CHESS Conference Assignment Ideas for Faculty
The Graduate Assistants recommend the faculty encourage their students to attend the CHESS Conference so they can get a glimpse into the world of the academic conference in a familiar setting.
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Should you decide to make their attendance to the conference a mandatory part of the class or if you want to offer an extra credit assignment for their attendance, here are two assignment sheet options for you to use. Feel free to edit them to suit your own classroom needs.
Assignment Sheet One: Argument Based
Important Dates:
2/16: CHESS Conference. Nash Library
2/19: Essay Due by 11:59pm on Blackboard (submitted as .pdf, .doc, .docx)
Conferences serve as a chance for scholars to present on their original research in an open forum, allowing for those listening to ask questions, test the argument being made and engage in learning new ideas about old topics. Conferences typically have themes and the panels are grouped together based on their interpretations of the theme. This year Gannon’s CHESS Conference theme is Coming Together to Survive and Thrive and each panel has been organized based on the topic of their work. Certain panels may address philosophy, literature, education, leadership, politics and more.
For this assignment you will be attending a one hour panel of your choice at Gannon’s CHESS Conference and writing a reflection/analysis of one speaker’s argument. Keep in mind that during that one hour, three people will likely be speaking about three different pieces of work—you only have to write about one.
In a 500-600 word response, please answer the following questions about one speaker’s presentation.
The questions you will be answering are:
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Why did you pick this panel?
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Which speaker’s argument will you be addressing and what was their argument? (Or, what was the thesis of their work---feel free to paraphrase)
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What methods did the speaker use to defend their argument and do you think they were effective?
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How did the topic relate to Transformation and Renewal?
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What is something new you learned?
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What is one question you have?
Reminders:
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Show up early for your panel. Do not interrupt a speaker to enter the room late.
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Make sure you sign in at the registration table.
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You do not have to dress up, but look presentable. No sweatpants/pajama bottoms. Gannon Gear is always appropriate at these events.
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Take notes during the presentation. You WILL forget and it WILL be difficult to write this essay.
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Created By Jeanette Long, 2017
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Assignment Sheet Two: Reflection Based
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Due Monday, February 19 by 11:59 pm in the Blackboard Drop Box
Worth: 30 Points
Requirements: 500-600 Words (two pages)
Proper Heading, Title
Double Spaced
12 Point Times New Roman or 11 Point Calibri Font
Grammatically Correct
Assignment:
You are required to attend at least two panels at the 2017 CHESS Conference on February 17th (The schedule is on the back and there will be a sign-in sheet at the event). The theme of this year’s conference is Coming Together to Survive and Thrive, and presenters from Gannon and other universities will be presenting on this theme—myself included! The panels vary in theme from creative pieces, dances, history presentations, climate change, and so much more.
After you attend your two panels, you will write about a two-page reflection, in which you will discuss some of the following:
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the two panels you attended, what were they about,
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what types of question were asked by the audience
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what you learned from the panels
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your responses to the panels (agree, disagree, that was so cool)
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and your overall experience at the conference
Reminders:
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Show up early for your panel. Do not interrupt a speaker to enter the room late.
-
Make sure you sign in at the registration table.
-
You do not have to dress up, but look presentable. No sweatpants/pajama bottoms. Gannon Gear is always appropriate at these events.
-
Take notes during the presentation. You WILL forget and it WILL be difficult to write this essay.
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Created by Taylor Roth, 2017
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