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CLAS224 Word Elements
Department of Classics
Monmouth College
Etymology Project
During the semester each student will pursue and
develop a project on the history of a word or words. Students are encouraged to choose
topics based on their own backgrounds and interests. For example, an English major may wish to
trace the history of an English word from its origins to the present. A Spanish student may
choose to study the influence of Spanish on English (or vice versa). It is highly recommended
that you discuss your written report topic with the instructor at an early stage in the process.
The
project consists of NINE (9) parts. Eight of these are required and one is
optional (extra credit). Click for more information.
ALL projects submitted after the due date
will receive a late penalty of fifteen points.
PROJECT GRADE: A (150
points); B+ (143 points); B (136
points); C+ (129 points); C (122
points); D+ (115 points); D (108
points).
The grade for this project will be 30% of the
final grade.
1.) Analysis
and Comparison of electronic dictionary entries from American Heritage Dictionary and the
Oxford English Dictionary. For this assignment you should choose a word related to the general
topic you plan to work on. For example, if you think you may want to work on an economics
topic, you might look up the word "economics" in both electronic dictionaries, copy the entries
from both, analyze each entry, and then compare them. A worksheet
is provided to complete this assignment. (10 points)
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2.) Dictionary
Survey
and Comparison. A survey of three dictionaries in the Hewes Library
which may be useful to your project. For further information, see Dictionary
Survey and Comparison.
(10 points)
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3.) A Prospectus. The
prospectus consists of the following: a.) a description of the proposed topic;
b.) a plan of action (i.e., how do you intend to develop this project, in
terms of research); c.) an annotated bibliography of at least
five resources (print or electronic). "Annotated" means that you provide a
brief description of the resource and an explanation of how it could be used in the
project. the project description and plan of action should be approximately 300
words in length. (10 points)
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4.) Electronic
Word Search and Analysis This search (on the American
Heritage Dictionary) should be related to the topic you plan to pursue. For example, a search of the
word "economics" will produce a list of several hundred items. Analyze this list and group the
words in categories which help you to organize the material for your project. Submit the original
list and analysis along with 250-word precis describing how you could use this material in
your etymology project. For more information see Electronic
Word Search. (10
points)
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5.) Progress report. This
OPTIONAL report can be a detailed outline, description, or rough draft of
the project. It must include an annotated bibliography of at least TEN (10)
resources consulted so far for the project ( in addition to course textbooks, American
Heritage Dictionary and the Oxford English Dictionary;
"annotated" means that you provide a
two- or three-sentence description of the resource and an explanation of how it
is used in the
project). This progress report may provide you with some significant feedback from
the instructor at an early stage in the process. (10 points)
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6.)
Central Product. The central product of this project will
typically be a
paper, at least six pages in length, which offers a well-written
discussion and analysis of an etymology topic.
Other possible formats include lesson plans,
Powerpoints (containing detailed information in the notes area),
etc. The project will be
the result of careful analysis of a variety of resources, including
dictionaries, scholarly books and articles on words, and internet resources. The
project will demonstrate an ability to analyze words, use
dictionaries in both print and electronic forms, and perform
electronic word searches. The
project will also reflect the student's own interpretation and point of view
(originality). (70 points)
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7.) Annotated
Bibliography (to be submitted along with the
final project) A minimum of
ten sources are required for a B-range grade; more are
encouraged for a project worthy of an A-range grade.
The course book (Ayers),
American
Heritage Dictionary and the Oxford English Dictionary
must also be cited in
the bibliography but only as complements to at least ten
additional works.
"Annotated" means that you provide at
least a
two- or three-sentence description of the resource and an explanation of how it was used in the project).
The more detailed the annotation, the better
the grade. The quality of the material consulted will significantly affect
the grade. It is highly recommended that a variety of
resources be consulted, including books, journals,
dictionaries and websites.
Bibliographies must not cite only one kind of source (e.g., websites). Be sure to use consistent and standard bibliographic format.
For format of bibliographic references, see
Writing Guidelines.
(10 points)
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8.) Project
Overview and Self-Assessment
(to be submitted along with the
final paper and poster). This consists of a written statement (c.750 words)
which contains the following information: a.) a summary of the project; b.) a description of its
preparation; and c.) an explanation of how you used and analyzed sources
(originality); d.) your evaluation of the ways your project meet
the project goals (self-assessment). (10 points)
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9.) Poster
and Presentation. During the
exam period a poster
visually summarizing the project will be presented to
other members of the class. The poster
will present the topic in an
appropriate combination of text and images.
Grade for this presentation will be based upon the
quality of the poster and the presenter's ability to explain the project and poster orally to
this audience. (30 points)
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This material has been published
on the web by Prof. Tom
Sienkewicz for his students at Monmouth
College. If you have any questions, you can contact him at toms@monm.edu.
Return to 2003
Word Elements Syllabus
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