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Capstone Guidance - corpsole2 - 10-18-2013
I am on Module Two of the Liberal Arts Capstone for TESC, and while it is harder than I thought it would be, it is manageable. On Module One, the introductory chapter, I got an 88/100 for the paper. I think Dr. Haydel graded it that way because I was a bit too informal in my language and I didn't cite a source correctly.
But now I am on Literature Review. The criteria for the module says I shouldn't have to refer to dozens of sources for this module, but my main question here is: how many sources did any of you use for this module? Right now I have four core sources I am looking at and expect to add no more than eight more. Is this about right?
I am supposed to have cited material in every paragraph, so I don't expect to have too many pages on this module. I expect I'll have five or six pages for the main body plus the bibliography.
And insights into this?
Capstone Guidance - Westerner - 10-19-2013
Wow. I had a lot of sources in my Lit Review...around 25! And that was the longest chapter in my Capstone—13 double spaced pages (excluding bibliography). Though my paper was tracing various aspects of US history over the years. I've seen other papers that didn't use that many sources. I have heard that Dr. Haydel developed this course, though, so you'd probably want to get and take her advice on anything
Capstone Guidance - corpsole2 - 10-19-2013
Thanks, Westerner!
I spoke to Dr. Haydel again last night, and I thoroughly enjoy speaking with her. She is a wonderful mentor. She did develop the capstone course for TESC, but even she admits that she doesn't understand why APA is so rigid. She told me that as long as I cite the information correctly, I will do fine.
She told me that about a dozen references is average. She advises against using many references, simply because it bogs you down. As it is, I am getting bogged down with the eight I am right now using. I don't think I could have done it with twenty five sources and thirteen pages. She doesn't expect many pages on the first draft; just solid research on the topic. I am glad, as I think I can only muster about six pages with the time I have.
Capstone Guidance - corpsole2 - 10-20-2013
One thing that bugs me (which it probably shouldn't) is the whole "if you don't get all the formatting done exactly right, then you will be held liable." They make the wording sound so dire; as if they will prosecute you if you miss the correct way to cite a quote or a paraphrase. My professor laughs about it and says it always is for the worst case scenario, but she still will require us to follow formatting to a T.
To those who took this course and have gone on to great jobs, have you been required to follow APA style in report writing, or is academia obtuse?
Capstone Guidance - Westerner - 10-20-2013
Yeah, I was pretty nervous about messing up something in my formatting or citation :eek: I must have taken down and re-submitted my final Capstone half a dozen times because I found something wrong in the citation hilarious
Capstone Guidance - Arthiel - 10-24-2013
I think I might be in the same class as you. I haven't even started on chapter 2. I know, I know, terrible...
I just wanna get this paper on the War of 1812 finished first. I really only have 4 solid sources for my topic so I'm a little worried it won't look credible and full enough. We'll see I guess...
Capstone Guidance - corpsole2 - 10-25-2013
I find it interesting how all of us on this thread and most of our classmates are History majors, earning what some consider a "useless" degree. Clearly, we haven't gotten the memo that liberal arts degrees only qualify us for burger flipping jobs. :
arcasm:: I am already tired of people asking the inevitable follow up "So, what are you going to do with a history degree? Teach?" You know, I just might teach while I figure out if I want to try business or law school or just go right into financial modeling. The thing I always have to do with the inquisitors is educate them on just how appropriate liberal arts degrees are in this economy. But, they still believe the line that STEM degrees are what's needed.
Capstone Guidance - corpsole2 - 10-25-2013
Yeah, I am more careful than normal about the Literature Review. I have reviewed the assignment twice already to check citations, and spotted some obvious problems.
The instructions called for citations in every body paragraph, so I assume they are not needed in the conclusion.
Westerner, your paper is helping me get the flow of the layout better than I would have hoped! I appreciate you giving me a copy. It looks like Module Three: Methodology is going to be easier since it doesn't appear to have near as many citations and it isn't as long as Literature Review.
Capstone Guidance - corpsole2 - 10-25-2013
Arthiel Wrote:I think I might be in the same class as you. I haven't even started on chapter 2. I know, I know, terrible...
I really only have 4 solid sources for my topic so I'm a little worried it won't look credible and full enough. We'll see I guess...
Well, good to see a fellow Capstone voyager on here! I'm Matthew.
The paper on the War of 1812 was a piece of cake when I took War and American Society. I loved that course; my insight into warfare and the mistakes we don't seem to learn made a huge impression on me, and have given me an extra dimension to discussions since then.
As far as four sources are concerned, talk to Dr. Haydel on the phone. She is very accessible, and can give you up to the minute answers to your questions.
Capstone Guidance - UptonSinclair - 10-25-2013
I am not a TESC student, but you have me curious. Have you tried easybib? I used it for all of my BYU writing and loved it.