CSCE 475/875

Seminar Assignment

September 8, 2011

Introduction

The objective of this assignment is to let every group (1) learn to present a paper well and (2) learn to participate in a seminar well. So it is more than a presentation. It is a seminar where you are required to ask good questions and answer questions well.

Setup

E-mail me to let me know the paper and the date that you want to present. Every group must present a different paper from the others. So, the sooner you let me know, the more likely you will get to present the paper that you want to present.

Grading

(1) 40% Summary of Paper

(2) 20% Organization (Time management, flow of presentation, poise, etc.)

(3) 20% Conclusions (Comparisons, insights, etc.)

(4) 20% Q&A and Participation

Dates (with two seminars per date):

November 22, 29, December 3, 8, and 10.

Papers

You are required to choose one of the papers from Handout 2 or another paper of your choice with my approval.

Requirements

Each group is required to give a presentation of close to but no more than 25 minutes (the talk itself). All members of the group must present roughly for the same amount of time. All members of a team receive the same score. (That means, you are required to work together to get your presentation well-oiled. Critique each other when you practice.)

During the 10-minute seminar (Q&A), all members are required to answer questions. If one of you answers no questions, the group will be penalized. I will also ask some questions.

Every group is required to ask at least two questions in each presentation (except for their own presentation).

Every group is required to give me an electronic copy of their presentation at least 3 hours before the class starts on the day of their seminar. So I can make copies for all students.

Important Deadlines

September 20, class time: You must choose a paper for your seminar before this date. If your chosen paper has been reserved by another team, then you will have to choose another one. Thus, please choose early to make sure you avoid not having a paper chosen before this deadline. Together with this deadline you are required to indicate your preference for your seminar presentation date (choose one of the five listed above). Again, it is first-come first-serve.

That also means that you must have your team formed before September 20. Since the first Game Day is September 22, it is the latest, feasible date.

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