Study Notes
ENG 246: Native American Literature
Fall 2007
 
Assignment Description
Throughout the course of the semester, each student will create three sets of Study Notes—on an historical event (Event Study Notes) , a Native American nation (Nation Study Notes) , and on a Native writer (Biographical Study Notes). These Study Notes will emphasize key points of the topic that enrich our understanding of the texts, themes, and/or issues of the course. Study Notes will be posted on the course web site for all students to use for class preparation, papers, short writings, and the final exam.  
 

• Event Study Notes will focus on a specific historical event and should include a description of that assigned event, its historical context, its significance at the time, and its contemporary legacy or relevance. You will want to include information that enriches our understanding of the assigned text to which the event relates.

 

• Nation Study Notes will focus on a specific Native American Nation and should include historical, cultural, linguistic, demographic, and sociological information. You will not be able to include everything, so you will want to select information that enriches our understanding of the assigned text(s).

 

• Biographical Study Notes will provide information about the life and literary works of your assigned author. For Native women writers, one good place to start is a web site called Voices from the Gaps, which include brief biographical information, a list of the author's works, and (some) links to other information. There are other biographical web sites that I can suggest, but each student should consult the Dictionary of Literary Biography, which a reference librarian can help you access if you have trouble using the Miami Library reference site.   

 
Topics will be assigned randomly on the second day of class. Students may trade topics but must commit to their dates and topics by Wednesday, September 5, 2007. After that date, students may not change either the date or the topic of their Study Notes.
 
Because you will be an expert on your assigned historical event, nation, and writer, I urge you to share your findings during class discussion. You may ask me any questions you have about the focus, length, or scope of your Study Notes; I am willing to guide you as you work to meet the assignment goals.
 
Before turning in your final assignment, you should have a friend or classmate copyedit your Study Notes because they are going to be posted on the Internet for everyone's use. We will all be able to tell, of course, if you plagiarize from other web sources. You may use web sources, but you must paraphrase and cite them appropriately. I urge you to select your web sources very carefully and to consult books in the library in equal measure.
 
Assignment Requirements

• Each set of Study Notes must be at least three pages long and should conform to the paper formatting guidelines listed in your syllabus.

 

• Each set of Study Notes must be submitted electronically (by e-mail) and on paper (in class) on the assigned date.

 
Helpful Hints

• You may use sub-headings to help you organize information. No more than three subheadings should appear in your Study Notes, so choose them carefully.

 

• Avail yourself of the reference librarians and reference resources available on-line through the Miami Libraries web site, especially for the Biographical Study Notes.

 

• Avoid quoting other sources. Instead, first collect all your research, then read it for understanding. Take careful notes in your own words. Then, summarize, analyze, and synthesize the information through your own critical perspective rather than merely reciting what others have written.

 
Grading Criteria
Your Study Notes will be graded on the following criteria:
 

• Relevance and focus of Study Notes as they relate to course texts, themes, and/or issues

 

• Analysis of your research and sources and the subsequent synthesis of information

 

• Recognition and exploration of competing information (where applicable)

 

• Organization and presentation of the Study Notes (including correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, diction, and prose that is clear, concise and vivid!).

 

• Selection of the bibliography and proper citation