German 696D: SLAT Proseminar/Colloquium (3 credits)
Fall 2000
Time: Fridays, 8:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Place: Modern Languages 201
Professor: Renate A. Schulz
Phone: 621-7388
e-mail: schulzr@u.arizona.edu
Office : Modern Languages Bldg. 590
Office Hours:Tuesdays and Thursdays 11:00 – noon and 4:00 – 5:00 p.m., and by appointment
Required Text:
Grabe, William (Ed.). 2000. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics (20): Applied Linguistics as Emerging Discipline. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Additional required readings will be available on three-hour loan in Modern Languages 571 (German Studies Department).
Course Description:
The SLAT Proseminar is required for all first-year students in the SLAT Ph.D. Program. It is closely linked to the Fall SLAT Colloquium series. The main purpose of the course is to provide students with a forum in which they can become acquainted with major theoretical and research issues in the SLAT. A second purpose is to acquaint students with SLAT faculty and their work, and to provide a setting in which students can engage in discussion and develop a sense of social and academic community.
Course Activities, Requirements, and Evaluation
1. Colloquium-related readings: The colloquium speakers will provide readings to prepare us for their presentations. Based on these readings, students will write and submit each week a short paper (approximately one page, single-spaced, no cover page), reacting to theoretical or research-related issues presented in the reading(s) or drawing connections from theory/research to practice. Papers will only be returned if they show weaknesses. (10%)
Note: The student(s) in charge of discussion for a colloquium do not need to submit a written paper.
2. Discussion of colloquium-related readings: Each student will lead a discussion of one or more of the readings. “Discussion “ is loosely conceived to mean organizing ways in which the class will engage the text. These can include pre-reading activities, small group/class discussion, simulations, presentation of background or additional material or summaries of important points, quizzes, follow-up activities, etc. Each student will sign up for approximately two sessions. The student in charge of the discussion period will also take the responsibility of hosting the colloquium speaker. This involves meeting with the professor in advance, preparing an introduction, introducing the speaker, and writing a thank-you letter. The discussion leader will be evaluated by his or her peers (see “Peer Evaluation Criteria”). (10%)
3. Discussion of chapters in Annual Review of Applied Linguistics (20): Applied Linguistics as Emerging Discipline, and other assigned readings: Each student will select one or more chapters from assigned readings to lead class discussion(s) (see remarks on “discussion under #2). Peer evaluation (10%) .
4. Research proposal and oral presentation (THINK DISSERTATION!): Inspired by the readings for this course or by other personal interest, each student will select a SLAT-related research problem and draft a proposal for an empirical study. The proposal should include the following:
a. a statement of the research problem and relevant hypotheses or research questions (if appropriate);
b. a short review of pertinent literature, with a minimum of four references from four different journals dealing with SLAT-related issues;
c. a description of the research design;
d. a short discussion of possible confounding variables and limitations of the study.
Students will work in teams of two or three to review and critique each others’ proposals. By Wednesday, Sept. 27, students should submit (by e-mail or hard copy) a copy of the proposal outline (one or two pages in length) to all class participants. The short oral presentation (5-10 minutes maximum—remember that we will all have read the outlines) will be followed by questions and discussion. Final copy of proposal will be submitted to instructor no later than a week after oral presentation. (10%)
5. Research paper and oral presentation (THINK DISSERTATION!): Students will write a research paper. The paper will require only library research and should be the equivalent of a state of the art review article on some aspect of SLAT. You may think of it as the “research review” chapter of your dissertation. Of course, your dissertation may be on a completely different topic, but this assignment gives you the opportunity to explore a possible topic in some detail.
Please make an appointment with instructor to discuss your topic before Oct. 6. A first draft of the paper should be given to your peer reviewer by November 3. Your classmate will write a critique (i.e., a peer review of 2-4 pages), due on November 10, with a copy to the instructor.
The final draft (15 – 20 pages, excluding references, tables, figures or appendices), together with an abstract is due on December 1. The paper should be typed, double-spaced, and following APA guidelines. Please use no cover page, binders or staples, but use paper clips or a folder to keep pages together.
The oral presentation of your research projects (maximum 20 minutes with 10 minutes for discussion) will be scheduled as a mini-conference during the last week of the semester. (Paper and oral presentation 50%; peer review 10%)
Summary of Assignments, Dates, and Evaluation:
1. One-page reaction to colloquium readings – weekly, unless you are in charge of a colloquium session, and reaction paper to AZLA conference (10%)
2. Leading class discussions on colloquium readings – as assigned (10%)
3. Leading class discussion on assigned readings – as assigned (10%)
4. Research proposal – in course participants’ mail boxes by Sept. 27 and to instructor no later than October 13 (10%)
5a. Before October 6 discuss topic of research paper with instructor
5b. First draft of paper to peer reviewer – November 3
5c. Critique of draft of a peer’s research paper – November 10 (10%)
5d. Research paper and oral presentation – December 1 (50%)
Attendance Policy:
Attendance in class and at colloquium sessions is required. Absences may result in a lower grade unless arrangements are made for make-up work.
Academic Honesty:
Please familiarize yourself with statement on academic integrity in the SLAT Handbook.