GER 389K.4 Methods of Cultural Studies
Assignments
Fall, 2003
1. 4 Précis assignments (20 pts, 1 page each): see attached.
2. The 3 short essay assignments (18 pts, 1-1/2 pages max)
should be written
in your non-native language and provide a narrative version of the principles put forth
in the précis description: reformulation of the question or thesis, statement
of the argument, two illustrations of the point to be made, and a concluding statement
that points to the wider implications of your findings. Spend no more than 1 hour on this assignment
as it is meant to prepare you for departmental or program exams. Include your preparatory or
"brainstorming and organizing" notes for the essay in the language of your choice.
A 7 point total points given for:
- a. statement understanding of or "take" on the issue to be addressed (1 point),
- b. specifying what comparison, contrast, or causality you argue (1 point),
- c. providing two illustrations of that argument (1 point),
- d. concluding with reference to implications (1 point)
- e. absence of language problems that impede comprehension (1 point)
- f. absence of "Schönheitsfehler-- consistent problems with formal features of language (1 point)
3. Abstracts and proposed conferences for final papers (5 pts),
see web description
in the lower right hand corner of the Germanic Studies home page. Note that applied linguistics
conferences are eligible as well as those addressing audiences in cultural studies and literature.
For 1 point each:
- a. topic: state what the paper is about and how it ties in with the topic of the conference
or section you are applying to (1-2 sentences)
- b. argument: state what it is you are going to show in your talk and how (1 sentence)
- c. exemplification: illustrate this analytical method briefly (2-3 sentences)
- d. goal: tell what you will conclude with--what you hope to show
- e. identify the conference to which you are submitting the abstract
4. Oral presentation in your native language (10 pts),
see web description in the
lower right hand corner of the Germanic Studies home page. Grading 1 point each for:
- a. volume (speaker can be clearly heard),
- b. clarity of presentation (follows précis format, defines terms, uses conversational
style and inserts 2-3 spontaneous comments)
- c. comprehensibility of handout or powerpoint presentation (less is more)
- d. ability to avoid distracting mannerisms (verbal or visual "ahs") and hold to time
- e. ability to answer audience questions by briefly rephrasing understanding of them and
getting right to the point
5. Paper in your native language (15 pts):
Shorter than a paper for publication, a talk
should generally run about 7 typed pages and include a bibliography that lists secondary sources
as well as primary texts in proper bibliographic style. Use the MLA Handbook format
for the paper and refer to the 5th edition. Avoid footnotes if possible and cite references
in the body of the paper. For the actual text transpose the précis format into a clear,
focused narrative.
6. Bibliographic assignments:
- a. Find reviews (8 pts) by checking both print (e.g., Germanistik, Internationale
Zeitschriften
Bibliographie) and internet sources (e.g., Historical Abstracts, MLA, Lexis-Nexus)
and put a brief statement illustrating the respective point of view on BLACKBOARD with correct
MLA bibliographic citation.
- b. Identify your topic and the key words you used to undertake searches (5 pts).
Identify where you looked and print out what you found, marking those references that
seem appropriate. In an appended paragraph, briefly note why you deem these sources worthy
of pursuit (the bases for your choices) and what may remain to be done. You should also consider
the degree to which the topic may need to be narrowed or refocused given these initial findings.
7. Film assignment (5 pts):
In précis format, compare what the book or play
does with what the movie shows and says. Refer to Monaco to establish such features as setting
(how episode starts, who is present/absent, visual foreground and background, etc.),
sequencing or syntax of scenes either within a given episode or between episodes, or montage
effects. The goal is to identify two contrasting or comparable features to be able to discuss
cultural implications (what audience is targeted in written/cinematic work, what author
or director responses to contemporary horizon of expectations may be inferred)
8. Pedagogical assignment (8 pts):
Use the outline or précis format for
a lesson plan identifying your class level, your goal(s), your text and page(s) to be read,
your procedures and time allotment for each, your written or other follow-up assignment.
Note that the upper division plan should be no more than a more demanding version of the
lower division work. Use the same template but fill in the blanks in according to different needs.