Skip to main content

ULM Library

The Juniors will be taking a field trip to the ULM Library on Thursday! A bus will be here at around 9:00 to take us there. Bring money to eat on campus.

You all received a brief orientation in class, but I though I'd post some of the information here, as well. First, we are going to the library for two reasons: because it's a very nice, local, university library; and because they have JSTOR (for "journal storage"), which is a subscription database. I want to start with JSTOR because it is by far the best resource I've found for full-text scholarly articles on literature.

A distinction needs to be clear regarding the difference between "popular" and "scholarly" periodicals:
  • Popular periodicals (i.e. Newsweek) focus on a variety of topics and give general information and editorial comments; they are published frequently, and although they are reliable sources, it's hard to find information for a literature paper, unless your thesis ties the work to something in popular culture
  • Scholarly periodicals focus on a particular area of scholarly interest; they are peer-reviewed, and they are published less frequently (i.e. quarterly)
We will be using a mixture of the two types of sources, but the majority of your articles are required to be from scholarly publications. As noted, JSTOR is an excellent source for those articles. JSTOR is only available through the Louisiana State Library system; therefore, we can only access this database IN the library. You'll find articles there that you can email home to yourself.

The link for JSTOR is conveniently linked on the library's home page. Of course, there are also several other useful databases available, as well as the entire university catalog. We'll talk about InfoTrac and EBSCO on Friday.

Popular posts from this blog

Gun Control Debate

In light of recent mass shootings , some have argued that we need stricter laws regarding the sale and ownership of guns and ammunition, while others believe that the current laws are sufficient or too restrictive, some arguing for less regulation.   The debate centers around the second amendment and its interpretation: THE SECOND AMENDMENT A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.   What is your opinion? Consider our discussion of the language of the amendment itself, along with issues such as the assault weapons ban, open carry laws, licensing, and background checks. What amount of "gun control" is necessary, if any, to ensure public safety? You were supposed to bring a relevant article to class on Thursday. In addition, you might also want to look at the following links discussed in class: NRA President Wayne LaPierre's response to the Newtown traged...
Read more

Seniors ~ Three (Small) Writing Assignments

As you work on your memory books this week and next, you should also be working on the end-of-year writing assignments.  I've given you a handout (if you were on class): A letter to your future self -- imagine yourself four years from now...where will you be, and what will you be doing?  Is it what you planned?  What do you hope to remember about NOW?  What's important?  Address your future self in a letter (standard form), and enclose it in a self-address envelope.  I won't read it, but I do need to know you've done it, so don't seal it. A reflective paragraph that will serve as the introduction to your memory book.  What is your overall impression of your high school years?  What do you want to remember most? Finally, write a poem about your senior class.  The form and tone of the poem is up to you: funny, serious or sad; rhyming couplets, ballad, or free verse.  However you write it, though, please take it seriously.  A copy of this poem should go in your memory ...
Read more

Homework

Seniors We are discussing the latest in robotics technologies this week. Typically, we tend to merge the fields of robotics and artificial intelligence, but I'd like to start with the ways we have already integrated robotics into our world before we move on to advanced software. The results are staggering. Generally speaking, we are investigating some of the ways we are using robotics to make our lives easier and more productive.  I would like you to think about what differentiates "machines" from "robots" as we use the terms. Also consider Asimov's three laws of robotics as it applies to these devices. Finally, in what ways might robotics be used in the near future?  You might focus your research in one of the following general categories: Domestic - Cleaning , Personal Health, and Comfort Industrial - Health , Production, Delivery , Service, and Maintenance Military - Military Strikes, Law and Order, Exploration , Defense, Aide Below is a chart w...
Read more