writing assignment

ARB 2103 – SPRING 2018

POP CULTURE IN THE ARAB WORLD

INSTRUCTIONS FOR FINAL PROJECT

INDIVIDUAL RESEARCH PAPERS

Papers should be 10 pages, double space, Times New Roman 12, in addition to the

cover page and the Reference page. Topics should be related to any of the 10 different

themes, topics, disciplines and practices discussed in class (e.g. language, music,

Internet, media, leisure, marriage, sports, etc.).

The paper should refer to at least THREE major sources of reference. Scholarly books

and articles are considered major sources of reference. You can use Internet or

Newspapers material in addition to the THREE sources required for your research.

Footnotes and bibliography are compulsory. Use MLA or Chicago style.

SUBMISSION: Please submit your paper on Brightspace. NO EMAILS please!

DEADLINE: 29 June @ 4pm.

Structure of Paper:

1. Cover page including a clear title of your paper, name and student ID

2. Introduction (2 pages) about the topic you wish to discuss and your general

argument/thesis. Give a brief history of the pop practice you wish to analyse,

contextualize by referring to social and cultural environments, etc.

3. Development (7 pages): break your paper down into two or three sections; focus on

ONE idea per section. Create links between your paragraphs and sections.

4. Conclusion (1 page): summarize the major argument of your paper.

5. Bibliography (1 page): include at least three sources of reference.

Evaluation Criteria of Individual Research Paper:

The style: with no or few spelling mistakes and scientific argumentation, your paper

will be more appreciated by the reader (5 points).

The structure of the paper and the clarity of your analysis (one idea per paragraph);

the connexion between the topics you are discussing and the general topic of the

course should be obvious; the transitions and links between the paragraphs (5 points).

Content analysis: the focus, the pertinence of the topic and the originality of your

analysis are worth higher marks; scholarly works (books and articles) you refer to in

your essay (recent bibliography, related books to your topic, quotations and

footnotes, etc.) and the way you integrate your quotations in your analysis are also an

evaluation criteria; citations enhance and strengthen your argument (25 points).

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING REPORTS

Community-based learning experiences enhance the students’ learning experience

through volunteering. To volunteer in one of Ottawa’s Arab associations, students are

advised to check the University of Ottawa Experiential Learning Service ASAP

http://web5.uottawa.ca/els/students/index.php

The volunteering project has to be approved by professor. Students have to arrange

for a letter from their supervisor at the association to confirm the number of hours

and the tasks assigned to student. The letter from the supervisor should be sent

directly to professor before the deadline of 29 June to this email:

[email protected]

Students are requested to report on their experience (a minimum of 30 hours of

volunteering) after the end of the project. The report should be related to any of the

10 different themes, topics, disciplines and practices discussed in class (e.g. language,

music, Internet, media, leisure, marriage, sports, etc.). It should explain how the

volunteering experience enhanced the student knowledge of pop culture in the Arab

World. Reports should be 5 pages, Time New Roman 12, double space, in addition to

the cover page. The report can include images in addition to the 5-page text. If

necessary, use bullets to summarize characteristics, brief historical facts, etc. related

to the volunteering experience. Scholarly books and articles used in class can be

referenced to enhance the report.

SUBMISSION: Please submit the report on Brightspace. NO EMAILS please!

DEADLINE: 29 June @ 4pm.

20 points are dedicated to finishing the 30 hours and 20 points to the Report

Evaluation Criteria of the Experiential Learning Report:

The style: with no or few spelling mistakes and scientific argumentation, your report

will be more appreciated by the reader (3 points).

The structure of the report should be clear, and the connexion between the

volunteering experience and the course should be obvious (3 points).

Content analysis: the focus, the pertinence of the topic and the originality of your

experience analysis are worth higher marks; scholarly works (books and articles) you

refer to in your report and the way you link your course knowledge with your

volunteering experience are an important evaluation criteria; references to readings

done for the course enhance and strengthen your report (14 points).

TEAM VIDEO PROJECTS

Documentary videos should be at least 10 minutes long. This is a team project; two

students should work together on the video. Topics discussed in the video should be

related to any of the 10 different themes, topics, disciplines and practices discussed in

class (e.g. language, music, Internet, media, leisure, marriage, sports, etc.).

The audiovisual quality of the video is a major evaluation criterion. If the sound is not

audible or the image is blurry, this might hinder your work and therefore reduce your

chances to get a good mark. Research should be done prior to shooting. It is NOT

enough to do video interviews; your questions should be based on research material

and readings. You can include written information in your video using slides or add a

voice comment as you see fit. Please use subtitles if your interviewees speak in Arabic.

SUBMISSION: Please upload the video to Youtube and submit the link on Brightspace. You

can also submit an mp4 document. NO EMAILS please!

Deadline: 29 June @ 4pm.

Evaluation Criteria of Team Video Project:

The visual quality: image in focus, audible sound, genre, composition, framing, editing,

music (5 points)

The structure of the video: the clarity of your interviews, the transitions and links

between the scenes should be respected (5 points).

Content analysis: focus on fewer interviewees and on fewer topics; the originality of

your topic is worth higher marks; the way you integrate your research in your video is

also an evaluation criteria (this will show through questions, text inserts, voice over,

topics addressed); editing can be a tool to build meaning and show contradictions in

your video, use it to assert or invalidate the opinions of your interviewees; try to

present a critical point of view as much as possible, it is important to put your

opinions in perspective in documentary videos (25 points).

ALL FINAL PROJECTS ARE ACCEPTED IN EITHER ENGLISH OR FRENCH.

BEST WISHES!