English 495 Senior Writing and Critical Thinking
Senior Writing & Critical
Thinking Seminar provides a capstone experience for all BYU-Idaho English
majors regardless of emphasis. The course
has a three prong approach that culminates and integrates all courses within
the English program: scholarly research, ethical criticism, and professional
portfolios.
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English 495 Senior Writing and Critical Thinking Syllabus
English 495 Senior Writing and Critical Thinking Assignment Grid
English 495 Senior Writing and Critical Thinking Course Overview Presentation
English 495 Senior Writing and Critical Thinking Assignment Grid
English 495 Senior Writing and Critical Thinking Course Overview Presentation
Senior Research Article
The senior research report demonstrates
evidence of scholarly research, thoroughness, coherence, and depth of
perception. The finished paper must be a
minimum of 12-15 pages, excluding end notes and a works cited page.
The senior research article (reformatted from the research report) reads as a scholarly article in a professional journal. This assignment demonstrates desktop publishing skills and expertise. |
Ethical Literary Criticism
Students establish a theoretical framework by reading both scholarly articles on ethical literary criticism and LDS leaders addressing morality and literature.
Below are some of the readings on ethical criticism:
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Reading Lists. These lists are compiled from faculty surveys suggesting book titles for BYU-Idaho English majors.
Literary Companion Critical Analysis. Students through literary and ethical criticism begin to develop a personal philosophy on defining good literature. Critical Synthesis Response. Students write a synthesis using essays from George’s Ethics, Literature, and Theory text and examples from canon and recommended literature individual choices. Book Fest. English majors are expected to know books and to articulate conversations about what they read. This multi-part assignment culminates in a 15-20 minute presentation on a single book. These presentations and activities become Book Fest. |
Professional Portfolio
The professional portfolio affords students an opportunity to gather, revise, and present their best writing as a major at BYU-Idaho. This portfolio becomes a permanent document capturing them as writers during this phase of their lives. This portfolio also becomes a marketing tool in entering careers and graduate school.
Students will submit an electronic portfolio and a 24-page print portfolio. The professional portfolio project includes the following minor assignments: |
Below are sample student professional portfolios.
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