Analysis assignment
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WGST 222: Cross-cultural Perspectives on Gender
Cultural Artifact Analysis Project
A) Proposal Due: Mon., Oct. 19 Worth: 10% B) Project Option 1: Final Project Due: Mon., Nov. 30 Worth: 35% OR
**Project Option 2: Draft & consultation due by: Nov. 16 Worth: 10% + Final project due: Nov. 30 Worth: 25%
C) Total: Proposal + Project Worth: 45%
**Any student who plans to follow Project option 2 must submit a draft and book a consultation with me before Nov. 16
PROCESS: 1. Choose one object or “artifact” related to the cross-cultural study of gender and prepare a visual
and textual analysis of the artifact. a. Examples of appropriate artifacts include (but are not limited to): artwork (e.g., mask,
painting, sculpture), tool, book, toy, photograph, internet meme, video clip, song, music video, poem, fictional character – feel free to discuss ideas with me.
b. Your artifact must be a specific item, and not a general “type” of object. The key criterion is that it communicates something about gender identity, gender relations, or gender ideologies in a specific cultural context or in comparison of two or more different cultures.
c. Try to choose an artifact from a different culture than the one in which you were raised, or at least make sure that you are able to engage in some critical distance on the culture you choose, even if it is your own, or one of the cultures you identify with.
2. Submit a proposal for your project, along with an annotated bibliography (see guidelines
below). 3. Reflect on:
a. the ways in which representations of gender intersects with class, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, age and other forms of identity in the context of this particular cultural artifact
b. the extent to which the representation reinforces or challenges stereotypes of gender roles and gender relations in that culture
c. how gender ideologies are reproduced through everyday objects
4. Analyze how gender and/or sexuality are constructed, represented, and communicated through this product, incorporating critical perspectives developed throughout this course.
a. apply concepts and theoretical perspectives explored in the readings, films viewed, and class discussions
b. integrate material from course readings and other relevant scholarly sources
5. Present your analysis in an engaging format for your peers (e.g., animated PowerPoint; narrated PowerPoint; video; audio podcast; photo essay) which will be uploaded to eLearn. Your presentation will be visible to a small group of fellow students. Each student will complete peer reviews on two of the presentations visible to their group.
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GUIDELINES: A) Proposal:
• In two to three paragraphs: a. identify the cultural object/text/artifact you plan to analyze in your project b. identify the specific culture it comes from c. identify the theoretical perspective(s) you plan to apply to your analysis (or at least
make reference to relevant concepts and terms learned in the course that will be useful for your analysis)
d. explain what format you plan to use to present your project e. if you cite any course readings or other sources in your proposal, they need to be
properly cited (following APA or Chicago/AAA style)
• Also, provide an annotated list of sources you plan to use: a. Minimum of 4 scholarly sources (set up alphabetically in APA or Chicago/AAA style) b. You will need to have read/consulted them. c. Annotated means that you add explanatory notes to something – in this case, you will
write a brief description of each source (directly below the citation) and why you think it will be useful for your analysis.
B) Project:
• As stated above, you will present your analysis by posting your project for a small group on
eLearn • Your analysis must include:
o a clear identification of the “artifact(s)” you are focusing on – this should be introduced at the beginning of your presentation
o an organized online presentation that viewers can easily follow (view/read/listen to) o incorporation of key course material:
§ you must identify which course topic(s) your analysis relates to (e.g., Embodied Gender ; Politics of Reproduction; Migration…)
§ apply terms/concepts defined and explored in the readings and in class, and discuss how they can be applied to an analysis of your cultural artifact
o incorporation of scholarly sources in your analysis § your analysis will not be simply based on your own opinions and understanding;
you must apply ideas from scholarly sources to support your analysis • you may want to pose questions to your audience at the end of your presentation – i.e., open- ended, critical thinking questions that will stimulate your viewers to reflect on the ideas you have presented • length:
o it is difficult to give a word count requirement, due to the variety of formats which may be employed
§ your project should take about 15 minutes to read or view § text or audio component should be the equivalent of a medium-length essay, i.e.,
1200-1500 words
• Whatever format you choose, you will need to submit a references page with a minimum of 6 scholarly sources, of which a maximum of two can be assigned course readings: references should be formatted following either APA or Chicago/AAA
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Grading: Grade will be based on:
¨ Content (choice of artifact; quality and depth of analysis; appropriate length) ¨ Incorporation of course material (relevant and appropriate terms and concepts applied; correct
use of concepts showing understanding) ¨ Presentation style (engagement with audience; ability to hold interest; communication of ideas) ¨ Following guidelines (minimum number of sources used; appropriate scholarly sources chosen;
correct citation format used A grading rubric will be provided as a guideline.
Academic dishonesty: Any form of cheating or plagiarism will result in a failing grade for the assignment. This means, that if you have cheated in any way, whether on purpose or through not following the required standards for paraphrasing or quoting from sources, and properly citing sources:
¨ For the Proposal, you will receive a maximum grade of 0-4 out of 10 ¨ For the project, you will receive a maximum grade of 0-17 out of 35
Make sure you know what constitutes cheating and plagiarism and how to avoid them. It is every student’s responsibility to learn how to avoid plagiarism but there are many resources available to help you. Ask me if you’re unsure. You will not have the chance to re-submit assignments so make sure you do your best work the first time.