ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION. In a seminar course each participant’s contribution is valued, and absences affect the entire group. You will be permitted two excused absences (“excused” means that you must have contacted me prior to class to inform me of your absence) throughout the semester. Any excused absences in excess of two and any unexcused absences will negatively affect your grade. A pattern of late arrivals is likewise detrimental. More than three excused absences, or more than two unexcused absences, will prevent you from passing the course.
You’re expected to come to class prepared (i.e., having read and digested the readings), remain engaged, and participate thoughtfully in class discussions, presentations, group exercises, etc. Attendance and participation are worth 20% of your final grade.
APPLICATION. Over the course of the semester each student will deliver one 10-minute in-class presentation and submit one 900- to 1200-word post focusing on a concrete application of the theories we discuss in class. Where do you see the week’s central themes playing out in the world – in a brick-and-mortar library or archive, in an artist’s work, in a particular online database, in one of the many behind-the-scenes spaces supporting our digital infrastructure, etc.? On our website you’ll find a sampling of interesting artists and local sites that you’re welcome to take as your topic, but you’re also welcome to go “off list.” Just please try not to duplicate examples we discuss in class, and please share your topic with me at least two days before class, so I don’t steal your thunder in my own prepared lecture J You’re encouraged to investigate how archival/library/database theory works on the ground – which means that, ideally, for this assignment, you’ll go visit places, talk to people, touch stuff, etc., rather than simply conduct online research from the comfort of your own apartment. In your paper and presentation you’ll want to strike a balance between synopsis of the relevant theoretical frameworks or concepts; description of your chosen concrete subject; and critical analysis of that subject in light of those theories and concepts.
You’ll find a few sample application projects, from our Spring 2011 class, here.
Your paper should be posted to our class website before class on the date you’re schedule to present. You’re encouraged to include lots of illustrative media. You’ll have ten minutes for your formal presentation, then we’ll dedicate roughly five minutes to discussion. The presentation and paper are together worth 30% of your final grade.
FINAL PROJECT PROPOSAL. See below for more on the format of the final project. Throughout the semester I hope you’ll come across several ideas, arenas, individuals, etc., about which or whom you would like to know more. This final project will give you the opportunity to delve deeply into a research and/or creative area of personal interest. You should begin thinking about potential topics early in the semester. By the end of the day on November 20 (you needn’t wait until November 20; you can submit any time before then!) I’ll need you to submit via Google Drive a formal ~900-word (including endmatter) project proposal. This proposal must include (1) a problem statement or research question; (2) a discussion of your proposed research methodology and an outline of your research/production plan*; and (3) a tentative bibliography containing at least ten sources, half of which must be scholarly sources. You’ll be expected to share your proposal in an informal two-minute presentation in the following class, on November 27. I certainly don’t expect your proposals to be perfect (the primary reason I ask you to submit these is so you can receive constructive feedback before delving too deeply into your projects), but I do expect the proposals to evince some serious contemplation, good planning, and an awareness of relevant resources in the field. The proposal is worth 10% of your final grade. You’ll have an opportunity to revise and resubmit the proposal if necessary.
You’ll find a list of 2011 projects here.
*If you’re considering a research-based creative project or media production, your “research methodology” section should explain how your chosen format – video, artist’s book, interactive map, audio documentary, etc. – serves as an appropriate “method” for your project, how the form suits the content.
FINAL PROJECT. Throughout the semester you should be working toward the completion of either (1) a 4,000- to 6,000-word paper (word count includes endmatter), or (2) a creative/production project (that’s of final-project-appropriate scope) with a 900-word accompanying text, in which you address the critical issues you aimed to explore through your work and explain how your chosen format aided in that exploration. This research project is worth 40% of your final grade, and is due before class on December 18. Papers and support papers for creative projects should be submitted via Google Drive.