CASE STUDY GUIDELINES:
Proposals Due: Thursday, February 28th.
Final Case Study Due: Tuesday, March 11th.
This case-study essay should be approximately 4-5 pages of writing that focuses on some observable contemporary cultural artifact or phenomenon of your choosing and incorporates both field research and at least two outside sources. You must start with a question that you want to answer or a problem you want to explore. You will need to spend some time observing this artifact or phenomenon, tying your observations into your understanding of how it either informs or reflects popular culture, and conducting research that will either support or explain your observations.
Before you begin working on this case study, and after your question has been approved, you will need to turn in a one to two page proposal that clearly outlines what you anticipate writing about and how. Use the following questions to help you organize your proposal.
Case Study Proposal:
1. What is the question you propose to answer or problem you propose to explore? (whatever you turned in that was approved)
2. Briefly describe the nature of the problem or issue you are exploring. What main problem or issues exists, and why does it necessitate further exploration? What is the relevance of this issue, problem, or question to society? In other words, why does studing this artifact or phenomenon matter?
3. Field approach: how do you intend to identify and observe this artifact or phenomenon? Where do you expect to find this artifact or phenomenon?
4. Analysis and Evaluation: how do you propose to analyze and evaluate this artifact or phenomenon? What sources do you anticipate using to help explain your artifact? What key ideas or concepts will you use to strategically evaluate this artifact (such as what we've talked about in class - appeals of advertising, cultural influences behind myths and legends, "signs" of popular culture, the making of American icons and idols, gender issues, race and ethnicity issues, elements that inform or reflect food culture, etc.).
Final Case Study Essay: after your proposal has been approved, you may conduct your field research (visit whatever site you proposed to visit to make observations, or carefully consider your artifact and its context/s) and begin your research in earnest. See the following guidelines to assist your field work, research, and the writing of your final essay.
Criteria for evaluation: Regardless of the question you choose to answer or the issue/problem you choose to explore, I will be grading your final case study in terms of how well you make your argument, as well as how well you base your argument on a combination of field observation and textual evidence (research and analysis). Every statement you make MUST be backed up with some textual evidence (quotes from reliable scholarly sources, a close analysis of the text or image itself with explanations as to why your analysis supports your argument, and/or statistics).
I also will be evaluating the coherence, validity, and persuasiveness of your paper's argument, the effectiveness of your paper's structure in advancing your arguments, and the quality of your prose (grammar, syntax, and punctuation).
I will go over how to conduct your field work and research in class. If you have any questions at any time, however, do not hestitate to ! I cannot help you if you do not let me know if you are having difficulty or not sure about how to approach this assignment.
Essay Format Guidelines:
- All papers must be typed double spaced, with margins of one inch on each side of the page and in a font no larger than 12, have your name, the course name, the instructor's name, and date, and be properly paginated. Be sure you give your paper a title (of your own).
- Handwritten papers will not be accepted.
- Each day your paper is late (not each class period, but each DAY), your grade will drop by a full letter grade.
- If you have any questions at any time, do not hesitate to or set up an appointment with me to discuss your paper. I cannot help you work through a problem or issue if you do not ask. I am also more than willing to read drafts, excerpts, or view outlines of ideas.
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