初年次ゼミナールⅠ(PEAK)

Week 1: Introduction Week 2: The Idea of a University(*) Week 3: (Academic) Information Literacy Week 4: The Two(?) Cultures and their (Dis)Contents(*) Week 5: Reading and Writing Academic Work Week 6: The Philosophy of (Positive) Science(*) Week 7: The Philosophy of Social Science/Humanities(*) Week 8: Debates, Debating and Debate Planning Week 9: Rights and Responsibilities of Scientists and Other Students/Researchers(*) Week 10: Post-Truth and Consequences(*) Week 11: Critical Thinking(*) Week 12: Video Viewing and Discussion Week 13: Debate

The course will use a variety of methods including lectures, class discussions, group work, written work and non-assessed formative activities.

Group Contribution to Class Discussions (20%) Academic Paper Interpretation and Explanation (25%) Debate Position Paper (25%) Group Video Production (20%) Group Video Feedback (10%)

Individual Assessment Academic Paper Interpretation and Explanation (25%) Each student will be assigned one of six papers to read and discuss with the others assigned to the same paper (their number group). Students will then individually write a summary of their assigned paper for a non-academic audience. The summary should be written for a generally literate and informed audience who are not specialists in the relevant field. The summary should not use references within the text, but should provide a brief bibliography (2–6 papers) of other relevant papers which provide background, explanation, or alternative theses on the topic of the paper. This bibliography may be shared within the group or individually identified. Debate Position Paper (25%) Students should individually write an academic essay (700–1000 words) giving the arguments for and against the debate proposition. This essay should include appropriate academic style and references/referencing and bibliography. As well as being submitted for evaluation, this position paper should be shared with their debate discussion group to inform their group’s debate presentation. Note: the debate itself will not be marked, just the individual position papers. Group Assessments Students will be randomly assigned a letter (A–E) and number (1–6) group. Their paper interpretation group will be the number and the video and discussion/debate group will be their letter. Group Contribution to Discussions (20%) The last 15 minutes of seven sessions will be a class discussion (marked with * on the schedule). For the first ten minutes, students will engage in discussions within their (lettter) groups. For the final five minutes each group will be asked to present a brief conclusion of their groups discussion to the wider class. These final contributions will be assessed. Group Video Production (20%) Each (letter) group will be required to produce a 4–6 minute video highlighting a major current issue in science or technology. These videos will be marked according to their presentation quality and content (marking scheme to be provided later). Suggested topics are provided but groups may propose their own topics by week 3, to be approved or a suggested topic assigned, by week 4. The intended style of the video must be declared on the written submission form accompanying the video. Suggested styles: News reporting, “found footage”, advocacy, interview. Group Video Assessment (10%) Each (letter) group will watch and provide feedback on the contents and effectiveness of all the other groups videos. A feedback format will be provided. The feedback will be marked for its utility in helping the other groups improve their content and presentation.