Assignment / Overview - Final Projects

Proposals due on website by Wednesday July 23 at 8pm
In-class discussion as needed on Thursday July 24 and Monday July 28
Projects must be posted to course website by Monday August 18, but earlier is better.

The final project will consist of a preliminary proposal -- two to four paragraphs with any supplementary material listed below -- that must be approved by the instructor. The final product itself will be uploaded to the course website. Proposals should be posted under the corresponding groups below: click on the link containing your name and then on "Post new Forum topic" to add your proposal. Once posted, you should comment on the other two proposals in your group. I will email you privately to give you my comments and approval.

I will post submission instructions for the final products once the proposals are in.

I encourage you to speak with me directly or send an email to discuss ideas for your proposal or suggest possible alternatives.

Group 1: Nicholai, Lisa, Rehana
Group 2: Norelia, Rachel, Ashley
Group 3: Courtney, Eugenia, Lori
Group 4: Maryanne, Roseanne, Klarisa
Group 5: Shawna, Christina, Wycliffe
Group 6: Charlene, Julie, Tanya
Group 7: Daniela, Cecilia, Hilda
Group 8: Elon, Eli, Maribel, Miriam

Research Paper (+/- 15 pages [12 minimum]) on a topic of your own devising. The proposal should consist of a researchable thesis accompanied by a brief rationale and preliminary bibliography. This project would be a good building block for an M.A. thesis or for a writing sample in application to a Ph.D. program.

Large-Scale Research Proposal (+/- 10 pages) for a project such as an M.A. thesis, consisting of a researchable thesis, rationale, description of method, and outline of sections, ending with a 1-2 page bibliography. This will require substantial research and reading on your part. The initial proposal should consist of the thesis, brief rationale, and preliminary bibliography. This project would give you experience in crafting an M.A. thesis proposal, even if your eventual thesis won’t focus on material modernism.

Course Design (collegiate, primary school, or secondary school) (+/- 10 pages) that somehow draws on the material, subjects, and/or methods of this course. It should consist of a statement of objectives, schedule/syllabus, sample lesson plans, assignments, an accompanying rationale and bibliography. The proposal should consist of a pedagogical objective, brief rationale, and preliminary bibliography. The design can present something you can do either realistically or in a “perfect world” -- it’s up to you.

Documentary Movie (+/- 10 minutes) featuring narrative by you that draws on research beyond what we’ve done in class and is organized around a researchable thesis. Visuals and possibly audio should be a major component of this project. The proposal should consist of the thesis, rationale, preliminary bibliography, and a preliminary storyboard/outline (2 pages total).

Creative Media or Writing Project that shows a vigorous engagement with course topics, magazine formats, etc. It must feature an accompanying rationale and a post-mortem evaluation. The proposal should consist of the project’s goal, along with a description of how it will set out to achieve that goal.