4500 word paper

One of the primary objectives of this course is for you to produce a work of original research,inspired by some of the theories, dilemmas, questions and arguments we have grappled with throughout this semester. This research paper should be structurally and analytically modeled after the texts and discussions that we have encountered in our seminar, which means that it should be historically situated, theoretically grounded, and in conversation with larger sociocultural dynamics.

You are responsible for selecting a topic related to popular culture, conducting individual research on this topic, and coming up with your own conclusions based on this research.

The final research project/paper will be approximately 18 pages long. If you choose to do a multi-media project, you will have to discuss and confirm format/length with the professor prior to

submission. The topic choice is entirely up to you, as long as a clear engagement of the popular culture dynamics discussed in class is at the heart of your analysis.

This is your opportunity to choose a popular culture topic that has some meaning to you, and a chance to utilize the theoretical tools you have learned in the class to analyze and further explore that topic.

The paper should provide a thoughtful, research-oriented and theoretically driven

perspective on the topic you have chosen.

You should utilize at least 3 theoretical concepts/formulations that we covered in class.

You should make substantive reference to at least 2 other theorists/writers whose work we tackled in class (in addition to the 3 theoretical concepts covered in class).

You should include arguments/ideas from at least 2 outside scholarly sources that you have found and researched on your own. Scholarly sources are academic books, journal articles,conference presentation, etc. Articles from the popular press can be included but will not count towards this requirement.

Your final presentation, delivered during the last week of the semester, should introduce

your topic and outline key issues and questions related to your topic in an interesting and engaging fashion. Your performance in the final presentation will count toward your final research paper grade.

No late papers will be accepted without a written, medical excuse. You will present your work on your assigned day unless a clear medical issue prevents you from doing so.

FINAL PAPER/PRESENTATION GUIDELINES

(1) Choosing Topics

Choose a topic with a clear popular culture focus. You can start with a specific media artifact. Some

options could be: a film, television show, a media genre, a song/album, a trend in fashion or fashion

brand, a popular literature text (fiction or non-fiction), a website or web magazine, dance

performances, popular poetry, performance art, works of visual art. Feel free to run any other ideas

by me.

Choose a theme. Themes should be drawn loosely from our course topics as they relate to popular culture and its relationship to power and identity formation. (These “themes” do not necessarily need to be explicitly stated in your thesis, but should be driving the paper’s conceptual framework

and analysis). Please see the weekly topic breakdowns in the syllabus for a preliminary list of potential themes (constructing gender, taste cultures & class cultures, racial “authenticity,”carnivalesque resistance, belonging/home, etc.).

(2) Framing the Argument

You need to construct an argument about your chosen topic. This means you should have a clear thesis or position that you will argue, support, and analyze in the body of your paper.

Your thesis and paper must demonstrate a clear link between chosen topic and theme. The topic should exemplify your chosen theme, and your analysis should clearly explain this linkage and comment on its significance.

You should utilize at least 3 theoretical concepts/formulations that we covered in class.

You should make substantive reference to at least 2 other theorists/writers whose work we tackled in class (in addition to the 3 theoretical concepts covered in class).

You should include arguments/ideas from at least 2 outside scholarly sources that you have found and researched on your own. Scholarly sources are academic books, journal articles,conference presentation, etc. Articles from the popular press can be included in the paper but will not count towards this requirement.

Your chosen source materials (theoretical readings) should be used to build and support your argument, and/or as a point of critique.

FOCUS ON ANALYSIS – not description, personal impressions, or summary.

(3) Driving Questions

Consider a few driving questions that will specifically address both your topic and theme as they

relate to your argument. Formulating these questions before you begin your outlining and writing

process will help you determine what is at stake here. Why does this topic matter? In other words:

you have arrived at some conclusions about your topic, but so what? What does it tell us about the ways in which popular culture is imbricated with sociocultural power formations and identity

processes? What are the implications of your conclusions and/or your ultimate series of arguments?

Please note: these questions should serve as guidelines ONLY. Do NOT simply answer these questions in your paper and move on.

(4) References/Research

You must include in-text citations throughout the paper as well as a separate works cited page.Citations can be in a format of your choosing (MLA, APA, etc.), but select one format and stay consistent throughout the paper.

(5) Style & Format

The final paper should be an 18-22 page essay, double-spaced. Margins should not exceed one-inch,

and font should be Times New Roman 12-point.

Please include your name and a title that is relevant to your topic.

Number your pages.

Your paper should be PROOFREAD (spell-checked and grammatically correct).

It should be in compliance with the Honor Code.

FINAL PRESENTATION

You will be expected to give a 10 minute presentation in the final week of the semester in which

you outline the topic that you have selected, discuss the methodology you employed in the research

process, share initial research findings and point to future areas of research. You will be evaluated

on your ability to demonstrate the importance of the topic to your audience, present an organized

and well-researched argument, and deliver the presentation in an engaging fashion.

If you feel like visual aids (images, video/audio clips, powerpoint, prezi, etc.) will enhance your

presentation, you are welcome to use them. Please check with me ahead of time about the content of

these aids before proceeding.

GRADING AND EVALUATION

The best research papers/projects will:

· Have a clear and narrow focus on the topic being analyzed

· Articulate a specific and cogent thesis that is related to the chosen topic

· Use particular details and examples as the foundation of the paper’s analysis

· Employ and engage credible scholarly sources that clearly relate to the topic and thesis

· Examine and explain the significance of examples and scholarly sources as they relate to and support the paper’s thesis

· Demonstrate a lucid and coherent writing style

· Adhere to formatting guidelines as specified above.

The best final presentations will

Follow the same guidelines, above, regarding focus, thesis, details, clarity and significance

Engage your audience through both content and delivery

Draw from relevant multimedia examples that help exemplify