Proseminar: American Alternative Culture 4219-ZP053
During the course students will learn about the basic requirements and rules of writing a BA thesis. We will discuss the methodology of conducting research, proper use of sources, how to organize the research process and eliminate potential errors (plagiarism). The aim of the course is also to familiarize students with the methodology of cultural anthropology and critical cultural studies, to establish the topic and scope of their diploma thesis, and to support students in conducting independent research on a chosen subject.
The planned thesis project – to be continued in the BA seminar in the following semester – will critically examine selected a cultural text or cultural phenomena representing American alternative or unpopular culture.
Any proposed use of generative AI tools must be discussed with the instructor in advance. Students should be prepared to specify which tools will be used, the intended extent of their application, and how the AI’s contribution will be documented or cited.
Course coordinators
Type of course
obligatory courses
Learning outcomes
Knowledge:
*Students know the language, formal requirements and editing guidelines for writing a BA thesis
*Students know differences between academic and non academic texts, sources, language.
*Students understand the issue of academic honesty and have respect for others’ intellectual property.
Skills:
*Students are able to organize a basic research process leading to write a BA thesis.
*Students have skills necessary to find and evaluate primary and secondary sources.
*Students have the ability to organize research results in a coherent way to construct an effective argument.
*Students can document sources in an academic way (in Chicago Style) and avoid any traps of plagiarism.
*Can apply cultural anthropology and critical cultural studies tools and theories to analyze texts of culture
Competences:
*With the instructor’s help, students can organize a research process.
*Students can listen and respond to opinions of others in a respectful way.
*Students are prepared to work with their supervisors on their BA projects.
Assessment criteria
1) Attendance and active participation in classes: 20 points
2) BA paper project (outline, thesis statement, bibliography): 30 points
3) In-class presentation of project: 10 points
4) Sample chapter fragment: 40 points
In order to pass the course, the student must receive a minimal score of 60 points.
Grading:
90-100: 5
85-89: 4+
78-84: 4
68-77: 3+
60-67: 3
Bibliography
Critical literature will be selected according to the research interests of students.
Selected literature and online resources:
*Booth, Wayne C., Gregory G. Colomb and Joseph M. Willaims. The Craft of Research. The University of Chicago Press 2008.
*Joseph, Williams. Style: Ten Lessons in Clarity & Grace. HarperCollins College Publishers 1994.
*Purdue Online Writing Lab: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/purdue_owl.html
*University of British Columbia, Academic Success Centre: https://www.unbc.ca/academic-success-centre/online-writing-resources