Spring 2003: Section 2
Final Project Assignment
Due dates: Final project is due May 12. See below for other
important due dates. Much of your grade will depend on
timely completion of each step.
Length: 8-10 pages, double-spaced
Topic: Your choice, within parameters
The purpose of this project is for you to critically analyze material on a topic of your choice that relates to women and/or gender in society. Whatever your choice of topic and format, you will need to incorporate references to at least two in-class readings, films or presentations AND at least two outside references you find on your own (scholarly journal articles, newspaper/magazine articles, films, etc.) I am primarily interested in your synthesis of material and your CRITICAL RESPONSE to it (I don't want you to merely summarize what your sources say). The project and your presentation of it will account for 25% of your final grade.
The paper will be eight to ten pages, double-spaced, with one-inch margins
and 12-point font. You will also turn in a brief
proposal, revised proposal, bibliography and outline on the dates specified
in the syllabus. Bring two copies of each to
class on the dates specified to exchange with classmates for in-class
comments. I encourage you to provide me with a rough draft for assessment
and suggestions. The final draft of the project is due no later than
May 12. It will be graded on:
Choose one of the following (or propose an alternative):
1. Research paper. Choose a focused topic concerning women,
gender or sexuality that interests you. Using Zimmerman Library's
electronic databases, find a minimum of three good scholarly articles on
a phenomenon related to the topic and assess the authors' theoretical explanations
for the phenomenon and the social construction of it. What are the
strengths and shortcomings of each explanation? From your perspective,
which theory (either one of those you've analyzed or your own alternative)
offers the strongest explanation for the phenomenon you have chosen?
Why? What are the roles of race/class/disability/etc.?
For research resources in Women Studies at Zimmerman Library you can
start here:
http://elibrary.unm.edu/subjects/womenstudies.html
2. Textual analysis. Read a book (novel, biography or memoir),
watch a perfomance or film, or view an art exhibit that features one or
more people facing an issue specifically related to women, gender, and/or
sexuality. Briefly describe the
issues addressed, the role of the person's immediate social circle
and the larger social context (including the roles of race, class disability,
etc.), and your own critical response. From your perspective, what are
the strengths and shortcomings of the piece, especially with regard to
women/gender/sexuality? Why? Please note you need to incorporate
references to at least two in-class sources and at least one outside source
(other than your chosen text) related to the topic.
Suggested books include: Feinberg, Stone Butch Blues; Hernandez
& Rehman, Colonize This!; Lorde, Zami; Anchee Min, Red
Azalea; Morrison, The Bluest Eye or Beloved; Schlonski,
The Last Time I Wore a Dress; books we're reading excerpts from
in class.
Film ideas: Mi Vida Loca, Salt of the Earth, History and Memory,
Thelma & Louise, The Celluloid Closet, American Beauty, Frida, documentaries
by Sadie Benning. These are only suggestions; feel free to propose
another book, film, performance or exhibit.
3. Ethnography. Choose a focused topic concerning women,
gender or sexuality that interests you. (You can either
choose an aspect of one of the areas covered in the syllabus and course
readings, or propose a new topic.) It can be
related to your personal experience (or not). Arrange to either
1) observe a person or group engaged in activity related to
the phenomenon you're interested in (for at least a couple of hours)
or 2) interview (an) individual(s) who regularly engage
with the topic in some way. For either observation or interviews,
you will need to have a well-thought-out research
question and methodological approach ahead of time. Briefly describe
the nature of the topic and your methodology.
What do you observe and what is the response of those in the surrounding
social context? What are the roles of race/class/disability/etc.?
From your perspective, what theoretical approach offers the strongest explanation
for the phenomenon? Why?
4. Creative Expression. Writing, art, performance, etc.
I am open to other ideas and media for your project.
Deadlines: BRING 2 COPIES of the following to class on the dates specified.
Wednesday 2/26: One paragraph proposal. What type of project will you do? What is your research topic, the title of your text, or plan for your creative project? If doing ethnographic research, where, with whom and how will you do it?
Wednesday 4/2: Revised proposal, bibliography and/or methodology. What is your research question? What methods will you use to pursue this question? If ethnography, who will you interview/observe, what will be your interview questions or guidelines for observation? If research or text analysis, what will be your sources? You must list citations correctly in some consistent bibliographic format.
Monday 4/21: Outline of paper - no more than a page. Main
ideas, supporting arguments, revised bibliography, a
general update on the project. Which theories will you be discussing?
Any tentative conclusions? Questions that have
emerged you want to pursue?
(4/28 - Draft of paper due, if you want comments from me in time to make changes.)
Monday 5/12: Final paper due. ATTACH ALL OF THE ABOVE to the
back of your final paper.