Papers/Presentations
Choose from one of two tracks: the presentation track or the paper track. In both cases you will do two assignments and the content of the assignments will be the same, only the form in which you deliver them will be different. On the presentation track, you will give two presentations to the class. On the paper track you will write two papers. Once you have decided on a track you are committed to that track and cannot switch. This is because I expect to see improvement over the course of the semester and if you switch tracks you lose the chance to keep developing the skills you have been honing related to that track.
Both Tracks:
Your assignments will consist of presentations/papers in which you take one of the sections from class and its associated reading, find at least two-three related outside academic readings related to it, and construct your own distinct position relative to these readings. I expect you to demonstrate that you fully read and understood all of the readings you discuss. You can use additional non-academic sources but these will not count toward your academic sources. You will develop an original argument based on what you have read, on the things we have discussed in class, and on any relevant outside issues and objects that you bring to bear on your subject. Be sure to find examples that make your subject relevant to our class discussions.
I expect your presentations/papers to roughly follow this structure (or at least to include all of these parts):
an introduction in which you state an original hypothesis/argument of your own
a discussion of what other people have said about your subject
your agreement and disagreement with what other people have said
your hypothesis/argument based on your formal analysis of the works you have chosen to discuss and restated in relation to what other people have said
counter-arguments that other people might make against your hypothesis/argument
a conclusion in which you…