For this project you will either adapt a paper you wrote for a previous 4000-level literature course you took or an assignment for a 4000-level literature course you are currently taking and expand it to the length, critical engagement, and quality expected of a peer-reviewed publication. I will work with you on the writing process and in attuning the paper to the requirements and audience for the publication.
The capstone paper should be about 3000-4000 words long in MLA format (about 12-15 pages, longer is fine). You must incorporate at least 3 peer-reviewed secondary sources in your essay, which must incorporate a clearly articulated critical framework.
You must incorporate at least 3 peer-reviewed secondary sources in your essay, which must have a clearly articulated theoretical framework.
The Capstone Paper has 3 components:
An Annotated Bibliography
A Presentation on Capstone Day
The Capstone Paper
The learning objectives for this assignment are the following:
To develop a research paper beyond the audience/focus of a literature seminar, to meet the standards of a peer-reviewed publication in the field.
To develop your research skills so you can refine a search and identify useful scholarly resources to support your paper.
To assess and compile resources in support of your research project.
To clearly articulate a theoretical framework and apply it to your research paper.
To incorporate primary and secondary sources effectively into your research paper.
To demonstrate your expanded research skills by developing an annotated bibliography.
AI Policy: You may use AI in any way you see fit, provided it doesn't interfere with your achievement of these learning objectives. If you use AI, please write a brief (1-paragraph) discussion of how you used it.
Timeline
Week 11: Defining your topic and initial research.
Week 12: Refining Research and starting your Annotated Bibliography
Week 13: Your Theoretical Framework and expanding your Annotated Bibliography