Section outline


    • Announcements Forum
    • CHESTER EVENTS & ACTIVITIES Forum
    • Seminar Description, Purpose and Goals Page
    • ChesterSemester Team Page
    • Seminar Expectations Page
    • Assignments Page
    • Resources Page
      The Writing Center (Trotter 120) is available to you as an additional out-of-class resource for developing any aspect of your writing—from brainstorming a topic, organizing a draft, to polishing a final submission. Writing Associates hold conferences in-person or through Zoom and will offer you a thoughtful reading of your document, from any discipline, and talk with you about next steps. Speaking Associates can also help you prepare to give a presentation or lead seminar discussion. The Center is open Sunday through Thursday evenings, with afternoon hours on Monday through Wednesday, starting the third week of classes. To set up your WCOnline account and schedule an appointment, follow this link: bit.ly/swatwritingcenter or use the QR code provided. (Step-by-step instructions here: How to Schedule a Writing Conference.) You can also drop in during open hours. Want to know who is working when? See the Writing Center Schedule. Questions? Check the Writing Center Policies or email writing@swarthmore.edu.
    • Internship Placements Page
    • ACT 153 Clearance Instructions Page
    • Accommodation Statement Page
    • Seminar Zoom Link URL
    • Final Assignment: Oral Presentation & Research Paper

      The Final Assignment for this course is a two-part Oral Presentation (Part 1: in-class on Tuesday, December 10, 2024 and Part 2: in early May, 2025) and a Final Research Paper (Due: Wednesday, Dec 18, 2024).

      Oral Presentation
      Part 1 of the oral presentation is a brief presentation (5-7 minutes) on your learning, internship experience, reflections, and fellowship take-aways for the Fall 2024 semester. You are asked to create slides for your December 10 oral presentation and to upload them to a course Google Drive (instructions forthcoming) by December 5.  
      Some tips:

      • Use Google Slides instead of PowerPoint.
      • SlidesGo is a great source for free templates to use.
      • We recommend more visuals and less words on your slides if possible. Please include an introduction slide.

      Part 2 of the oral presentation is a brief public presentation (5-7 minutes) on your learning, internship experience, reflections, and fellowship take-aways for the entire (Fall 2024 and Spring 2025) academic year. Final public presentations will take place in early May 2025 at a location TBD. Invitations to attend will be extended to prospective Fall '25 ChesterSemester Fellows, Lang Center staff, Chester partners, select faculty members, etc.

      Research Paper (Due: Wednesday, Dec 18th)

      In this research paper students are asked to critically analyze an issue of their choosing that has relevance to the ChesterSemester course (i.e., course topics, themes, community engagement issues and experiences working with your Chester-based organization). The assignment calls for a research-based essay that critically analyzes complex issues, past responses to such issues, and contemporary solutions. It is designed to help readers understand a particular problem, how past responses to this problem have worked or not, and the value of a proposed set of steps toward addressing the problem in real time. The research paper should integrate both critical analysis and solutions mapping – a skill set that will serve professional development as a ChesterSemester fellow.

      The Research Paper should be approximately 8-9 single-spaced pages (including notes and bibliography). Structure your paper with an introductory thesis, a development of your thesis in the paper’s main body and concluding recommendations at the end of your paper. Carefully proof-read your work. 

      Use the following to organize and structure your paper:

      • Abstract: single paragraph overview
      • Key words: list 7-9 keywords that underlie your analysis; this should go under the abstract paragraph
      • Introduction: approximately ½ page summary of your paper’s major points of analysis and overall contribution
      • Challenges: approximately 2-3 pages of your analysis of (1) civic challenges you set out to address as a fellow this term, and (2) past or current gaps you perceive in addressing these challenges. What is happening on the ground you find most troubling? What is missing in collective approaches to addressing this troubling situation?
      • Case study: approximately 2-3 pages of thick description of the particular issues you are investigating. Oftentimes students shift into a different mode of discourse in this section. Consider writing autobiographically or ethnographically in this section, using your weekly reflection postings.
      • Recommendations: approximately 2-3 pages of proposed solutions to the challenges you’ve identified. What models and resources do you think are positively addressing – or could positively address – the challenges on which your paper has focused?
      • Bibliography: ½ page. Cite and list upwards of 7-9 or so bibliographical sources in your research; this list can include course readings and materials. Use whatever citation and bibliography style you prefer.

      ChesterSemester earns credit in both Environmental Studies and Black Studies. Use both of these areas of study to provide your paper's academic framing in order for readers to understand how you address the intersectional disadvantages and harms communities of color face in the wider society.

      Here are other resource recommendations:

      Please do not hesitate to contact any of us for guidance and support!