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We will study epigenetic regulation of gene expression and how it affects cellular activity and animal behavior. Topics to discussed are epigenetic mechanisms of controlling gene expression such as histone modification, DNA modification, secondary structure of chromatin, CpG islands, non-coding RNAs, chromosome inactivation, and more. We will ask how such changes produces changes relevant to development, birth defects, vernalization (plants), mating-type switch (yeast), imprinting, addiction, stress responses, learning, stem cells and more.
Students will study all extant Wikipedia epigenetic articles. Students will identify articles that need updating with new information and figures. Some student groups will write new articles. This will be a semester-long writing project. Prior to making any changes to Wikipedia students will submit a proposal, write an outline with citations, and prepare at least three draft documents. Other student groups will act as editors and critics of the article. Wikipedia additions or articles must be completed by the end of term.
Students will use the WikiEdu resources to learn how to properly write and revise Wikipedia articles.
In class - Introduction to the Wikipedia assignment
Welcome to your Wikipedia assignment's course timeline. This page guides you through the steps you'll need to complete for your Wikipedia assignment, with links to training modules and your classmates' work spaces.
Your course has been assigned a Wikipedia Expert. You can reach them through the Get Help button at the top of this page.
Create an account and join this course page, using the enrollment link your instructor sent you. (Because of Wikipedia's technical restraints, you may receive a message that you cannot create an account. To resolve this, please try again off campus or the next day.)
Milestones
This week, everyone should have a Wikipedia account.
Week 2
Course meetings
Tuesday, 25 January 2022 | Thursday, 27 January 2022
Assignment - Evaluate Wikipedia
In class - Discussion
Week 3
Course meetings
Tuesday, 1 February 2022 | Thursday, 3 February 2022
Tuesday, 22 February 2022 | Thursday, 24 February 2022
In class - Post 1 page description of your idea for improving or writing a new article
Week 7
Course meetings
Tuesday, 1 March 2022 | Thursday, 3 March 2022
Milestones
Week 8
Course meetings
Tuesday, 8 March 2022 | Thursday, 10 March 2022
Assignment - Two page outline of Wikipedia Contribution with citations.
Assignment - Continue improving your article
Now's the time to revisit your text and refine your work. You may do more research and find missing information; rewrite the lead section to represent all major points; reorganize the text to communicate the information better; or add images and other media.
Week 9
Course meetings
Tuesday, 22 March 2022 | Thursday, 24 March 2022
Assignment - Peer review - Make notes on another's article.
Read and submit notes on other group's Wiki.
In class - First Draft of your improvement or article.
Week 10
Course meetings
Tuesday, 29 March 2022 | Thursday, 31 March 2022
In class - In class peer review of Wikipedia improvement or article.
Every student has finished reviewing their assigned articles, making sure that every article has been reviewed.
Week 11
Course meetings
Tuesday, 5 April 2022 | Thursday, 7 April 2022
In class - Draft 2 due
Week 12
Course meetings
Tuesday, 12 April 2022 | Thursday, 14 April 2022
In class - In-class presentation
In class - Peer review of Wikipedia improvement or article.
Assignment - Respond to your peer review
You probably have some feedback from other students and possibly other Wikipedians. Consider their suggestions, decide whether it makes your work more accurate and complete, and edit your draft to make those changes.
Reach out to your Wikipedia Expert if you have any questions.
Assignment - Polish your work
Continue to expand and improve your work, and format your article to match Wikipedia's tone and standards. Remember to contact your Wikipedia Expert at any time if you need further help!
Week 13
Course meetings
Tuesday, 19 April 2022 | Thursday, 21 April 2022
In class - Professor reviews your article.
In class - Revise as necessary.
Week 14
Course meetings
Tuesday, 26 April 2022 | Thursday, 28 April 2022
Week 15
Course meetings
Tuesday, 3 May 2022 | Thursday, 5 May 2022
Assignment - Final article
It's the final week to develop your article.
Read
Editing Wikipedia page 15 to review a final check-list before completing your assignment.
Don't forget that you can ask for help from your Wikipedia Expert at any time!
Assignment - Begin moving your work to Wikipedia
Now that you've improved your draft based on others' feedback, it's time to move your work live - to the "mainspace."