Elementary Music Methods and Materials

Guidelines for Research Projects

Preparation: Choose at least two sources on the assigned subject. These sources may be journal articles, chapters of books, reputable web sites, etc. Use more sources, if necessary or desirable. Become familiar enough with your subject that you can have a substantive discussion with an expert. Be prepared to make statements, interpret statements and ask questions about the subject.

In-Class Presentation: Come to class prepared to present a 3 minute summary of your findings on this subject. At the beginning of each seminar period several students will make a formal presentation to get the discussion started. Please come prepared to make a presentation each time. Presenters will not be announced ahead of time. If you are not selected, you will have plenty of time to share your materials as part of the discussion.

Written Documentation: This paper should be done in three parts - two to be completed before the class meeting (the seminar) and one to be completed after the seminar - and should be included in the final notebook.

Part I - About 1-2 pages summarizing the findings from your research. This should include information you plan to present during the seminar. The format of this section may be paragraphs or a set of bullets, and it must be easily understood by the reader.
Part II - Bibliography of your sources - in proper bibliographic form. (Insert immediately after Pat I. Do not print on a separate sheet.)
Part III - About one page to be written as a review of the seminar. This should summarize the discussions, focusing on ideas and materials not included in Part I of this document. (Insert immediately after Pat II.)

The format of your paper should include the following: standard font (ariel, Helvetica, etc.) 10 or 12 point type, double spaced text, proper form for bibliographic citations.

The heading of the paper should be single spaced, at the upper right corner of the first page and include the following information:

MUSC441
(the title of the seminar / paper)
(your name)

revised on 8/12/08