Individualized Project |
Each student will pursue a
semester-long project which focuses on some special aspect of
the course topic. Preparation for this project must include
the following: |
library
research
primary (ancient) and secondary (scholarly)
material
analysis of material
original work |
A prospectus
for this project is due around mid-semester. See
individualized project guidelines
for additional suggestions about choosing a topic and
completing this assignment. |
An
individualized project
includes:
1.) the original prospectus
(due at mid-term) Note: This
prospectus (with professor's comments) must be resubmitted with the
final project.)
2.)
the
central product. This can take the form of a research
paper, creative writing, artwork, website or any other work which deals
with material covered in course readings or discussions.
See notes on product length and use of Powerpoints below.
3.) an abstract of the product
(c.100-150 words). This abstract
(executive summary) describes
and summarizes the product so that the audience can obtain a general
idea of the paper, artwork, or other product before viewing or reading
it. Be sure to state your thesis clearly in this abstract. Do not use
the future tense in this abstract.
4.) a project overview
and self-evaluation (c.800 words) which contains the following
information:
a.) a summary of
how the project was conceived and prepared;
b.)
the goals of the project;
c.) an explanation of how you used and analyzed sources
(originality);
and d.) your evaluation of the ways your project meet the project goals
(self-assessment).
5.) an annotated bibliography
of works consulted,
listed alphabetically by last name of author.
Annotations summarize the resources and
explain how they were used in the project. A typical annotation will be at
least 100- words (not
including bibliographic information and should
contain a summary of the source and the way
that this
source was used in the project. A minimum of ten sources, including one
article from J-Stor. are required for a B-range grade; a minimum of
twenty sources, including two articles from J-Stor, are required for a project worthy of an A-range grade.
Course books, encyclopedias, dictionaries, Wikipedia
articles and websites evaluated by the class can be
cited in the bibliography but only as complements to
the minimum number required works (i.e., they
do not count in your total for a grade). The quality of
the material consulted will significantly affect the grade. It is highly
recommended that a variety of resources be consulted, including
books, journals, and websites. Heavy reliance on a single kind of
resource like websites
is not advised. Wherever possible, make significant
use of primary as well as secondary sources in your
project. For format of
bibliographic references, see Writing
Guidelines.
6.) citations for images:
Sources for all images used
in the project must be fully cited in a list separate from the
annotated bibliography. These citations, which do not have to be
annotated, should be listed alphabetically by last name of artist and
include the following information: artist, title, medium, date of
creation, present location (museum), and url.
Some observations about length:
No specific length is
mentioned in the guidelines because the central product of your
individualized can take the form of a research paper, creative writing,
artwork, website or any other work which deals with material covered in
course readings or discussions. So the length will vary according to the
kind of product you choose. What is most important is that you show in
your project that you
a.) pursued significant research in quality sources;
b.) analyzed this material for yourself (i.e., not just express someone
else’s opinion).
Some observations about Powerpoint
presentations:
A Powerpoint should
not be considered a product in itself but rather as a visual
enhancement of the product (i.e. paper) in
which you present your project. Therefore, the
Notes section for every slide will contain
substantial text. Powerpoint presentations which only
present written information on the screen are generally
of poor quality. Filling a Powerpoint
screen with lots of text in small fonts is distracting
and difficult to read. Powerpoint presentations in which people
simply read exactly what is on the slide
is somewhat insulting to an audience which can
read for itself. Rather the Powerpoint should complement what the
speaker has to say. So, the Powerpoint, should provide illustrations and
perhaps occasional bullets which help a person understand your product
more fully.
The script intended to accompany a Powerpoint presentation
MUST be included in the notes area and must contain detailed information
about the slide.
Here are
several
samples of good individualized project. Many thanks to the authors for
allowing me to share them.
Durante /
Sullivan / Widdop /
Logan
This
Evaluation Form
for Individualized Projects will be used to
grade your work. It is highly advised that you use this form as a guide
during your preparations.
This material has been published on the web by
Prof. Tom Sienkewicz for his students at Monmouth College. If you have any
questions, you can contact him at
tjsienkewicz@monmouthcollege.edu.
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