Participation……….20%
During the second week on class, each student will be asked to select a minimum of three articles from the list of readings and for each prepare a two-page written response. Each response will be shared at the beginning of the class for which the reading is assigned. Ideally, two students will be responsible for each article in order to generate a diversity of opinions that will enable a lively and well-informed class discussion. Although the presenters will initiate these conversations, it is expected that all students will come to class every week ready to discuss all the assigned readings
Throughout the course you may be asked to write a short piece in class. These reflection pieces or critical inquiries will also constitute a portion of your participation, alongside your attendance and preparation. A quality participation grade results from the interaction of one's critical reflections on the week's readings in and with the class in a respectful and progressive manner.
Assignment 1…….30% Due Wednesday July 27, 2011 by 6:00pm
Given that our contemporary moment in Western Culture is saturated by various popular culture texts, in 5-7 pages critically reflect on how your life has intersected with these texts. Choose one specific popular culture text and using at least three course readings examine how this text or practice has:
· illuminated your consciousness to the social relations that facilitate injustice and breed inequity in your life or someone close to you
or
· provided possibilities for an emancipatory self-identification process
or
· highlighted class struggle and counterhegemonic sentiments
or
· allowed you to test the struggle over meaning and representation by becoming an active participant in the making of meaning via popular culture texts.
Assignment 2 ….. 50% Due in class August 10, 2011
The second assignment will focus on a topic of your choice, either expanding on your first assignment or exploring a new topic. In this essay you will critical examine a theme or issue from the course, engaging in rigorous intellectual exploration. It is expected that only course material will be sited in the final essay and will demonstrate your abilities to critically digest the course readings and make theoretical interventions.
Notice on Academic Integrity:
In the University of Toronto Code of Behavior on Academic Matters, it is an offence for a students “to represent as one’s own any idea or expression of an idea or work of another in academic examination or term test or another form of academic work.” Whether quoting original work or adapting it, always cite the course, be this from an article in an academic journal or a curriculum document on a Ministry Website. For reference, see handouts “How Not to Plagiarize” at www.utoronto.ca/writing/plagsep.html and “Standard Documentation Formats” www.utoronto.ca/writing/document.html
