A lecture/seminar satisfying the second half of the Reading & Composition requirement, R4B offers structured and sustained practice in the processes used in reading, critical analysis, and writing. Students engage with thematically-related materials from a range of genres and media. In response, they craft short pieces leading to longer expository and/or argumentative essays. Students develop a research question, draft a research essay, gather, evaluate, and synthesize information from various sources. Elements of the research process--a proposal, an annotated bibliography, an abstract, a works cited list, etc.--are submitted with the final report in a research portfolio. Students write a minimum of 32 pages of prose.

This class explores crucial questions about health care, medicine, and social inequality in the U.S. Students will research (a) cultural differences in the experiences of illness and practices of healthcare and (b) biases and disparities in access created by social, political, and economic forces. Students will also conduct their own fieldwork, examining in-depth local agencies that work toward lessening disparities and thus toward social change. The final project will ask students to view a particular issue of their choice through the theoretical lenses provided by course texts -- and perhaps make recommendations for addressing it. Through a combination of small-class discussion, in-class workshops, as well as online forums, students will craft papers that analyze and apply information from course texts; gather primary and secondary outside sources on a topic related to our course theme; and create a research portfolio including an annotated bibliography, short reports, research notes, a project proposal, and a final paper.

This section welcomes multilingual and international students.

Requisites

• Previously passed an R_A course with a letter grade of C- or better. Previously passed an articulated R_A course with a letter grade of C- or better. Score a 4 on the Advanced Placement Exam in English Literature and Composition. Score a 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement Exam in English Language and Composition. Score of 5, 6, or 7 on the International Baccalaureate Higher Level Examination in English.

Repeat Rules

Course is not repeatable for credit.

Requirements class fulfills