EssayRoadmap

In our discussions on media and culture this semester, we’ve explored the important roles that mass media has had on our society, our communities, and ourselves. We’ve also spent quite a bit of time interrogating the issues that arise when media making collides with the politics of race and gender. For your midterm, you are to select a media production (like a television show, youtube clip, book, graphic novel, song, album, performance, movie, film, musical performance, etc) that has some sort of involvement with, or impact on, Asian Americans and write a paper (standard 5 paragraph essay) that points to at least ONE of the following sets of questions:

· (MIS)REPRESENTATION. How are Asians (mis) represented in the production? Are there cases of erasure, tokenizing, stereotyping, and/or white washing? What do you think the greater ramifications of this are in regards to that media production’s discipline and for society at large? What would an improved version of the creative work look like?

· (SEX AND/OR GENDER) How does the production challenge ideas of Asian Amerian gender and gender roles, particularly in regards to patriarchy?

· (NEW OR ALTERNATIVE NARRATIVES) How does the production currently challenge the dominant narratives around Asian Americans in the culture industry? In what ways can the production be seen as innovative, radical, or even revolutionary?

· (CONTRIBUTIONS TO MEDIA PRODUCTION) How does the media production impact or change the landscape of media production ( in form, content, and/or function)? In what ways is this a watershed moment for this genre or discipline?

There are 2 required components to this writing assignment:

· A PAPER COPY PTEA Roadmap (please see PTEA Roadmap document provided on iLearn, and due date for peer review) completed to the best of your ability and available for peer review (see syllabus for peer review date)

· A standard 5 paragraph, double spaced, 12pt font .docx or .pdf essay submitted on iLearn. This will be graded according to the attached rubric.

What We See Midterm Rubric

PTEA Roadmap with peer edit 5 points possible / 5% of Final Overall Class Grade

Essay 20 Points Possible / 20% of Final Overall Class Grade

Point Breakdown

Well Crafted Introduction (2 points)

Clear thesis that addresses a question from the prompt (3 points)

Logic and Organization (3 points)

Topic sentences are typically issue oriented (vs description oriented), and each topic sentence works to prove the thesis. Sequence of the paragraphs also make logical sense.

Critical Concept (3 points)

There is a connection to concepts learned in class, and concepts or terms are well stated and defined.

Well Crafted Body Paragraphs (3 points)

Clear topic sentences for body paragraphs. Ample evidence (typically one per paragraph) must be provided for each argument. Formal, content, and/or functional analysis of supporting evidence or examples also discuss implications, not just summarize or overview. Outside resources are cited.

Proofread (2 points)

Sounds fluid when read out loud, minimal issues with spelling and grammar. Transitions from paragraph to paragraph are smooth. Paper is clearly proofread.

Well Crafted Conclusion (2 points)

Formatting (2 points)

Double Spaced. 1in margins. Inobnoxious fonts used — times new roman, arial, helvetica are generally good choices.