HUMN3099 CARIBBEAN STUDIES
Guidelines 2009/2010
IMPORTANT DEADLINES |
| Registration of Topic |
18 September 2009 |
| Amendments to Title |
22 January 2010 |
| Submission of Study |
15 May 2010 -
no later than 4:30 p.m. |
| Submission of Deferred Study |
31 July 2010 |
The HUMN3099 Caribbean Studies course is the final year research paper for students reading for the BA in French, History, Linguistics, Literatures in English or Spanish. Students are required to investigate some topic relating to the Caribbean, and to report the results in the form of a paper.
A. APPROVED ALTERNATIVE COURSES
Students in the following disciplines, with permission, may substitute the HUMN3099 Caribbean Studies paper as indicated:
FRENCH OR SPANISH: Students majoring in French and or Spanish and who have maintained a B+ average or above may submit a Translation, duly approved and supervised, in fulfilment of this requirement (see Guidelines for Translations on Page 14).
LITERATURES IN ENGLISH: Students in Literatures in English may opt to substitute two approved courses within the same discipline for their HUMN3099 Caribbean Studies: For example:
LITS3501 (E35A) - Advanced West Indian Literature A,
LITS3502 (E35B) - Advanced West Indian Literature B
LITS3601 (E36A) - African Literature I
LITS3602 (E36B) - African Literature II
LITS3304 (E33D) - Contemporary Critical Theory
Students electing to do two of the above-listed courses in place of HUMN3099, must select these courses when registering in their final year. Retroactive credit will not be given for Level II or Level III courses read at Level II in fulfilment of HUMN3099.
Students should indicate their intention of substituting the paper with an approved alternative by writing and submitting their letter to the Dean, Faculty of Humanities and Education.
B. DEADLINES FOR REGISTRATION AND REVISION OF TOPICS
Students are reminded that registration of topics must be done (in triplicate - on forms available at the Faculty Office) by 18 September 2009. Any amendments to the title must be approved by both the First and Second Examiners and must be made by 22 January 2010. Please note that at the time of registration, each final year student must also register online (each semester) for the research paper
C. SELECTION AND REGISTRATION OF TOPIC
Students are advised that since HUMN3099 counts for honours, the topic selected should normally pertain to the student's major academic discipline. Students pursuing a double Major or a heavy concentration in a discipline other than their Major may select a topic pertaining to any one of the academic disciplines in which their Faculty courses are located. (Double Majors are not required to produce two individual HUMN3099 studies).
1. Topics should be selected only after consultation with the Head of Department concerned. Only the Head of Department or the Co-ordinator (and not the Moderator of HUMN3099 Caribbean Studies nor anyone else) can approve a topic in the discipline taught by that Department. However, the Moderator of HUMN3099 Caribbean Studies can reject a topic for a good reason.
2. The Head of Department or the Co-ordinator is also responsible for appointing supervisors/markers of Caribbean Studies papers. Students, therefore, should NOT attempt to obtain signatures of supervisors/markers on their forms. After SECTION A of the form has been completed, all three copies should be returned to the Faculty Office. The forms will be forwarded to the Head of Department or the Co-ordinator who will appoint supervisors/markers and obtain signatures - even in cases where the second marker is not a member of that Department. The forms will then be forwarded to the Moderator of HUMN3099 Caribbean Studies for signature and each student can collect his/her other copy of the completed form from the Faculty Office early in November (check the Faculty notice board for notification of when you may collect your registration form).
Topic
The topic chosen for the Study, which must not be wholly identical with Faculty course-work undertaken by the student, must normally be chosen from the student's major area of study and must be approved by the Moderator of Caribbean Studies at the campus at which the student will register.
Proposal
An outline plan indicating the scope and organisation of the proposed study together with a bibliography or list of source materials, should normally be submitted when seeking this approval.
Approval
It is the responsibility of the student to register the topic of his/her study with the Faculty Office for formal approval by the Moderator no later than September 18, 2009. Changes to the title will be permitted up to January 22, 2010.
Requirements
The paper shall be not more than 9,000 words excluding bibliography, except with the permission of the supervisor and the moderator for Caribbean Studies, and must be of a quality appropriate to the work of an undergraduate in the final year of the degree course.
D. IMPORTANT DEADLINES
The deadline for the submission of the completed HUMN3099 research paper is May 15, 2010 and this should be submitted to the Faculty Office. Only in exceptional circumstances will a Paper be accepted after that date (see section on Extensions below).
FAILURE TO SUBMIT YOUR
STUDY BY THE DEADLINE IS
AN AUTOMATIC FAIL
E. EXTENSIONS
Requests for extensions for research projects undertaken as part of the final year requirements must be made in writing to the Dean, Faculty of Humanities and Education, at least three (3) weeks BEFORE the deadline date. The letter must state the reasons for the requested extension. Students must have the letter endorsed by their Supervisor before submitting it to the Faculty Office.
Students should note that extensions would only be granted in exceptional circumstances, such as illness, where such illness has precluded work on the project for an extended period of time, or in cases where there are severe difficulties in acquiring data such that the progress of the project may be significantly affected. In cases of illness, the request must be supported by a doctor’s certificate attesting to the same.
In cases where special difficulties in acquiring data have been reported, such difficulties must be clearly identified and must have been communicated to the Supervisor at least nine (9) weeks prior to the deadline date. Extensions will be granted up to a maximum of two weeks, except, where, at the discretion of the Dean, the circumstances merit other consideration.
F. DEFERRALS
Full-time students expecting to complete their degree at the end of the 2009/2010 academic year, and have been granted permission to take extra courses i.e. between 36 and 42 credits (12-14 courses including the study), in their final year, must register their research paper as ‘Deferred’. Students with Deferred studies are permitted to submit their paper not later than July 31, 2010.
The same applies to final year students who, as a result of having failed a course in Semester I, 2009/2010, need to gain 21 credits (7 courses) in Semester II, 2009/2010 to complete the degree.
G. FAILURES
1. Students who do not submit a paper by the deadline date for submission shall be deemed to have failed and must register as normal in the next academic year.
2. Students who, having duly submitted by the deadline date, and did not pass at the first attempt and wish to graduate without losing time may re-submit not later than the Friday, July 31, 2010, provided that all regulations governing Final Year Supplemental Examinations are observed.
3. Students who fail the Research Paper on the first attempt are allowed a total of four resubmissions within the period of two years. Any change in topic must be approved by and registered with the Moderator.
DEADLINES 2009/2010
| Registration of Topic (including deferred studies) |
September 15, 2009 |
| Amendments to Title |
January, 22 2010 |
| Request for Extension |
April 25, 2010 |
| Submission of Study |
May 15, 2010 no later than 4:30pm |
| Submission of Deferred Thesis |
July 31, 2010 |
Resubmission of Failed Thesis
(for Thesis submitted on 15 May 2010 or other approved date |
August 27, 2010 |
H. CORRECTIONS
All studies shall be marked as received. However, after marking, a study may be returned for correction of minor editorial/stylistic errors, for purposes of lodgement in the Library but not for remarking.
I. CONSULTING YOUR SUPERVISOR
Although the main advice concerning the academic worth and the feasibility of a topic will be received during discussion with the Head of Department, a student may still seek advice from potential supervisors concerning the scope or precise focus of the research to be undertaken. Other assistance which students can expect from their supervisors includes:
1. Guidance with regard to bibliography
Students may seek assistance from their Supervisors in identifying and, where genuine difficulties arise, securing the necessary bibliographical materials.
2. Guidance with regard to research techniques
Students must consult regularly with their Supervisor and adhere to any supervisory arrangements agreed between them. It is the student's responsibility to make their supervisors aware of the progress of the research and of methodological or other difficulties they are encountering in carrying out their research.
Where genuine difficulties arise, they may seek advice and request assistance from their supervisors in preparing specific documents such as questionnaires and multiple-choice tests. Guidance may also be sought with regard to appropriate methods of eliciting and recording oral information. Ultimately the collection and interpretation of data remain the responsibility of the student.
If you are experiencing problems contacting
your Supervisor, this should be reported to
the Faculty Office before the start of Semester II.
3. Guidance with regard to form, presentation and style of the Research Paper
Each student should submit a rough draft of each section of his/her paper to his/her supervisor for comment on it and advice as to how to improve its form and style of presentation. The final draft should be submitted to the Supervisor at least four weeks before the deadline for handing in the study to the Faculty Office, but students are advised to submit this paper even earlier to allow for any last minute alterations.
Ultimately, the composition of the paper is the responsibility of the student. Guidelines are set out below for the composition of the same.
J. COMPOSITION OF THE STUDY
1. The study should not be more than 9,000 words in length (excluding bibliography, tables, charts, graphs, appendices, maps, notes and references), except with the permission of the Supervisor and the Moderator for Caribbean Studies, and must be of a standard and quality consistent with that of final year undergraduate degree coursework. Students who fail to adhere to the guidelines concerning the length of their studies may be penalised.
2. It should preferably indicate some measure of originality either in its argument, conclusion and/or source material. However, evidence of extensive reading, clear comprehension of secondary materials used and a careful, well-planned presentation may compensate for lack of originality.
K. FORMAT AND PRESENTATION OF THE STUDY
1. Each study must be easily identifiable by a Title Page with the title of the paper, the name of the student, Faculty degree sought, and academic year of presentation.
FIGURE 1: SAMPLE TITLE PAGE
The Confrontation of Caribbean Reality - Woman’s Version:
An Analysis of the Writings and Performances of
Jacinth Henry-Martin and Jean ‘Binta’ Breeze
by
MICHELLE QUEELEY-ROBERTS
STUDENT ID # 0123456
THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES
FACULTY OF HUMANITIES AND EDUCATION
CAVE HILL CAMPUS
BARBADOS
Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for
The Degree of Bachelor of Arts Degree
MAY 2010
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2. Research Framework
Adopt a research framework (an ordering and organizing framework) in your paper, for instance:
i. Study Objectives - put a short introduction, state objectives of the paper. [Suggested completion: October]
ii. Literature survey (where necessary) - this involves selecting and putting together a part of literature on the topic which is relevant to the aims and objectives of the paper in a direct, as well as indirect way. [Suggested completion: December]
3. Analysis - presentation of materials, critical examination, tabular or graphical presentation, quantitative analysis, qualitative analysis, interpretation, inference, comparison, contrast, typing, empirical evidence to theoretical observation. Spend more time on this segment. [Suggested completion: March]
I. Findings - conclusions, recommendations, etc. [Suggested completion: April]
II. References - footnotes, endnotes and bibliography [record your bibliographical information as you go along]. (Pay close attention to Section G.2. of these Guidelines).
The study should have a well-arranged list of works cited, with author, title, date and place of publication clearly stated.
You may use two kinds of notes in the MLA parenthetical system:
• Content notes - these contain comments, explanations or information that you consider important, but which would otherwise interrupt the smooth flow of the text and divert the reader’s attention from the primary material.
• Bibliographic notes - use these to cite several sources or present evaluation comments or sources. E.g. For a discussion of the concept of Creoles, see Taylor R, Roberts P, Christie P, Alleyne and Holm.
Should your paper not fit this framework, you may write it using the conventional steps (introduction, description, conclusion, etc).
4. Our recommended reference for style and presentation is the MLA Handbook. Students may access a copy of the Student's Guidelines for the Preparation and Documentation of Essays on the Faculty website at http://www.cavehill.uwi.edu/fhe/hum/students/resources.htm
5. Presentation
All Caribbean Studies must be submitted in a typewritten format and presented as follows:
• use white 8.5" x 11" letter-size paper of a good quality (75g weight is good);
• text should be printed in black;
• each margin (top, bottom, left and right) should be no less than one inch;
• double space the body of the text (lengthy quotations, footnotes or endnotes and bibliography may be typed single spaced);
• each page should be printed single-sided;
• Use a plain serif (e.g. times roman) or sans serif (e.g. Arial) font in 12 point font size. Avoid cursive fonts.
6. Students are asked to submit two (2) copies of their final paper. The first copy may be bound (spiral, soft or hard), or presented in a sturdy cover. The second copy, if the student desires, need only be stapled. The second copy will be returned to the student. (Papers uncollected by August 15, 2010 will be discarded).
PLAIGIARISM IS A SERIOUS OFFENCE
AND RESULTS IN ZERO MARKS.
L. ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES
1. Read widely in the area of your research interest. Make notes while reading. Think and reflect. Formulate a few research questions to guide your work.
2. Plagiarism is a serious offence and results in 0 marks. The Faculty Handbook states:
“Failure to acknowledge your sources or imprecise documentation can result in invalid research or in plagiarism. Ideas are considered to belong to the person who first documents them; therefore, if you incorporate ideas or phrasing from an author in your work, whether quoted directly or used indirectly, you should be honest about your sources and indicate them fully. If you fail to do this you are guilty of plagiarism.” (Faculty Handbook, 2009/2010, pg 78)
Please see also University Examinations Regulations 73 and 79.
3. Should your choose a topic in which fieldwork is necessary, then you must be ready to do the fieldwork (establishing contact with agencies/personnel, getting there, keeping appointments, spending time there, observing, recording, interviewing, etc).
4. Time management is important.
Avoid putting off work, hesitating,
and being indecisive.
5. The fieldwork that you carry out on an organization/country of your choice is most likely to produce certain kinds of data and information. These should be used.
6. One may do a conceptual/theoretical paper in which fieldwork may not be essential.
7. Pay attention to grammar, spelling and sentence structure. Avoid verbosity.
8. Pay attention to composition, neatness, paragraphs, headings, subheadings and clarity.
9. Work on drafts where necessary. Pay attention to typing norms.
10. Be analytical and avoid superficial generalisations. Do not intertwine fact with value/view/opinion.
11. Make sure you keep a close eye on your research objects. Fulfil set objectives. It is easy to lose your way in the research maze.
12. Think through and put down clearly your conclusion/findings.
Besides plagiarism, over-use of quotations strung together like a string of pearls without intervening explanation, analysis, or original input from you, the author of the paper, is a practice which should be avoided. This problem can be alleviated somewhat by paraphrasing and summarizing to cut down on the number of direct quotations.” (Faculty of Humanities and Education, Essay writing Guidelines, pg 14).
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GUIDELINES FOR TRANSLATIONS AS A
HUMN3099 CARIBBEAN STUDIES ALTERNATIVE
FOR FRENCH AND SPANISH STUDENTS ONLY
Students majoring in French and/or Spanish, who have maintained a B+ average or above in the Level Two language courses or a B+ average or better in one or more Level Three translation courses in the relevant language, may submit a translation, duly approved and supervised, in fulfillment of this requirement.
Please note the following stipulations and guidelines:-
- No pre-existing published translation: The text to be translated should not have an existing published translation into the target language. The supervisor will perform checks to ensure that this rule is observed.
- Commentary: Students exercising this option must produce a Commentary as well as a translation (in practice, a few pages of Introduction and a Commentary in footnotes; hereafter "Commentary" includes Introduction and Commentary in footnotes).
- Length of Translation: The translation or Target Text (TT) plus Commentary must not exceed 9000 words (the source text (ST) is not included in the word count).
- Minimum Length of Commentary: The minimum proportion of Commentary to TT should be 15% Commentary vs 85% Target Text - i.e. Commentary minimum 1350 words vs 7650 words of TT if your study is exactly 9000 words long (it may be less).
- Format: The Source Text should be included both in a separate booklet, to facilitate comparison with the translation, and as an appendix bound in with the main submission. Same-page footnotes for the Commentary proper.
- Content: For examples of what introductory matter and commentary look like, see any of the translations in A Translation Manual for the Caribbean. The idea is to:
‒ In the Introduction, contextualize the translation by defining the discourse type, the particular issues of translation it raises and the function of the translation, amongst other things. The Introduction is for discussion of strategic issues - for example, foreignizing vs. domesticating approach; culture-bound elements; approach to proper names - that are pervasive throughout the text.
‒ In the Commentary, justify particular translation choices using footnotes. The Commentary is for local issues: translation dilemmas or matters that arise from the specific context of a given piece of discourse.
∙ Direction of translation and consultation: You may translate into or out of the foreign language. French or Spanish and English must be the language pair you use (no French into Spanish, for example). If you choose to do a translation from your mother tongue into the foreign language, you will not be expected to achieve as polished a result as into your language of habitual use. You may have a native speaker check your translation, but you are required to submit the version you have produced before doing so to the supervisor of your thesis, who will check with your consultant that this rule has been observed. You may then incorporate improvements into your translation as long as you identify these as the result of consultation and explain why they are an improvement in the Commentary.
∙ Choice of text: If possible, find a text that is varied, so that you are challenged to translate a number of discourse types. For example, a past student chose to translate into Spanish pages from the tourist website of St Vincent and the Grenadines, some of which were informative and historical (position of adjectives, past tenses), others of which were persuasive and consumer-oriented (imperatives, vocative forms).
For further advice, consult with translation lecturers:
FRENCH: Dr Bernadette Farquhar, Room A11
bernadette.farquhar@cavehill.uwi.edu or
Tel: 417-4396
SPANISH: Dr Ian Craig, Room A8
ian.craig@cavehill.uwi.edu
Tel: 417-4393
