Belmont University

HIS 3015.01
Junior Cornerstone Seminar: Historical Documentary Filmmaking; Undergraduate Research
Spring 2010
[3:30-4:45 T TH, INMAN 341, 3 credit hours]
Prerequisites for the course: Junior Standing

Instructor: Angela Smith

angela.smith@belmont.edu
Office Location: 2nd floor Gabhart; inside the vision office-office number 203-A
(there is a sign on the door: “Online Vision”)
Office Hours: 1-3 T Th, and by appt.

Course Description:
The Junior Cornerstone Seminar, for students who are midway through university study, is designed
to challenge them to apply multiple disciplines to an overarching problem or question through
active and engaged investigation. Cornerstones also are collaborative; students will work together
to pursue answers to a problem and also draw conclusions from these experiences. A unique
feature of the course is its emphasis on Problem-Based Learning, defined as:

“. . . an instructional method whereby students collaborate with each other in activating prior
knowledge, constructing new knowledge, and in developing a plan for further study.”

By definition, Junior Cornerstone Seminars carry Experiential Learning credit in one of the following
categories: undergraduate research, community-based research, service learning, or study abroad.

Through engaged learning and collaboration, students will:

· Apply knowledge by conducting active, “hands-on” investigation.
· Recognize the ways in which a variety of disciplines and perspectives may come together to
arrive at solutions to problems.
· Gain experience working as part of a team and to develop an appreciation for the
importance of collaboration.
· Sharpen research and writing skills.
· Develop quantitative and critical reasoning skills and apply these skills to the problem at
hand.
· Become a more effective communicator through the presentation of results to the broader
public.

Historical Documentary Filmmaking implements these objectives by requiring students to work in

groups to discover an assigned local historical narrative and communicate their findings in a video
presentation. Students will conduct research to find facts and artifacts, interview participants and
experts relevant to the research, and then assemble a narrative documentary to communicate the
story to the public.

Course Expectations
This course emulates the environment of a workplace; thus, there are both individual and group
expectations that you should aspire to meet. These expectations are outlined below.

1. Self-directed learning/knowledge: As a group member you will

· articulate mechanisms (key points) at appropriate depth
· apply knowledge to the problem
· demonstrate knowledge of significant and relevant content areas
· distinguish between reliable/unreliable sources and cite sources where appropriate
· come consistently prepared to address the problem

2. Reasoning: As your group works through problems, you will develop the ability to
· generate hypotheses and consider a broad range of hypotheses relevant to the
problem
 · recognize the possibility of multiple causes and/or solutions to the problem.
· revise hypotheses or proposed solutions when new evidence disconfirms existing
assumptions and knowledge (avoid becoming “anchored”).
· effectively synthesize existing and new knowledge
· justify conclusions

3. Group/Interpersonal Skills: In order to function effectively as a group member, you will

be expected to
· contribute appropriately
· exhibit professional behavior
· provide quality, constructive feedback
· accept and act on feedback provided from instructor and peers
· share group tasks
· effectively prepare and present the findings of your work to a larger audience
(outside of the classroom).

Attendance: There is no penalty for up to two unexcused absences. There is a discretionary letter
grade penalty for every absence beyond two absences. A student may be dropped with a failing
grade if he/she is absent for more than six classes periods.

Texts: Readings will be provided throughout the semester via PDF documents posted on the class
website. There are no required texts for the class.

Policy for Late Work/Absences from Exams or Assignments: Late assignments will not be accepted
after the due date without permission from the instructor.

Graded Assignments: Class due dates:

Group Research /Film: 30% Feb. 25 Topic paper due
Public Presentation 10% Feb. 25, March 25, April 27 Peer Review Days
Group Participation 30% March 4 Mid-term
Quizzes/daily/attendence 20% March 4 Documentary Treatment Due
Mid-term 10% April 6 Rough cut
Research Paper 10% April 29 Final cut
May 10 Final essay due
May 3 10 am Public showing and presentation

The group participation grade is determined by peer and instructor evaluations. Each student will
evaluate each member of their group at the end of the semester and assign a grade based on
specific criteria.

Reading assignments and quizzes will be assigned throughout the semester based on the direction
of the research.

University Policies:
Honor Code
The Belmont community values personal integrity and academic honesty as the foundation of
university life and the cornerstone of a premiere educational experience. Our community believes
trust among its members is essential for both scholarship and effective interactions and operations
of the university. As members of the Belmont community, students, faculty, staff, and
administrators are all responsible for ensuring that their experiences will be free of behaviors which
compromise this value. In order to uphold academic integrity, the university has adopted an Honor
System. Students and faculty will work together to establish the optimal conditions for honorable
academic work. Following is the Student Honor Pledge that guides academic behavior:

“I will not give or receive aid during examinations; I will not give or receive false or impermissible
aid in course work, I the preparation of reports, or in any other type of work that is to be used by
the instructor as the basis of my grade; I will not engage in any form of academic fraud.
Furthermore, I will uphold my responsibility to see to it that others abide by the spirit and letter of
this Honor Pledge.”

Accommodation of Disabilities

In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, Belmont University will
provide reasonable accommodation of all medically documented disabilities. If you have a disability and would like the
university to provide reasonable accommodations of the disability during this course, please notify the Office of the Dean of
Students located in Beaman Student Life Center (460-6407) as soon as possible.

Course Evaluations
The university urges and expects all students enrolled in a Junior Cornerstone Seminar (HIS 3015)
to participate in all course evaluations, providing honest feedback to the instructor and institution
about the specific aspects and elements of the course.