Lesson Report:
### **Lesson Summary Report**
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#### **Title**: Refining Proposals: Key Terminology, Literature Reviews, and Final Assignment Preparation
**Synopsis**:
This lesson focused on refining key elements of students’ research proposals as they move toward their final thesis submissions. Emphasis was placed on identifying vague terminology, improving literature reviews, and understanding the structural and methodological expectations of their final assignments. The goal was to enhance clarity, organization, and progression in writing and methodology while ensuring students develop the skills to expand their proposals into comprehensive final papers.
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#### **Attendance**:
– **Number of Students Absent**: 1 (No response from *Masiha* after roll call).
– (Class size was approximately 17 students based on roll call; this includes a few remote attendees.)
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#### **Topics Covered**:
1. **Overview & Objectives of the Session**
– Instructor began by congratulating students on completing their midterm proposals and presentations.
– Clarified that the proposals are foundational work for final assignments and progress would be incremental from here forward.
– Common errors in proposals highlighted:
– Lack of methodology sections (due to rubric and instructions discrepancy).
– Lack of precise definitions for key terminology.
– Isolated and unstructured literature reviews instead of holistic thematic discussions.
2. **Final Assignment Overview**
– **Structure of Final Submission**:
– Written final (5500-6500 words): to be graded by individual supervisors.
– Video presentation (10 minutes): to be submitted and graded by the instructor.
– **Components of Final Paper**:
– Full Introduction: Includes solid research question, hypothesis, and a narrative hook.
– First Chapter:
– Significance of Research.
– Literature Review (minimum 10 sources, double the 5 required in midterm).
– Theoretical Framework and Methodology: In-depth theoretical argumentation with references to foundational texts and clear operational definitions.
– Historical Background: Explicitly linked to the research question.
– **Abstract** (150-200 words): To be finalized after all major sections are complete.
– Timeline: Final submission deadline is **December 18th** with presentations due **December 20th**.
3. **Improving Literature Reviews**
– Key Issue: Students summarized individual texts rather than organizing sources thematically or integrating them into a broader discussion.
– Recommendations:
– Begin revising literature reviews immediately and include direct quotations.
– Ensure all cited theories reference the original texts rather than simplified summaries.
– Incremental Approach: Students were encouraged to break the final paper into manageable components (e.g., start with the literature review, then methodology).
4. **Defining Key Terms – Activity**
– **Objective**: Help students identify and operationalize vague terminology in their research questions and proposals for clarity and precision.
– **Example**:
– Sample Research Question: *“How does media influence German politics?â€�*
– Undefined terms like *influence*, *media*, and *politics* were analyzed and refined.
– Key point: Always define verbs and operative terms (e.g., types of media, specific political spheres).
– **Instructions for Activity**:
– Students paired up (remote students instructed to collaborate online with classmates if possible).
– Partners exchanged proposals and identified at least five vague or undefined key terms.
– Groups then discussed their findings together for refinement.
5. **Next Steps and Assignments**
– Following break, students were to transition into final parts of the key-terms activity:
– Operationalizing terms identified by their partner.
– Sharing revised definitions with the class for peer feedback.
– Upcoming Focus: The next lesson will delve deeper into theoretical frameworks and methodologies, segmenting the work to ensure step-by-step clarity.
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#### **Actionable Items**:
**Urgent**:
– Instructor to revise proposal grades due to miscommunication about the methodology section rubric (reducing its weight from 20% to 10%).
**For Next Class**:
– Instructor to prepare materials and small exercises to help students strengthen theoretical frameworks and methodology sections.
– Students to:
– Begin revising literature reviews (expand to 10 sources).
– Clarify and operationalize key terms in their research questions.
– Prepare draft revisions for in-class feedback on theoretical frameworks next week.
**General Reminders**:
– Deadline for written final: **December 18th** (via eCourse).
– Presentation submissions: **December 20th** (via Google Drive).
– Students should connect with peers or classmates if any ongoing clarification is required regarding proposal or project feedback.
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This report ensures detailed coverage of the session while providing critical guidance to track progress toward the final project.
Homework Instructions:
NO HOMEWORK
The transcript does not explicitly assign any homework task. While it discusses the details of final assignments and ongoing activities in class, no specific homework instructions are given for students to complete outside of the classroom setting.