INTL 408: THESIS COMPANION WORKSHOP

COURSE SYLLABUS – SPRING 2015 – CRN: 57850
INTL 408: THESIS COMPANION
WORKSHOP
100 Gilkey Hall – Fridays 8:30am-9:50am – April 3, 10, 17, 24; May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
I.
INSTRUCTOR
Nick Fleury, M.P.A., M.C.R.P.
Head Advisor – International Degree
Suite 130J, 1600 SW Western Blvd
Corvallis, OR 97333-4188
Tel: (541) 737-3729
Fax: (541) 737-6226
nick.fleury@oregonstate.edu
Office Hours: Wednesdays, 3:00pm-4:20pm; and by appointment
II. COURSE OBJECTIVES
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Develop skills in providing and receiving constructive feedback with regards to academic writing.
Gain insight into your major field from outside academic disciplines.
Incorporate feedback and suggestion into existing thesis for improved study.
Develop a poster and presentation midway through course to enhance final product.
Refine existing thesis timeline to effectively complete thesis degree requirements.
Create a professional development network with other pending International Degree graduates.
III. COURSE SCHEDULE AND REQUIREMENTS
PREP for CLASS 1:
 Apr 1: Send a copy of your current draft of thesis outline. Compile a document of at least ten
quotes from at least five journal articles you plan to use in your thesis.
 Apr 2: Look at other student’s current outlines; use examples to make 2-3 changes/additions to
your draft outline
Class 1 – April 3 – PEER REVIEW and USING FEEDBACK
Introductions: Existing thesis topic and work completed to date
Stretching your outline into a literature review
Compiling your thesis log
*ACTIVITY – Peer reviewer meeting and providing feedback
*ACTIVITY – Select “hot seat” date
PREP for CLASS 2:
 Apr 8: Send a copy of your draft literature review.
 Apr 9: Review another student’s literature review, being ready to provide comments and
feedback for Class 2.
Class 2 – April 10 – PEER REVIEW, STRUCTURING YOUR THESIS AROUND YOUR QUESTION
*ACTIVITY – Peer reviewer meeting and providing feedback
*ACTIVITY - Diagramming your research question
PREP for CLASS 3:
 Apr 15: Send a copy of your revised literature review and draft version of your methods section of
your thesis.
 Apr 16: Review another student’s literature review and methods, being ready to provide
comments and feedback for Class 3.
Class 3 – April 17 – PEER REVIEW, THE “HOW” OF YOUR THESIS, EFFECTIVE THESIS MENTOR MEETINGS
*ACTIVITY – Peer reviewer meeting and providing feedback
*ACTIVITY – The “how” of your thesis
Making a thesis poster (handout)
*DISCUSSION - Strategies for having an effective meeting with thesis mentor
PREP for CLASS 4:
 Apr 22: Send a copy of your revised literature review and methods and a draft version of your
results section of your thesis. Hot Seats #1 should have nearly a full draft complete.
 Apr 23: Review another student’s literature review, methods and results, being ready to provide
comments and feedback for Class 4.
Class 4 – April 24 – PEER REVIEW, BEING CONCISE, MAKING YOUR POSTER
*ACTIVITY – Peer reviewer meeting and providing feedback
*ACTIVITY – Hot Seats #1
*Wordiness and being concise
*DISCUSSION - Preparation for Week 5 poster session presentations
PREP for CLASS 5:
 Apr 29: Send a copy of your thesis poster based upon your thesis draft and be prepared to
present for 5-7 minutes.
Class 5 – May 1 – POSTER PRESENTATIONS
*ACTIVITY – Public Poster Presentations and Q&A Session
Incorporating feedback from questions and comments at presentation
INDIVIDUAL MEETING – May 4 or May 5:
 Schedule meeting with Nick to go over current thesis progress, develop strategies for thesis
completion and incorporating feedback from presentation.
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PREP for CLASS 6:
 May 6: Send a copy of your revised thesis draft. Hot Seats #2 should have nearly a full draft
complete.
 May 7: Review another student’s thesis draft, being ready to provide comments and feedback for
Class 6. Prepare questions for Hot Seats #2’s drafts.
Class 6 – May 8 – PEER REVIEW, STRUCTURING YOUR FINAL PRESENTATION
*ACTIVITY – Peer reviewer meeting and providing feedback
*ACTIVITY – Hot Seats #2
Check in – current thesis draft status and thesis log
Presentation format
*DISCUSSION - Tips for an effective presentation
PREP for CLASS 7:
 May 13: Send a copy of your revised thesis draft. Hot Seats #3 should submit a completed full
draft for review.
 May 14: Prepare questions for Hot Seats #3’s drafts.
Class 7 – May 15 – PEER REVIEW, BREAKING FROM THESIS WRITING
*ACTIVITY – Hot Seats #3
Incorporating feedback from questions and comments at presentation
*DISCUSSION - Breaking from thesis writing
PREP for CLASS 8:
 May 18: Schedule your thesis presentation date (May 27-29, June 1-5)
 May 20: Revisit your thesis draft and send a copy of the final draft and finalized abstract text.
Hot Seats #4 should submit a revised final draft for review.
 May 21: Review another student’s complete thesis draft, being ready to provide comments and
feedback for Class 8. Prepare questions for Hot Seat #4’s draft.
Class 8 – May 22 –FINALIZING YOUR PRESENTATION AND THESIS DRAFT
*ACTIVITY – Peer reviewer meeting and providing feedback
*ACTIVITY – Hot Seats # 4
Formatting your thesis and logistics for the International Degree
Slides for your presentation
PREP for CLASS 9:
 May 27: Send finalized presentation slides. Submit your thesis log.
Class 9 – May 29 – COLLECTING SIGNATURES AND POST-PRESENTATION CONSIDERATIONS
*ACTIVITY – Mock presentations
Working with varying mentor edits and suggestions
Printing and binding your thesis
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IV. GRADING SYSTEM
The course is graded strictly on a pass/no pass basis (P/N). In order to earn a satisfactory grade, you
must meet at least 70% of the required class preparation and participation activities.
Late assignment policy: We strongly discourage submitting draft of your thesis late. Late assignments
will receive ½ credit, regardless of the submission date.
V. RESOURCES
-Statement Regarding Students with Disabilities
"Accommodations are collaborative efforts between students, faculty and Services for Students with
Disabilities (SSD). Students with accommodations approved through SSD are responsible for
contacting the faculty member in charge of the course prior to or during the first week of the term to
discuss accommodations. Students who believe they are eligible for accommodations but who have
not yet obtained approval through SSD should contact SSD immediately at 541-737-4098."
-Statement Regarding Student Absences
Attendance is required at all class meetings. Maximum effort should be made to attend this course in
its entirety. Students are responsible for reporting absences to instructors as soon as possible. Email
Nick at nick.fleury@oregonstate.edu as soon as you know if you will be unable to attend. You will not
be penalized when an absence is due to significant illness or other serious, unforeseeable
circumstances. Reasonable compensatory experiences will be agreed upon to ensure academic
progress.
-Link to Statement of Expectations for Student Conduct, i.e., cheating policies
http://oregonstate.edu/admin/stucon/achon.htm
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