Instructor: Dr. Jennifer Guiliano

301.405.8927

guiliano@umd.edu

@jenguiliano

Office Hours: Wednesdays 10-11 am or by appointment

Office Location:

Maryland Institute for Technology In the Humanities, 0301 Hornbake Library

Directions: Enter Non-Print Media (basement level) and hang left past the DVDs.

 

Class Times: Mondays 4-6:00 pm

Class Location:

Maryland Institute for Technology In the Humanities, 0301 Hornbake Library

Course Website: http://www.mith.umd.edu/dccresearch/syllabus/

Course Description: This two-credit research practicum serves as the culmination of the two years of coursework that you have done in the Digital Cultures and Creativity Program. The course is designed to support your work in completing your capstone project by exploring the major issues associated with conducting a research project in digital cultures and creativity. Importantly, then this course will include a research component in addition to the development of other skills needed when completing a digital project. We’ll explore issues including refining one’s topic, completing an environmental scan, writing for differing types of audiences, constructing a publicity campaign, copyright and citations, as well as how to present oneself in a professional research environment.

Learning Outcomes:

• Students will receive focused exposure to the special topic of research practices within the broad purview of digital cultures and creativity.
• They will explore the methodologies and tools useful to conducting research through readings, critical thought, and practical, hands-on development of their capstone project.
• Students will be able to discuss major issues and debates in the areas of citation/attribution, copyright, environmental scans, and project development.
• Students will synthesize insights from one another as well as the instructor and their readings in order to produce a final project that displays real depth of creativity and insight in the area of selected research topic of their choice.
• Students will conclude the seminar with a focused base of knowledge that they can use as a foundation for other project related courses within the university, as well as working relationships with the instructional faculty and other students with kindred interests.
• Demonstrate understanding of methods, skills, tools and systems that can be used in completing a research project
• Demonstrate the ability to choose and use appropriate technologies to communicate about their final project.
• Demonstrate critical analysis of arguments and evaluation of their projects’ major assertions, its background assumptions, the evidence used to support its assertions, and its explanatory utility
• Communicate effectively, through written and oral communication and through other forms as appropriate.
• Demonstrate understanding of the interconnections of knowledge production within and across disciplines and digital forms.
• Delineate and describe the importance of conducting research within an academic environment.

Goals: Students will

• Demonstrate understanding of methods, skills, tools and systems that can be used in completing a research project
• Demonstrate the ability to choose and use appropriate technologies to communicate about their final project.
• Demonstrate critical analysis of arguments and evaluation of their projects’ major assertions, its background assumptions, the evidence used to support its assertions, and its explanatory utility
• Communicate effectively, through written and oral communication and through other forms as appropriate.
• Demonstrate understanding of the interconnections of knowledge production within and across disciplines and digital forms.
• Delineate and describe the importance of conducting research within an academic environment.