Assignment 3: Media analysis project
(A3.1) Project brainstorm (1 slide)
Due: Oct 7 or 9 in class, add slide to shared deck (link TBD)
Add a slide to the shared deck with no more than 3 short ideas on what you would like to research for your final project (1–3 sentences per idea). Be prepared to speak for ~3 minutes and answer questions.
(A3.2) Project proposal and annotated bibliography (1000 words)
Due: 9 am on Oct 23 → submit to Canvas.
Project proposal (600 words)
- Introduce the object of study (phenomenon, controversy, system, etc). What is it? Why does it matter? Why should you (or we) care?
- State the research question: what is the fundamental thing you are trying to learn by pursuing it?
- Outline plan to complete project: how will you break up the project into manageable chunks? What kinds of research will you need to do? How will you get it done in time? What kind of assistance will you need?
Annotated bibliography (400 words): Select at least 7 sources that you will use in the final project and write a few bullet points or sentences about each source and how they interact with the others. Write one synthesis paragraph at the top about what you found, what you still need, and what your gaps are.
(A3.3) Research progress meeting (30 min)
Due: Sign up for a slot between Oct 28–Nov 6 (booking link TBD).
Between weeks 8 and 9, sign up for a progress meeting with me online. We will discuss your project proposal, annotated bibliography, and how the themes or readings in class relate to your final project.
(A3.4) First draft (at least 2000 words)
Due: 9 am, Nov 13 → Submit to Canvas.
Submit the written first draft of your final project.
(A3.5) Peer review (oral)
Due: in class on Nov 13 or 18 (date assigned in advance)
In class, you will present the first draft of the oral portions of the final assignment. If you are doing the video draft, then you should have no more than ~4.5 min of footage; if you are doing PechaKucha, you should be able to cover ~5 min of material). In addition to presenting your own work, you will be assigned to critique 2 of your colleagues’ work verbally after they finish their presentations. What does their project do well? What could be improved?
(A3.6) Two peer review memos (written, 350 words each)
Due: 9 am, Nov 25 → Submit to Canvas.
You will be assigned 2 different colleagues’ work to evaluate. After reading their project proposal, annotated bibliography, and first draft, and oral presentation, write a memo for each person with the following components: (1) what is the project’s core argument? (2) What were its major strengths and weaknesses? (3) Name at least 2 tangible ways for the author to improve their paper / project. You may not upload your colleagues’ work into any AI model of any kind.
(A3.7) Personal review (at least 350 words)
Due: 9 am, Dec 4 → Submit to Canvas.
Use AI as an editor or critic. What will you change based on the comments? Send full conversation and short reflection. (If you use AI in any way on the final draft, you must complete this version of the assignment.) For conscientious objectors: respond to your peer review. What will you change or not change? Submit this with your final draft.
(A3.8) Written final draft (at least 2500 words)
Due: 9 am, Dec 4 → Submit to Canvas.
It’s time! The pie’s baked! The cake’s frosted! Have some extra dessert to celebrate finishing a big project 🍪
(A3.9) Oral presentation (5 minute video or PechaKucha)
Due: in class on Dec 4 or 9 (date assigned in advance)
Present your final project in the form of a video (5 minutes) or PechaKucha (20 slides, 20 seconds per slide). For either format, there should be no AI voices, video, or images. For a sample PechaKucha, watch this presentation on typography.