The library is revising its 1120 curriculum and is looking for sample paper topics. If you'd like to share topics you commonly get from your students or use as examples in class, you can post here or send a note to Avesa, our DUS.
Thanks!
The library is revising its 1120 curriculum and is looking for sample paper topics. If you'd like to share topics you commonly get from your students or use as examples in class, you can post here or send a note to Avesa, our DUS.
Thanks!
Thanks, Catherine, for posting this. Kim Pittman said that in this semester's survey, WRIT 1120 instructors requested better sample topics in the library sessions.
I am guessing that the problem involved either the reference librarians' use overly simplistic search terms which do not reveal an argument (e.g., "frogs" or "wolves") or topics which are unwieldy or boring for students (like "health care reform"). I liked Kim's example of use of social networking sites at Universities. What about topics in higher education that we have used in former WRIT 1120 final exams, like grade inflation, helicopter parents, and college policies around wikipedia?
I agree that "wolves" is too simplistic, but our old exam topics might not yield quite so large a number of search results, especially on library day 1, and a large number of search results seems preferable for demonstration purposes. Homelessness is one that seems to suit everybody's needs pretty well.
Some more: standardized tests, homeschooling, alternative energy, copyright reform, organic farming/agriculture (multiple search terms!), minimum wage, PTSD, reality TV?
Thanks, Mike! I appreciate your input. If you have any other ideas please post them here by this Wednesday, 11/30. I will send a list to Kim Pittman that afternoon.
A few more -- cell phones and driving; redefining marriage; medical advances and animal testing; understanding bullying; pay to play NCAA; gender equity in athletics; financing college education; liberal ed requirements; direct-to-consumer pharm. ads; electric cars; national debt; campus smoking bans.
Excellent suggestions, Susan. Thanks!