HO
490 - SEMINAR Spring, 2001
1 credit
Fridays, 1:00-1:50, NPB 119
Requirements:
Attendance: Expected.
Presentation. A
20-minute oral presentation reporting the results of applied research, an in-depth review of a horticultural topic, or an
analysis of a horticultural issue is required.
Presentations are expected to include such visual aids as color
overheads, slides and/or computer projection. Appropriate computer software (e.g.,
MS Powerpoint) must be used for the preparation of all visuals that the
instructors deem appropriate. This report, review or analysis should not be a
broad discussion of a general subject but instead cover a specific aspect of a
topic. For example, "How to
rejuvenate shrubs" would not be an acceptable topic for a paper. Examples
of acceptable topics include: "The sprouting of lilac in relation to season
of pruning and carbohydrate content;" “Resident attitudes toward
characteristics of street tree plantings;” “The influence of various soil
amendments on the growth of green ash;” “The influence of landscape fabric
on the root growth of three ornamental shrubs”, "The significance of
methyl bromide as an atmospheric pollutant", and "The impact of
potential future salary on the selection of horticulture as a major by incoming
freshmen."
The information for the
presentation should come from a variety of sources, but must include referred
journals such as "Canadian
Journal of Forest Research," "Journal of Environmental
Horticulture", "Journal of Forestry",
"Landscape Journal", "HortScience", or “Journal of
Arboriculture”, as well as credible internet sources. The presentation
accounts for 50% (250 points) of the course grade.
All presentations must be ready for a
preview session on March 14
-
16. This
preview is an opportunity for you to practice your presentation in front of the
instructors. This will give you ample time to incorporate any suggestions before
your presentation to the class. The
preview accounts for 25% (125 points) of the course grade.
Abstract.
A one-page (typed, single-spaced, 12 pt. Font max.) abstract summarizing the main
points of your presentation is required. The abstract must the normal standards
of college-level writing (i.e., free
of spelling errors, use of proper sentence and paragraph structure and
punctuation). Attach an additional page listing the references from which you
derived the information for your presentation. The abstract/reference list
accounts for 5% of the course grade.
The
abstract is due March 23.
Critiques.
A written critique of at least one
seminar each week is required for a total of ten critiques. This means that
there will be one week for which you will have to prepare two critiques. The
critique should be one page, double-spaced,
must be typed (not larger than 12 pt. Font), is due at the beginning of class
the following week, should address the following questions, and must be written
in narrative form (in other words, do not simply list the questions below and
answer them).
1) What
aspect of the presentation was particularly effective, and why?
2)
What was the least effective aspect of the presentation, and why?
3)
How would you present this topic differently?
4)
How did the visual aids add to or detract from the presentation?
5)
How did the presentation impact your understanding of the subject?
Critiques
are expected to be free of grammar and spelling errors. Critiques with such
errors will be returned ungraded. Critiques may be resubmitted for a grade once
the grammar and spelling have been corrected. The
critiques will account for 20% of the course grade (i.e., each graded critique is worth up to 10 points). One point will
be deducted for each day the critique is late.
Total
points for the course = 500:
500-450
A
449-400 B
399-350 C
349-300 D
299
or less F
Academic
Dishonesty Policy:
It is unethical and unprofessional to present the work done
by others in a manner that indicates that the student is presenting the material
as his/her original ideas or work. Plagiarizing on class assignments will result
in written notification to the student(s) involved and to the Head of the
Horticulture, Forestry, Landscape and Parks Department, and a grade of zero
on the assignment. A repeated offense will result in a grade of F
for the course. Students have the right to appeal academic dishonesty decisions
made by the instructors of this course. Appeal procedures are outlined in the Student
Policy Manual which is available at the President's Office, each Dean's
Office, the Student Union, the Residence Halls and the Student Affairs Office.
Criteria
for Acceptable Performance: Presentation Preparation and Practice Session
A
112-125
Meets deadlines for topic selection and identification of information
resources. Topic conforms to written guidelines.
Preparation demonstrates ability to identify and access critical
information from credible sources. Practice session demonstrates proficiency in
the use of information technologies in the preparation and/or presentation of
the report.
B
100-111
Meets deadlines for topic selection and identification of information
resources. Topic generally conforms
to written guidelines. Preparation demonstrates ability to identify and access
information, however some information and/or sources may lack relevance or
credibility. Practice session demonstrates some proficiency in the use of
information technologies in the preparation and/or presentation of the report.
C
87-99
Fails to meet deadlines for topic selection and/or identification of
information resources. Topic conforms to some aspects of the written guidelines
but is too broad in scope. Preparation demonstrates limited ability to identify
and access information and/or limited ability to determine the credibility
and/or relevance of information and sources. Practice session demonstrates
limited proficiency in the use of information technologies in the preparation
and/or presentation of the report.
D
75-86
Fails to meet deadlines for topic selection and identification of
information resources. Topic has little conformity to the written guidelines.
Preparation demonstrates lack of effort and/or ability to identify and access
information and an inability to determine the relevance and/or credibility of
information and sources. Practice session demonstrates almost no proficiency in
the use of information technologies in the preparation and/or presentation of
the report.
F
<75
Fails to meet deadlines for topic selection and identification of
information resources. Topic does not conform with written guidelines.
Preparation demonstrates no effort and/or ability to identify and access
relevant and credible information. Practice session demonstrates no proficiency
in the use of information technologies in the preparation and/or presentation of
the report.
Criteria
for Acceptable Performance: Abstract
A
23-25
Consistently follows written guidelines for grammar, punctuation, form
and style. Organized, concise summary of topic. Synthesizes major concepts. Consistently references appropriate literature.
B
20-22
Frequently follows written guidelines for grammar, punctuation, form and
style. Somewhat organized and concise summary of the topic.
Identifies major concepts. Frequently
references appropriate literature.
C
17-19
Seldom follows written guidelines for grammar, punctuation, form and
style. Topic covered in random,
disjointed manner. Identification of major concepts is incomplete. Seldom
references appropriate literature.
D
15-16
Does not follow written guidelines for grammar, punctuation, form and
style. Topic randomly and insufficiently covered.
Major concepts not identified. Fails
to reference appropriate literature.
F
<15
Does not follow written guidelines for grammar, punctuation, form and
style. Topic not addressed. Fails
to reference literature.
Criteria for
Acceptable Performance: Presentation
B
200-224
The presentation shows an accurate grasp of the topic. It: (1) presents
important concepts and explains them with appropriate specifics and (2) shows
less detailed knowledge and less synthesis than the "A" presentation.
C
175-199
The presentation demonstrates an acceptable but commonplace understanding
of the topic. It: (1) presents important concepts but explains them with only
the most obvious specifics and (2) delineates only the most obvious
implications.
D
150-174
The presentation shows only limited understanding or a partial
misunderstanding of the topic. It:
(1) may use unimportant concepts or may explain important concepts or
their significance with little coherence or specificity and (2) may make a
number of serious factual errors.
F
149 or less The
presentation demonstrates little or no grasp of the topic.
It: (1) may significantly misstate facts or misinterpret them and
(2) may fail completely to justify the choice of concepts.
Last Update: January 9, 2001 by David F. Graper
Published by Horticulture, South Dakota State University
E-mail: peter_schaefer@sdstate.edu;
david_graper@sdstate.edu