Situating the "Research Paper" Assignment in the IT Workplace

The "Research Paper" is a classic assignment in many IT courses. We explore its pedagogical advantages and weaknesses, especially since most students have career goals in the workplace rather than in academia. It is proposed that the research paper assignment be reformulated as a rhetorical case. This is a case-teaching device which is similar to, but distinct from the business case. We conclude by conceptualizing a simulated internship which can re-situate a broad range of IT "Research Papers" into the workplace. This work received support from the Mary and William G. Baker Faculty Fellowship.