Final Project

Final Assignment: Multimedia Essay (200 points)

Group Assignment

Presentation/Reflection Date (December 14)

“The truth about ______”

Purpose:

The purposes of this assignment are to help you gain experience in making presentations, in working within a group situation and in exploring the effectiveness of images as a part of persuasion.

The Assignment:

Each group will be expected to present a 10- to 12-minute visual definition essay centered upon the phrase, "The truth about _____" You will want to spend some time within your group discussing with each other the various themes and subjects that we have encountered so far in this class, or one that you decide on that we haven’t yet talked about (Fast Food/Diet in America, A specific musical genre, Total Equality Among Races AND Genders, etc.)

Together, as a group, you need to arrive at a "working definition" of the subject/word/phrase that you choose to explain, together, what you think it means, or should mean (this definition can be as long or as short as you want it to be) AS A COLLECTIVE GROUP. Once you have arrived at a working definition [which is also an argument, by the way], you will want to begin thinking about different ways you might present your definition to the class in a multimedia format [through images, text, and video clips and sound].

The Presentation (Group) - 100 points:

A multi-modal presentation is one that involves more than one method (or mode) of presentation. I do expect it to incorporate at least two of the three main modes: text [written and spoken], images, and sound [sound bytes and/or video clips].

Your presentation must be made using either PowerPoint or some type of video/DVD/movie-making software.

Remember that creativity is always rewarded.  Consider typed words, digital photographs, hands-on interaction with the class, a slideshow with music, posters, etc.  Consider appealing to all of our senses. Pay close attention to design elements – how images and words are visually presented, how fonts are used, how sounds are used.  All of these design techniques will combine to express your abstract word through imagery. Your goal is to communicate what your group feels the phrase, "the truth of _____," means.  If you have started this project with wildly disparate views, you must reconcile that disparity in some way and reach a consensus.

EACH STUDENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR 5 SLIDES

PRESENTATION MUST CONTAIN ALL PARTS OF A FUNCTIONAL ESSAY:

(Intro/Thesis, Body Pargaraphs, Counterargument, Conclusion Paragraph)

Self-Reflection (Individual) - 100 points: In 2-3 brief pages, describe the process you followed to develop your part argument through images. Think about whether you thought it was challenging or simple once you actually started setting up what you were trying to “say.” Did images you find affect how you felt about the subject? Also, use this paper to explain if you felt like you had to ¨compromise¨ when you came to an agreement on your presentations main argument. It’s ok to have differing opinions, but it’s more important to learn how to work amicably with one another and make decisions as a group.

Use this time to also make a work cited of the different images/sounds/videos that you used, and where you got them from.

Some tips:

The more controversial your topic is, the more fun it will be be to develop an argument around it, so don’t be afraid to explore topics that seem “intense.”

Try to work out group conflicts without my influence.  Part of this assignment is to learn how to work effectively within a group situation. As most of you are already aware, a large part of your college career and your life experience after college will involve working in groups.

If you want to save your powerpoint / any format presentation to a flash drive, that’s a good idea, but I’m fine with you just emailing your final product. Check with me ahead of time about the method of presentation you want to use, so that I can have all the equipment you need in the class during the final exam period. Make sure that your presentation is saved in more than one way and place.

Final Due Date:

December 14, 2016

6:45-10

Quiz Questions from last week, and Zizek Think-Piece

Hey Guys,

Here are the questions from last week that everyone answered in their Notebooks last week:

1. What does Billy Dream that he is when he is high on Morphine?

2. How does the scene with the punched prisoner mimic a scene with the Trafalmadorians? Specifically, what words are exchanged that are similar?

3. While Billy is talking with Valencia in the hospital, what does she talk about that reveals something about her personality? What does it reveal about her?

4. In Chapter 5, at which two points does he insert himself? The author, not Billy Pilgrim, but Vonnegut?

5. There's time travel, and there's the alien abduction. Billy comes unstuck in time in 1944 (in the snow with Weary), and then abducted in 1967 (the night of his daughter's wedding). Why are these seperate events? What function does time travel have, that the abduction does not?

Answer these in full short responses, in your notebook.

*****

Also, since I'm not sure if it's a good idea for me to distribute incendiary material, I'm going to attach the Zizek article that I mentioned in class that helped me feel better about the current state of things in America. Plus I think it is a good think piece about a very real concern today.

http://inthesetimes.com/features/zizek_clinton_trump_lesser_evil.html

Homework for Week 10 and Week 11 EDIT!!!!!!!

Hey Class,

Here's a brief review about the Homework that's due on Wednesday:

1. Continue Reading "SH5" through chapter 7

2. Thesis Statement, AND TYPED  outline of your argument details - your Paragraph Topics

3. READ TWO ARTICLES ASSIGNED FOR ESSAY # 3

I know you all know what that looks like, but here's link to a good example:

HERE IS AN EXAMPLE

See you guys weds!!!

-

Essay #3 Prompt

Hey Guys,

Here is the prompt for Essay #3:

Essay #3 will be based on the novel Slaughterhouse Five and THREE articles: "How America's Leading Science Fiction Authors Are Shaping Your Future," "Changing Memories to Treat PTSD," and one essay or piece of research that YOU must find yourself. I don't want a google article, so use the Library database.

Slaughterhouse Five tells the realistic story of Billy Pilgrim's World War Two experiences, juxtaposed with the science fiction elements of time-travel and alien abduction. How does Vonnegut use the combination of these two elements to illustrate the effects of war-time trauma on soldiers? How is Billy trying (or not trying) to deal with his trauma? Furthermore, what comment is the novel making on our "choices" as people, or members of our society?

- Answer all questions clearly and directly.
- Use direct quotes from the novel and the three articles
- You may also include personal experience and observations as evidence if they are relevant.

Final Draft Due Thursday,
November 23, 2016

- 4.5 - 7 pages
- Use proper MLA format
- Include extensive quotes (At least 2 quotes per paragraph) and paraphrases from the three sources
- Include a correctly formatted works cited page

ESSAYS for HW, and for use in Essay #3

Hey Guys,

Here are a couple of essays that you are going to read over the weekend, annotate, and use as source material as you build your argument for essay #3.


"Changing Memories to Treat PTSD" by Cari Romm

"How Americas Leading Science Fiction Authors are Shaping Your Future" by Eileen Gunn

We'll talk about them in class a little today, and then I'll post some discussion questions to help you as you read through the articles.

See you soon!!!

HW for Week 7

Hey Class, so here is the Homework for week 7:

1. Make sure to read chapter 5 of Slaughterhouse 5. It's only one chapter, but its a beefy one, and it's a really important one for the story.

2. Based on the prompt from the previous post, choose an injustice (whichever you feel the most drawn to) and think about what subject you want to focus on. Then, for the sake of preparation for Weds in class essay, write a thesis statement (detail an "injustice", and tell me why it is a problem). Or don't, but the draft you write in class NEEDS A CLEAR THESIS STATEMENT so form one over the weekend

- It would be wise of you to also make a brief outline of your argument's paragraphs so that you have a skeleton of what you want your essay to consist of. Pre-writing will not be required for this essay, although it would definitely influence my grading of your paper if you chose to draft some and turned them in with the final product

THEN, find a newspaper article or an essay or an excerpt from a book that discusses your "injustice." You are going to be required to use references/quotes from the article on Weds, so make sure you find an article that YOU CAN PRINT UP or PHOTOCOPY. You need to be able to reference the article or essay or book excerpt while writing the essay, so bring the article to class. I will be checking to make sure you printed it out and brought it Weds, and it will be part of the overall grade, so make it happen. 

So the short version of your hw this week:
1. Read
2. Write a thesis for your In Class essay and Print an Article or Essay of some sort to reference in said essay.

Send me your questions
David

In Class Essay (Essay #2) Prompt

Essay #2 Prompt (in class):

There are social injustices everywhere in today’s culture, and it is very hard to look past any of them. That said, some injustices are still swept under the rug and ignored by mainstream media, or skewed in a way that may make the idea unimportant. Think of injustices such as (but not limited to) sexism, racism, ageism, bullying, religious intolerance, political intolerance, or anything else that you find personal stake in and that you think is worthy of a wider discussion. Argue why you think it is an important issue, and talk about what exactly needs to change to help the issue see more light so it can have a chance at someday being diffused. Be as specific as possible. Be as detailed as possible. Be as angry as you like.

Make sure your essay is no less than than two and half full double spaced pages. Essay must have a clear introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me via email, talk to me to set up an appointment for office hours, or flag me down if you see me power walking out of the parking lot and ask me a question then.

*****

I will specify what your hw is for tonight, in preparation for this essay.