I. Class Presentation
Research and analyze an assigned source from the syllabus. Your class presentation is an opportunity for you to practice your communication skills. It should also demonstrate your ability to design an argument based on your close analysis of the text assigned for the day’s discussion. Present your breakdown orally based on the below explained prompts (8-10 minutes). You are welcome to use slides, images, sound, or text to help visualize and engage the class.
. What are the central ideas of this writer, poet, thinker, filmmaker, or artist?
. Analyze one specific section by your chosen author that best communicates what you identified in the question above.
. Discuss how the structure of the text or film enhances the conceptual goals of the author or filmmaker.
. Can you establish any analogy/relationship between what the author says or what the filmmaker presents and your personal experience? If this is not the case, can you establish any relationship to other works that you have read/heard/seen (books, comics, plays, paintings, photographs, podcasts, music, movies, series, documentaries, etc.)?
*Ideally all presentations will be group presentations, however, there is openness for individual presentations in case you prefer or need to work by yourself. After the presentation, you will respond to a post-presentation Q& A with the professor and classmates.*
II & III. Midterm and final projects
You may consider the following three options for your midterm and final project:
Option 1: Argumentative essay
Instructions:
. Select one of the research questions developed collaboratively.
. Write an introduction in which you present the author(s) and text(s) to be discussed, your chosen research question, and your thesis statement (your main argument and answer to the question).
. Develop at least three body paragraphs presenting supporting evidence from the primary source(s). You may also use secondary sources that you find during your research.
. Write a conclusion in which you wrap up your discussion on the author(s) and text(s), summarize your argument(s), and finish with a personal statement.
(4-5 Pages/Double Space/ Times New Roman/ Font size: 12)
Option 2: A podcast episode
Instructions
. Select one of the research questions developed collaboratively.
. Record a podcast (10-12 minutes) using the following template:
. Present the author(s) and text(s) to be discussed, your chosen research question, and your thesis statement (your main argument and answer to the question).
. Develop at least three sections presenting supporting evidence from the primary source(s). You may also use secondary sources that you find during your research.
. Wrap up your discussion on the author(s) and text(s), summarize your argument(s), and finish with a personal statement.
Sample Projects:
Option 3: Creative writing project
Instructions:
.Consider one of the research questions developed collaboratively.
.Respond to the selected source and question through a short story, a short poetry collection, or a script (2-3 pages). Remember to: identify and match the central concerns of the selected source; present your piece as an artistic interaction; refer to or underscore specific sections or your chosen source.
.In a reflective essay (2 pages) describe your creative process. Reflect on what you have learned from your chosen work. Discuss how your creative writing piece integrates, interacts with, and/or replies to the main ideas presented by the primary source. How has this exercise helped you integrate past experiences into your sense of identity and/or worldview?
Option 4: Social media project
Instructions
. Select one of the research questions developed collaboratively.
. Create a social media project (a Twitter thread; an annotated playlist; a series of Instagram photos or a video with captions; a TikTok or YouTube video; etc.) using the following template with flexibility. Creative posts could have a different structure, but you should include in some way the major prompts.
. Present the author(s) and text(s) to be discussed, your chosen research question, and your thesis statement (your main argument and answer to the question).
Develop at least three sections presenting supporting evidence from the primary source(s).
. Wrap up your discussion on the author(s) and text(s), summarize your argument(s), and finish with a personal statement.
*A podcast or social media project has a more informal tone than an essay. It is a project that could let you own the material. If you have other ideas that could go beyond the referred template, please brainstorm with me. *
Sample Projects:
