategies for undertaking an advanced program of literary research and writing and does so in an exacting but supportive environment. Part 2 (60%) consists of regular meetings (again, these will be held online due to the covid-19 pandemic) with your faculty supervisor to discuss your research and writing.

Grading

NOTES:

A NOTE ON GRADING: Rather than assigning individual grades for your work, I will discuss with you in class my sense of its strengths and needs. If you miss more than one meeting it may affect my portion of your final grade. This class does not work if we can’t rely on your presence every single week we’re scheduled to meet. (Your individual honours supervisor will discuss with you their own grading practice for 494.)

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

The only formal text for this course is Eric Hayot, The Elements of Academic Style (Columbia UP, 2014). I will not be ordering it from the SFU bookstore; you are, thus, responsible for obtaining a copy by the time the seminar begins. The book is widely available through online retailers, can be ordered from local bookstores, and is available directly from the publisher at http://cup.columbia.edu/book/the-elements-of-academic-style/9780231168014. You are free to use either a paper or an electronic copy.

REQUIRED READING:

Eric Hayot. The Elements of Academic Style (Columbia UP, 2014)
ISBN: 9780231168014

Department Undergraduate Notes:

IMPORTANT NOTE Re 300 and 400 level courses: 75% of spaces in 300 level English courses, and 100% of spaces in 400 level English courses, are reserved for declared English Major, Minor, Extended Minor, Joint Major, and Honours students only, until open enrollment begins.

For all On-Campus Courses, please note the following:
- To receive credit for the course, students must complete all requirements.
- Tutorials/Seminars WILL be held the first week of classes.
- When choosing your schedule, remember to check "Show lab/tutorial sections" to see all Lecture/Seminar/Tutorial times required.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN FALL 2020

Teaching at SFU in fall 2020 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).