Values &
Creative Thinking
Imogene Stulken
978-934-5014
Assignment: Imagine that you have been invited to give a “Last Lecture” at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. You have been asked to address questions from each of the following sections:
1) What makes you unique? What do you, alone, truly have to offer? (Pausch 10, 12). What makes you special?
2) What childhood dreams have you achieved? (Pausch 19). What are your dreams now?
3) What adventures have you had? What lessons have you learned? (Pausch 55).
4) How have you enabled the dreams of others? (Pausch 105). How have you reached beyond yourself to others?
5) How have you lived your life? (Pausch 129). How do you recharge your batteries? (Pausch 201). Where have you found meaning in or for your life? What values have been important to you? What do you believe in?
6) What advice would you give? What questions do you still have? What legacy are you leaving?
I. Requirements
A. Mechanics
1. Length: between 6 to 8 pages, double-spaced
2. Left and right margins of 1.25 inches, with size 12 Times New Roman or Calibri font
3. Use spelling checker
4. Double-check use of punctuation and grammar
B. On the due date:
1. E-mail version submitted by the beginning of the final exam time
a. As “Microsoft Word 2003.doc” attachment or
b. As text in the body of the e-mail
2. Hard copy handed in at the beginning of the final exam period
C. At least three references – with properly formatted citations – will be made to the assigned text, The Last Lecture.
1. Citation examples
a. The author’s name appears in the sentence itself, so only the page number needs to appear in the parentheses: Pausch, in speaking of a class project said, “What I most loved about all of this was that teamwork was so central to its success” (124).
b. The author’s name does not appear in the sentence, so it is included in the citation with the page number: For a particular class project, “teamwork was so central to its success” (Pausch 124).
c. The author’s name is mentioned; the ideas are paraphrased rather than quoted directly: Pausch really liked his class project that demanded teamwork for its success (124).
2. At the end of the paper, include the following “Work Cited” reference: Pausch, Randy, with Jeffrey Zaslow. The Last Lecture. New York: Hyperion, 2008.
II. Content of paper
A. Page one (no title page necessary) to include:
1. Student’s name
2. Instructor’s name
3. Course title
4. Date due
5. Title of paper
6. Optional, not required: Photo
B. Body of Paper: answers to questions in 1) through 6) in first Assignment paragraph
1. Uniqueness
2) Dreams
3) Adventures/ Lessons
4) Others
5) Values/ Beliefs/ Meaning
6) Advice/ Questions/ Legacy
III. Grading Rubric
A. To be completed by each student for her or his own paper
B. To be turned in with final paper
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This paper is mainly a personal essay. You are invited to reflect on your life now and any hopes and dreams for the future. I hope you enjoy writing about yourself.
Best wishes for the spring semester!
Imogene Stulken
Student Form (Please note: This is a copy of what was handed out in class. Grade your own paper and turn the rubric in with your final paper.)
E-mail Version and Hard Copy Due: Tuesday, December 16, 2008, 10:00 AM
Student Name: _________________________________ Student-Assigned Grade: _________
Possible POINTS
Page One: student’s name, instructor’s name, course title, date, title of paper (05) _______
Body: answers to questions in 1) through 6):
1) Uniqueness (10) _______
2) Dreams (10) _______
3) Adventures/ Lessons (10) _______
4) Others (10) _______
5) Values/ Beliefs/ Meaning (10) _______
6) Advice/ Questions/ Legacy (10) _______
Presentation: topic sentences, paragraph transitions, overall organization (05) _______
Mechanics: 1) correct spelling, punctuation, grammar, and word usage (07) _______
2) length of paper: between 6 to 8 pages, double-spaced (05) _______
3) left & right margins of 1.25 inches, size 12 Times New Roman or Calibri font (03) _______
4) clearly expressed wording and ideas (05) _______
Submissions: hard copy (05) _______
e-mail (05)
Citations: proper format for at least three citations from The Last Lecture (15) _______
Source: The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch listed as Work Cited in proper format (05) _______
Total: _______
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Total Possible Points: 120 Your Total Points: _________ Your Score (your total points divided by 120): _______ Your Grade: _________
Grading Policy: 93-100=A; 90-92=A-; 87-89=B+; 83-86=B; 80-82=B-; 77-79=C+; 73-76=C; 70-72=C-; 67-69=D+; 63-66=D; 62 & below=F
1) Read:
a) "Choices for a Rising Generation"
b) "A More Peaceful and Prosperous World"
2) Write a one-paragraph statement encouraging young people to get involved. (You may include examples of your own civic engagement.)
(For ideas, see "Choices for a Rising Generation" and "A More Peaceful and Prosperous World.")
3) Read:
a) "You Can!"
b) "Power to the Pupils"
4) Choose one of the organizations referenced in "You Can!" or "Power to the Pupils."
5) Go to the Web site for that organization. (For your convenience, the Web links are listed below).
6) Write a one-paragraph summary of how young people are involved in the organization you selected.
www.whatkidscando.org/ (What Kids Can Do)
www.girlsforachange.org/ (Girls for a Change)
www.youthunited.net/yucamain.htm (Youth United for Community Action)
www.urbanyouthcollaborative.org/ (Urban Youth Collaborative)
www.drumnation.org/ (DRUM)
www.therethinkers.com/ (Rethinkers in New Orleans)
www.youth4justice.org/welcome/ (Youth for Justice in Los Angeles)
www.detroitsummer.org/ (Detroit Summer Collective)
friendsofjustice.wordpress.com/jena-6/ (Friends of Justice)
www.uspirg.org/ (PIRG)
www.usstudents.org/ (United States Student Association)
www.sfalliance.org/ (Student/Farmworker Alliance)
www.ciw-online.org/ (Coalition of Immokalee Workers
www.yawr.org/ (Youth Against War and Racism)
www.standnow.org/ (STAND)
www.wiretapmag.org/activism/43351/
Please note: A plagiarized paper will receive an automatic failing grade.
|
Excellent |
Good |
Satisfactory |
Poor/Failing |
1. Front Page |
A front page is included and contains the student’s name, the instructor’s name, the course title, the date, and the title of the paper. |
N/A |
Most details are included, but a few are missing. |
Several details on the front page are inaccurate, incomplete, or missing. |
2. Introduction |
The introductory paragraph is compelling and captures the reader’s attention. The selected subject’s name, birth and death dates, and age at time of death are included. The thesis states what the subject’s intrinsic and instrumental values were. |
The first paragraph – though not compelling - introduces the selected subject, gives the required information, and states a thesis about the subject’s intrinsic and instrumental values. |
The introductory paragraph gives the required information on the subject, but the thesis is not clearly stated, nor are the subject’s intrinsic and instrumental values specified. |
The introductory paragraph is uninteresting, misses much of the required information on the subject, omits a thesis statement, or is lacking. |
3. Body |
The paper presents a brief summary of the selected person’s life. Evidence is presented to support the thesis statement. At least seven of the questions in the Questions paragraph on the Midterm Assignment sheet are answered. |
The paper presents a brief summary of the selected person’s life. The thesis statement is supported by some evidence. Only 5 to 6 of the required questions are answered. |
The paper presents a summary of the selected person’s life. The thesis statement is minimally supported. Only 3 to 4 of the required questions are answered. |
The paper presents a summary of the selected person’s life, but is lacking evidence to support the thesis, and/or has answered only 0-2 of the required questions. |
4. Presentation & Organization |
Topic sentences identify paragraphs’ purposes, reflect their content, and contribute to the unity of the paper as a whole. Transitions indicate relationships between ideas as well as paragraphs. The overall organization of the paragraphs is purposeful and logical. |
Topic sentences usually identify paragraph content but may not contribute to the paper’s unity. Transitions indicate the relationships between paragraphs. The overall organization is mostly purposeful and logical. |
Topic sentences do not consistently reflect paragraph content. Transitions sometimes do not indicate the relationships between paragraphs. The organization is sometimes illogical. |
Topic sentences are unclear or non-existent. Transitions fail to indicate the relationships between paragraphs. The organization of paragraphs is illogical and distracting. |
5. Conclusion |
The conclusion restates the thesis, puts forth the values of the selected subject that would be important to remember and/or emulate, and leaves the reader with a clear understanding of what the author has learned. |
The conclusion restates the thesis, alludes to the values of the selected subject, and summarizes what the author has learned. |
The paper has a conclusion, but it does little more than restate the introduction |
The paper has no clear conclusion, does not restate the thesis, and/or is lacking a statement of the subject’s values to be remembered or emulated. |
6. Mechanics & |
The paper is free from spelling, |
A few spelling, |
Several spelling, |
Significant spelling, |
7. Submissions |
The paper met all the following 10:00 AM submission deadlines: |
The paper met most of the 10:00 AM submission deadlines, but was late with one or two submissions (although all material was turned in). |
The paper met some of the 10:00 AM submission deadlines but was late with several of the submissions and/or had material missing. |
The paper met very few of the 10:00 AM submission deadlines and/or significant material was incomplete. |
8. Citations |
Sources are cited in proper Turabian or MLA format with footnotes throughout the paper and a bibliography at the end. |
The paper conforms to the rules for citation of sources with minor exceptions; it includes footnotes and a bibliography. |
The paper conforms to the rules for citation of sources with several – even major - exceptions. |
The paper often incorrectly cites sources, is missing footnotes and/or a bibliography, or is plagiarized. |
9. Sources |
The paper meets the following source requirements: |
The paper includes sources from each required category, but it does not meet the minimum requirement within one of the categories. |
The paper has sources from only two of the required categories, or it does not meet the minimum requirements in each category. |
The paper uses only 1-2 sources – and these are limited to the Internet. |
10. Extra Credit |
Attendance at “Sex & Excess” and written 1-page reflective response. |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Total Possible Points: 120 (+10 Extra Credit) Your Total Points:___________________ Your Score: ___________________
Grading Policy: 93-100=A; 90-92=A-; 87-89=B+; 83-86=B; 80-82=B-; 77-79=C+; 73-76=C; 70-72=C-; 67-69=D+; 63-66=D; 62 & below=F
Please note: A plagiarized paper will receive an automatic failing grade.
POINTS
Front Page: student’s name, instructor’s name, course title, date, title of paper (05) _______
Introduction: 1) selected person’s name, birth and death dates, age at time of death;
2) thesis statement about the subject’s intrinsic and instrumental values (10) _______
Body: 1) brief summary of subject’s life
2) evidence to support thesis statement
3) responses to at least 7 of the questions in the Questions paragraph
on Midterm Assignment sheet (20) _______
Presentation: topic sentences, paragraph transitions, overall organization (10) _______
Conclusion: restated thesis, values of subject to remember and/or emulate (05) _______
Mechanics: 1) correct spelling, punctuation, grammar, and word usage
2) length of paper: between 7 to 9 pages, double-spaced
3) left & right margins of 1.25 inches, size 12 Times New Roman or Calibri font
4) clearly expressed wording and ideas (20) _______
Submissions: all submission deadlines met: top 3 choices with a paragraph for each;
preliminary list of sources; rough draft (hard copy & e-mail); final list
of sources (hard copy, in proper format); Midterm paper (hard copy, e-mail
version, and “turn it in” version) (25) _______
Citations: all sources cited in proper Turabian or MLA format; footnotes, bibliography (15) _______
Sources: between 3-5 Internet sources; at least 2 newspapers, magazines, or journals (10) _______
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Extra Credit: attendance at “Sex & Excess” and written 1-page reflective response (10) _______
Total Possible Points: 120 (+10 Extra Credit) Your Total Points: ______________ Your Score: ___________________
Grading Policy: 93-100=A; 90-92=A-; 87-89=B+; 83-86=B; 80-82=B-; 77-79=C+; 73-76=C; 70-72=C-; 67-69=D+; 63-66=D; 62 & below=F
Subject. Go to boston.com and search for Notable Deaths 2008 or go directly to boston.com/news/world/gallery/021308_2008deaths/? . Select three people about whom you would like to learn more or whose careers interest you. (Please note: You will write on only one person, but you must turn in your top three choices.) For each of your three preferences you will turn in a brief paragraph giving the reason(s) for that selection.
Topic. When I have given you the final selection, research the facts that made up your person’s life and determine what her or his intrinsic values and instrumental values were. Your person may have talked or written about these values, or you may have to make an educated guess with the information you find. Refer to the article “Developing a Personal System of Values” for lists of intrinsic and instrumental values.
Thesis. You will formulate a thesis stating what the person’s intrinsic and instrumental values were. Your paper should then give evidence to support your thesis.
Questions. In the body of the paper, address such questions as: What particular positions did she or he hold on various ethical or moral issues? What was important to your person? What ideals did he or she hold? What were the person’s dreams? What goals did he or she reach? How consistent were the person’s values over time? How did the person live out these values? What choices did she or he make? What did these choices say about the person’s values? What impact did the person have on the world? What legacy did the person leave? What was notable about this life? What makes this a “notable death”?
Style. For information on style (including formatting the front page and on using citations), go to: owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/557/0
I. Requirements
A. Mechanics
1. Length: between 7 to 9 pages, double-spaced
2. Left and right margins of 1.25 inches, with size 12 Times New Roman or Calibri font
3. Use spelling checker
4. Double-check use of punctuation and grammar
B. On the due date:
1. E-mail version submitted by the beginning of class time
a. As “Microsoft Word 2003.doc” attachment or
b. As text in the body of the e-mail
2. Hard copy handed in at the beginning of class
3. Uploaded copy to “turn it in” Websiteat www.turnitin.com in one of the following formats:
a. Microsoft Word
b. pdf
c. RTF (Rich Text Format)
Logging in first time: Create profile using class ID and enrollment password provided in class
C. Citations
1. Cite all sources, in proper format
2. Use Turabian or MLA style
a. Footnotes throughout paper
b. Bibliography at end
D. Requirements for source types
1. Between 3-5 Internet sources (Only .edu or .gov sites will be accepted; if you want to use any other site, you must show me the Website and prove its authenticity. One search engine to use is Google Scholar.)
2. No limit on encyclopedias (This includes online encyclopedias, such as Encyclopedia Britannica, as well asonline databases, but not Wikipedia.)
3. At least 2 newspapers, magazines or journals (This must be a printed magazine or journal, although it is also acceptable to use online versions.)
4. At least 2 books or book collections
II. Content of paper
A. Front page
B. Introduction to include:
1. Selected person’s name, birth and death dates, and age at time of death
2. Your thesis statement about the person’s intrinsic and instrumental values
B. Body of Paper
1. Brief summary of person’s life (not a complete biography)
2. Evidence to support your thesis statement
3. Responses to at least 7 of the questions in the Questions paragraph above
C. Conclusion
1. Restated thesis
2. Values of this person that would be important to remember and/or emulate
Check-up Dates:
Thursday, September 25, 2008, 10:00 AM |
Subject Choices Due |
Thursday, October 2, 2008, 10:00 AM |
List of Sources Due |
Thursday, October 9, 2008, 10:00 AM |
Rough Draft Due |
Thursday, October 16, 2008, 10:00 AM |
Final List of Sources Due |
Tuesday, October 21, 2008, 10:00 AM |
Paper Due |
If you have any questions, please e-mail me or schedule an appointment with me.
Assignment: You have enrolled at the
Requirements:
The paper is to be 3 pages of text, double-spaced. Standard margins apply,
with size 12 Times New Roman font. On page one,
please include the date in the upper left-hand corner and your name in the
upper right-hand corner. Please be sure
to use a spelling checker.
On the due date,
a copy will be e-mailed to me, and a hard copy will be handed in to me at the
beginning of class.
There is no need
for citations; you should not use any outside sources. This paper is a personal essay.
Due Date: Thursday, September 11, 2008
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to e-mail me or to schedule an appointment with me.