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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AH 460"
COURSE NAME: "Research Practicum"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2025
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Sarah Linford
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 4:30 PM 5:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: Junior Standing
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This upper level seminar/practicum provides rigorous, practical preparation for the writing of professional art-historical research papers, including the Senior Thesis, through four discrete units: an individual portfolio review; a research tools and methods seminar; intensive, directed bibliographic research; and the formulation of a presentation to the class on the thesis topic, together with a new 'foundation' portfolio demonstrating mastery of the research skills, competencies, and bibliography necessary for advanced art-historical research writing. The course is intended for JCU Degree Seeking students, but advanced visiting students studying Art History are welcome.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

How do we identify a research topic? What is a fruitful, and manageable, research question for a Senior Thesis in Art History? How do the skill-sets and knowledge acquired through coursework contribute to the Senior Thesis? Why are outlines, bibliographies and abstracts your allies? This course offers practical instruction on these and other critical tasks essential to making the Senior Thesis in Art History be students’ crowning undergraduate achievement.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students will learn to

  • identify a research topic, including core object
  • formulate a research question
  • conduct research, using both primary and secondary sources
  • write an annotated bibliography and literature review
  • approach potential thesis readers
  • identify first and second readers and submit necessary forms to Chair and Registrar
  • understanding schedule and work-flow to completion
  • locate work within historiographical and theoretical fields
  • use research and outlining to develop a strong argument that evolves with their findings
  • effectively present research findings, thesis structure and overarching argument
  • be cooperative learners and peers
  • be ready to start writing and learn how to effectively revise written work
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Assignment 1submit research topic (c. 100 words), specific research question (c. 30-50 words), core object (or strict corpus) with full caption as a single Word document via Turnitin portal on Moodle course site. Due by the end of Week 3. 15
Assignment 2submit a preliminary detailed outline and abstract (abstract should be c. 100 words) of your thesis. Outline must include chapter titles, main points or issues for each section and subsection, by chapter. Due via dedicated Turnitin portal by the end of Week 5.15
Assignment 3submit draft of email to potential first and second readers that includes: names of potential first and second readers, revised research topic, revised research question and revised preliminary outline. Due via dedicated Turnitin portal by the end of Week 6. 15
Assignment 4submit an annotated bibliography of at least 10 primary and at least 20 secondary sources relevant to your topic. Due via dedicated Turnitin portal by the end of Week 7.15
Assignment 5submit your visual analysis + context + critical issues that will form the basis of your second chapter (minimum 2,000 words; maximum 3,000 words excluding footnotes and bibliography). Due via dedicated Turnitin portal by the end of Week 9. 15
RESEARCH PRESENTATION15-mn oral presentation to the class that begins with your core object and the thesis research question, then states your historiographical and methodological position and, finally, explains how your detailed thesis outline is a constructed, argued attempt to answer to your research question. Week 12.25
RESEARCH PRESENTATION15-mn oral presentation to the class that begins with your core object and the thesis research question, then states your historiographical and methodological position and, finally, explains how your detailed thesis outline is a constructed, argued attempt to answer to your research question. Week 12.25

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Attendance is mandatory.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE

Please see our dedicated Moodle course page for detailed instructions on assignments and homework, as well as the  full course bibliography and view-only course materials.

 

 

Week 1)

Introduction: What is a Senior Thesis? 

Formal requirements of the Art History Thesis

 

Week 2)

Defining a research topic

Formulating a research question

 

Week 3)

Abstract

Outline (1)

 

 

Week 4)

Secondary sources

Library resources: Frohring, databases though JCU Discovery and beyond, ILL, Zotero

 

Week 5)

Primary sources

Rome archives, online archives and world databases

 

 

Week 6)

First readers and second readers

Schedules to completion and work-flow

 

 

Week 7)

Bibliographies as works-in-progress

Literature review: state of the field

 

 

Week 8)

Critical positioning

Methodology and “theory”

 

Week 9)

Visual analysis 

Visual analysis-context-issues

 

 

Week 10)

Outline (2)

Problem-shooting

 

Week 11)

Conclusions

Introductions

 

Week 12)

>Oral Presentations (1)

> Oral Presentations (2)

 

Week 13)

Style guides: Chicago, footnotes

Figure, captions and the critical apparatus

 

Week 14)

Proof-reading and reader feedback

Digital submission

 

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY: see our dedicated Moodle page for the full course bibliography and view-only course materials.