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Final Project

PROJECT METHODOLOGY

A creative, interactive, and organic process involving object selection, object and topic research, and analysis. This process of “knowledge construction” will lead you to discover new ideas and perspectives, which will be expressed in your project.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Each student is required to produce a course project. This project will allow you to explore a research question of your choosing about Fairy Tales, Folklore, and Mythology in a World History context, and will demonstrate your ability analyze evidence, craft a historical argument, and communicate your findings to a larger audience with the use of a non-linear narrative.

  • PROJECT PROCESS NOTE – primary source or “object” or “artifact” refers to any thing/work that represents society or culture. Defined broadly -from a document or letter to paintings, sculpture, fashion, etc.

RESEARCH

The project requires research of objects and research of a theme. Your work begins with primary source research. You will get started by submitting a research proposal.

IMAGES

You will need to create a public account, such as FLICKR, to store your images/artifacts/film clips, etc. to add to your final TIMELINE/MAP.

DEVELOPING A TOPIC

Between the first and second week, you will begin to formulate a theme/topic for your project.

  • Topics will evolve from lectures, reading, and supplementary research during which you will identify letters, pamphlets, paintings, textiles, architecture, and/or other artifacts that speak to you, inspire you, and are linked thematically to express a topic.
  • Choose a topic/ theme. A key aspect of the project’s methodology is to work from the particular to the general, which you will develop a fuzzy notion of a theme.
    • Some examples of themes might be aspects of the male or female in fairy tales, the color red, ceremony, society, sexuality, appropriation, etc.
  • Collect images. You will need a notebook, preferably separate from your lecture notebook, so that you will be able to write down the information of the primary sources that you find of particular interest.
    • Some of these sources will be used for you timeline/map.

WHAT TO INCLUDE

The timeline/map will contain a minimum of 6 primary sources with analysis (1 paragraph/each).

  • Start your search: Try to find an image of each object selected (for 6 total); the object and object detail expressing the theme.
    • Remember to document as you go. In the first instance, copy the “museum” information on the object plaque and any additional information resident in the objects physical environment -thus you will avoid the need to retrace your steps which can be very time-consuming.

DEADLINES

  • Once you have identified some potential artifacts and related theme, you submit your Research Proposal to me for approval. This should be accomplished 21 September.
  • On 14 October your annotated bibliography is due.
  • By the Final Exam date, you will have collected and analyzed a minimum of 6 objects for your timeline/map.

CRITERIA

  • Once you selected and captured your primary sources, study and research each individually, and, then, think about what meaning they convey to you as you bring them together thus forming an original juxtaposition of objects.
    • You are constructing meaning from your selection and arrangement from which you will draw your theme.
  • Your final project should consist of at least 6 primary sources with descriptive information.
  • The timeline/map should open with a title page, followed by a page with an introduction page (at least 2 paragraphs) that explains the project’s theme, a page for each artifact with a description, and conclusion slide.
    • A key image might follow immediately below the project title (or stand next to it) as a way of visually conveying the theme of the project

DESIGN, STRUCTURE, AND ORGANIZATION

  • The project title page (with perhaps a subtitle) should include your name, date, copyright information, course and instructor information, and an image that conveys the general theme of the exhibit.
  • Topic/Introduction essay: These paragraphs should be from the specific perspectives of your research that you have gained from your primary source selection, experiences, and observations.
    • This is NOT a general topic essay so that you should not try to give an overview of your period(s) in history, but rather speak from your own specific focus.
    • This  introduction to your topic includes the argument you are making as a well-constructed thesis statement and any relevant context and evidence you’re using to support that argument;
  • Make sure to cite sources that you have used in your research. You are required to cite several sources. These should be used to augment your own analysis and interpretation, not as the primary focus.
  • For each of the 6 primary sources you have selected include your image, a full object citation (author, title, location, physical description including media and size), a two to three-paragraph discussion of the object with a minimum of 1 secondary source for each object discussion (included in Chicago format). You can certainly have multiple footnotes or in-text citations for each label.
    • Textual content (the 2-3 paragraphs): Each primary source should have text that explains how it fits into the overall theme.
      • You might also give a brief descriptive title to the object in your image to attract the viewer’s attention.
    • Conclusion and bibliography: Include your personal perspectives: your thoughts on your experiences, a discussion of the sources and how you used the sources they pertain to your topic.
      • This does not need to be more than two paragraphs.
    • A bibliography of all sources used, formatted in Chicago Style;

GRADING

Your project, which comprises 20% of your grade, will be graded on:

  1. the argument for your theme and its contextualization,
  2. the clarity with which you present your ideas,
  3. the selectivity of the primary sources,
  4. your general thoroughness of approach, and
  5. the point you intend to make in the timeline/map and how well your timeline/map actually makes your point.

Errors of spelling, grammar, etc. will seriously diminish your grade, as will ANY lack of citations for ideas and information that is not your own.

A  =  excellent   (significant synthesized theme, well-­‐researched, well-reasoned, and  carefully written)

B = above average (clear theme with a significant amount of research, evidence of independent thinking, written in a manner that shows careful thought)

C   =   average   (adequate   theme   with   minimal   research, adequate   organization, and   expression)

D   =   below average   (lacking   a   clear   theme   and   adequate   research,   written   carelessly with  poor   reasoning)

F   =   not   satisfactory   (fails   to   meet   the   assignment)

         

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