Document Type

Assignment

Publication Date

6-2018

Abstract

This assigment was developed in the context of LaGuardia’s Center for Teaching and Learning sponsored Learning Matters mini grant “Connection Between First Year Seminar and Capstone Learning Experiences.” It provides Liberal Arts experience to students across the academic spectrum and is designed for students in LMF 101 (First-Year Seminar for Liberal Arts: Math & Science) and is conducted in conjunction with students from a capstone course, LIB 200 (Science, Technology, and Humanism). The assignment aligns with the Inquiry and Problem-Solving Core Competency and the Written Ability. In this assignment, LMF 101 students research and read several articles centered on the topic of Women in STEM. They then write an essay that integrates the information from these sources to address the history, biases, and potential causes of the underrepresentation of Women in STEM. LIB 200 students peer review these essays, and LMF 101 students, in turn, respond to these peer reviews. The assignment concludes with a combined class discussion on the topic and the process. The overall goals for this assignment which also reflect the dimensions of the Inquiry and Problem Solving Core Competency and the Written Communication Ability rubrics are the following:

  1. Students will utilize the appropriate library search engines to find a resource relevant to a particular topic.
  2. Students will analyze and integrate evidence from multiple sources on a complicated topic, and they will use the evidence they gathered to answer questions and arrive at logical conclusions.
  3. Students will assess the reliability of data and/or claims made in the literature.
  4. Students will cite sources appropriately.
  5. Students will understand the importance of peer review, understand how constructive criticism can help improve scholarly work, and learn how to respond to feedback in ways to improve the outcome of their work.

LaGuardia’s Core Competencies and Communication Abilities

Main Course Learning Objectives:

LMF 101 Course Goals Associated with Assignment:

  • Demonstrate understanding of habits of mind essential to college success (e.g., persistence, flexibility, and metacognition) and foundational knowledge in mathematics and science.
  • Interpret the values and ethics of mathematics and science and discuss how these values and ethics directly influence personal, academic, and professional success in their careers.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the structure and logic of technical writing; show a basic level of proficiency in the fundamental writing, reading and speaking skills necessary to deliver information in a contextual and coherent manner.
  • Demonstrate the use of skills and knowledge gained from diverse experiences to enhance learning and success.
  • Describe the diversity of LaGuardia Community College and demonstrate capacities to collaborate across differences in culture and perspective.

LIB 200 Course Goals Associated with Assignment

  • Identify the terminology and concepts central to the field of gender and women’s studies students.
  • Identify and understand the challenges and the historical frame of the underrepresentation of women across STEM fields.
  • Research and value the contributions of women to STEM fields.
  • Examine and interpret material using the theory and research methods of gender and women’s studies and apply these ideas to current social issues.
  • Present ideas concerning gender and women's studies in spoken and written presentations.

Comments

This resource is part of the Learning Matters Assignment Library.

This resource is part of the First Year Seminar Curricular Resources.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 License.

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