GW II 2850 Spring 2017 Instructor: Jeanne Stauffer-Merle
Final Project: 5-7 pages, double-spaced, Times/Times Roman 12pt.
Final Project: “Mapping the Journey” timeline:
April 4: Assignment sheet for Final Project
May 2: Thesis statement due (bring at least two versions).
May 16: Final Project due in class (hard copy, no email copies accepted).
Overall Intent: For this final project you will explore one “journey” model, and analyze its relevance to one of our texts, or, conversely, how the chosen text deviates from the chosen journey model, and you will show this both verbally and visually. Some models we have discussed in class, but others you will need to research. Models you might want to consider: Plato’s Allegory of the Cave; Aristotle’s Tragic Hero; the Minotaur’s Labyrinth; Campbell’s Heroic Journey; Freud’s ideas on the subconscious; the process of Surrealist artists; The Myth of Sisyphus, or the Five Stages of Grief. Please choose only one model, unless you are creating a model that is a hybrid of existing models (and you are certainly encouraged to play with this idea.) As well, you may find another model, or create your own model, either a hybrid or completely original. If you do create your own, please first send me a short description, or briefly discuss this with me before/after class.
You will then apply the model of your choice, both verbally and visually, to one of the texts we read this semester, and a text that you did not analyze for your first essay.
Your goal: Your goal is to decide on a SPECIFIC interpretation of a text in terms of the overall intent of the model of your choice, and discuss this both verbally and visually.
- Verbal Text: You will decide on a thesis and major points of development, which correspond to (in your opinion) journey points, along with a SHORT intro./conclusion. This will result in a 3-4 page essay.
- Visual Representation: You will then attach a 1-2 page visual representation (see below for ideas) that illustrates your chosen journey, and you will include, with your visual, a short paragraph on how this visual representation applies to your overall thesis, then label specific points on your visual that references journey points/major arguments, or, again, how how specific points of the text deviate from the journey model.
This representation can be in any form you like, but whatever visual form you choose, it must be a design not normally associated with your specific journal model. For example, the Heroic Journey is sometimes graphed as a spiral, so you would not be able to use a spiral for your visual representation of the Heroic Journey; for this journey model you would need to choose another visual representation.
Some visuals you might want to consider (a single straight line or simple circle is not acceptable):
a box; a labyrinth; a maze; a spiral; a tunnel; a cave; a graph; a geological map; a
mathematical equation; a diagram of a system (economic system;
digestion; decomposition; combustion; nuclear/solar reaction, etc.)
anatomical representation; or some other visual representation. These
are among a few, so please be creative! Use your own expertise and
interests, when choosing a visual representation of your journey model.
For example: If you were to choose “Aura” as you text and the Heroic Journey for your journey model, what visual form would this take? A graph? A cave? Decomposition?
Remember: The idea is NOT to simply match steps of the journey model to the text, and doing this will result in a very low grade. It is not the number of points you use, but the careful choice of specific points, and the depth to which you explore each point, both verbally and visually.
Secondary Sources: You will need two credible secondary sources, including one print and one digital, to deepen your exploration. You need to cite only once for each source, and you may cite more, but please do not overuse your secondary sources. A viable secondary source is a text that discusses, in a meaningful way, your thesis, which might well include a discussion of the cultural or literary milieu of the text.
Note: Be sure the author of the article/essay you are using is an authority in the field, so you might have to do a little research about the author.
Essay Breakdown:
Discussing the chosen model as a source (historical and literary relevance): ½ page.
If you are creating your own model, then you will need to discuss your influences.
Verbal analysis and interpretation of a text in reference to the model: 2 ½ -3 pages.
Visual representation of the journey: 1-2 pages.
You will be graded by the following criteria:
- A cogent analysis and interpretation of the text, which will necessarily include: A strong thesis statement; appropriate textual citations and evidence for your ideas; relevant use of secondary sources; proper use of MLA; correct grammar, sentence construction, and diction.
- The chosen model and how well you connect this to your thesis and major points.
- The choice of visual representation, and how well you connect this to your journey model and major points.