Analysis of Scholarly Domains 021:254
James Elmborg, Assistant Professor
MW 1:00-2:15 M.W.
Office Hours: 3:00-4:30 T,W,Th
james-elmborg@uiowa.edu
http://mingo.info-science.uiowa.edu/~elmborg/domains

This is a class about knowledge and its organization and dissemination in the modern and postmodern university system. We will approach disciplines as one of the important constructs that give order to higher education, and we will endeavor to understand the workings of these disciplines using both quantitative and qualitative methods. The class will be divided into three parts. The first third of the course will explore the idea of disciplinarity from a broadly theoretical point of view. the second third of the class will be devoted to the specific disciplines and analysis of how they work. The final third of the class will be devoted to tools for the analysis of products of academic work, and what those products can tell us about the structures of the disciplines.

Goals:

• To become familiar with various ways of looking at disciplines and how they produce knowledge through specific disciplinary practices.
• To become familiar with the specific tools for the analysis of disciplinary discourse.
• To become a specialist in one academic discipline by applying various tools to a study of that discipline.

Expectations:
This is a small, seminar-style course. The readings are designed to encourage discussion, and while some lecture might occur, the bulk of the time in class will be spent discussing the readings. It is extremely important that you come each day having read the material carefully and actively. You should attend class ready to carry your share of responsibility for making the class interesting and engaged.

Grades:
The majority of the course grade will come from the major research paper due at the end of the course. This paper (20 pages in length) will synthsize the various approaches in the course in an examination of an academic discipline of the student's choosing.
Final Essay 75%
Class Participation (including occasional writing assignments, attendance, and discussion) 25%

Attendance
It is absolutely imperative that you attend class regularly. Very few excuses for missing class are acceptable. Excessive absences (more than three) will result in a reduction in the class participation grade for the course.

 Academic Honesty:   
Students in this class are expected to maintain the highest standards of academic honesty.   Cheating in any form is a serious matter and can affect your permanent record.  Plagiarism (using the words and/or ideas of another without attribution) is also cheating and is subject to th e same penalties.  All work submitted fo r the class should be done by you unless otherwise specified.  Do your own work on assignments, and exams, and do not provide unauthorized a ssistance to others, and you will not only uphold the ethical standards of the university community, you'll undoubtedly learn more.

Course Policies
This course is given by the Graduate College. This means that class policies on matters such as requirements, grading, and sanctions for academic dishonesty are governed by the Graduate College. Students wishing to add or drop this course after the official deadline must receive the approval of the Dean of the Graduate College. Details of the policies of the Graduate College can be found at

http://www.grad.uiowa.edu/Publications/PoliciesAndProcedures/

Texts:
Michel Foucault. The Archaeology of Knowledge.

The Parameters of Inquiry

Jan. 30- Feb. 1
Foucault, M. Archaelogy of Knowledge

Feb. 6-8
Foucault, M. Archaelogy of Knowledge, continued.

Feb. 13-15
Foucault, M. Archaelogy of Knowledge, continued.
Bruffee, K. "Anatomy of a Profession: The Authority of College and University Teachers" in Collaborative Learning:Higher Education, Interdependence, and the Authority of Knowledge. (coursebox)

Feb. 20-22
Davies, M. “On the Concept of an Ecology of Knowledge” in Breaking the Disciplines: Reconceptions in Knowledge, Art and Culture. (coursebox)

Chapman, H. "Becoming Academics: Challenging the Disciplinarians"in Breaking the Disciplines: Reconceptions in Knowledge, Art and Culture.
Knowledges (coursebox)

Feb. 27-Mar. 1
Becher, T. Academic Tribes and Territories

Mar. 6-8
Becher, T. Academic Tribes and Territories, continued

The Culture of Disciplines