Final rough draft

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AAS 27100 Introduction to African American Studies (online)

“Theorizing African American Studies” Final Paper

Deadlines:

*No Extensions Will Be Granted For Any of These Deadlines*

Friday, April 3, 2020 by 11:59 PM

Essay Topic & MLA Citations

Friday, April 17, 2020 by 11:59 PM

Rough Draft

Friday, April 24, 2020 by 11:59 PM

Peer Review

Thursday, May 7, 2020 by 11:59 PM

Final Essay

Purpose: The central purpose of this assignment is for students to consider the material they

have learned throughout the semester and operationally apply it to specific cultural materials,

popular culture, or cultural moments that are pertinent to individuals of African descent. Through

a critical and concise defining of African American Studies theories and the application of those

theories, students will be able to comprehensively conceptualize how Afrocentricity or Black

Feminism and its attendants (Womanism and Africana Womanism) have real implications and

impact in the lived experiences of peoples of African descent. Students will also practice

intersectional analysis.

Objective: Using MLA format, students will compose a 5-7-page, double-spaced, essay that:

✓ applies the theory of Afrocentricity or Black Feminism to a Black-centered cultural material, popular culture, or cultural movement

✓ defines the theory in detail ✓ analyzes how the theory’s concepts are apparent in, can be applied to, and/or can help

one understand your chosen cultural example

✓ discuss how intersectionality can be explored in their topic. ✓ employs four scholarly sources to support statements/arguments in essay

This is a four-part assignment. Students will report their topic ideas to Ms. Williams for

approval; complete a rough draft; complete a peer review of a classmate’s rough draft; and turn

in a final draft of their essay during finals week.

Examples: Students should think of the following articles that were read for their midterm

project as examples for how to apply an African American Studies theory to a Black-centered

cultural example:

“Black Feminist-Womanist Research Paradigm: Toward a Culturally Relevant Research

Model Focused on African American Girls” by LaShawnda Lindsay-Dennis

“Bringing Afrocentricity to the Funnies: An Analysis of Afrocentricity Within Aaron

McGruder’s ‘The Boondocks’” by Tia C. M. Tyree and Adrian Krishnasamy”

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Though your essay will be significantly shorter than these articles, you should consider how

these articles explain the theory (Afrocentricity/Black Feminism) and then apply it to a cultural

example that is relevant to Black reality or Black representation.

Tasks:

Part I: Determine Your Essay Topic

 Select a theory: o Afrocentricity o Black Feminism

▪ If you chose Black Feminism, you could also incorporate Africana Womanism and Womanism into your argument. This is not required.

 Select a cultural example: o Think of a cultural moment, piece of popular culture, or element of Black life that

you will be able to research and discuss in the span of 5-7 double-spaced pages.

o Also think of a cultural example that will allow you to either think about how intersectionality is relevant to the topic or how the topic could benefit from an

intersectional analysis.

 Cite two sources from the course readings that will help make your argument.

 Research two additional scholarly sources that will help make your argument. o Scholarly sources are books, book chapters, or peer-reviewed articles from

Google Scholar or Purdue Libraries database (lib.purdue.edu), only

 Submit your essay topic and MLA citations for all four of your sources to Blackboard as a Word document (.doc or .docx) on Friday, April 3, 2020 by 11:59 PM.

Part II: Rough draft

 Using MLA format, compose a 3-4-page, double-spaced, rough draft of your application paper.

o Thesis should be clear. o Paper should be well organized so that your ideas build on one another. o DO NOT SUBMIT NOTES; THIS MUST BE A FIRST DRAFT OF YOUR ESSAY.

 Submit rough draft to Blackboard as a Word document (.doc or .docx) on Friday, April 17, 2020 by 11:59 PM.

Part III: Peer Review

 Receive a classmate’s rough draft via email from Ms. Williams and read.

 Edit spelling, grammar, and punctuation on at least two pages of your peer’s rough draft. o Use “Track Changes” in Word to edit.

▪ Click here to access instructional videos for how to use Track Changes.

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 At the end of your peer’s rough draft, compose 250-words of feedback telling your peer the strengths and weaknesses of their essay.

o Have they followed the instructions fully? o Is the thesis clear? Is the argument/application strong? Is the essay cohesive? o Are they citing effectively? Are they explaining/supporting their arguments? o What was interesting/convincing? What needs improvement?

 Submit peer-reviewed rough draft to Blackboard as a Word document (.doc or .docx) on Friday, April 24, 2020 by 11:59 PM.

Part IV: Final Essay

 Review edits, feedback, and suggestions on rough draft. Apply needed changes.

 Complete your final 5-7-page, double spaced, essay using MLA format.

 Proofread.

o Are there any grammar errors (run-on sentences, incomplete sentences,

misspelled words)?

o Have you incorporated all elements of the assignment instructions?

 Submit your final essay to Blackboard as a Word document (.doc or .docx) by Thursday,

May 7, 2020 by 11:59 PM.

Criteria for Success (i.e., How to Get All the Points):

✓ Use the tasks listed above as a checklist for all the elements you need to include.

✓ Provide evidence, reasoning and justifications for your applications of the theory to

your cultural example. Explain in detail why you made the statements and

interpretations you made.

✓ You must work within in the 5-7-page limit, so no fluff!

✓ If you used a citation machines to generate your MLA citation, check it against the MLA

guidelines provided by Purdue Owl.

✓ Click here for the Purdue Owl style guide on MLA formatting.

Points Possible: 300 pts

Grade Breakdown:

Topic & Citations – 5 pts.

Rough Draft – 75 pts.

Peer Review – 20 pts.

Essay 200 pts.