COMM 4600-007

Spring 2003

Culminating Project

 

In lieu of a traditional “Final Exam” that tests you on memorization of course content, the final examination for this class will be an evaluation of the learning you have done over the course of the semester and of your capacity to a) convey your own learning to your fellow students (as a presenter) b) evaluate and constructively critique the learning of your peers (as critic) and c) reflect on, integrate, and synthesize your learning and identify remaining areas of challenge and potential growth (as respondent).

 

Toward this end, your final project/assignment will have three components.  The first, a ‘poster presentation,’ will integrate and present your understanding of key course concepts in visual format which you will be able to discuss and explain to me and to your peers.  The second, a peer-evaluation, will assess the degree to which your peers have successfully addressed the key elements of the poster assignment and reflect on how they have succeeded or not.  Finally, you will write an essay that will address three key questions as you integrate your learning and identify areas for continued work and growth. 

 

The class will be divided into four groups, as follows, for the purposes of this assignment:

Group A:         Allen, Cutsforth, Fazio, Hodge, McCaffery, Nilsen, Pride, Tindall,

Group B:         Carr, Davies, Fisher, Kilduff, McNulty, Pertel, Stortoren, Torito

 Group C:        Comerford, Dodson, Harvis, Lyons, Moore, Phillips, Strachan, Zeifman

 

Below, each of the elements of this assignment is described in greater detail:

 

Presentation (30 points)

The presentation is designed to visually represent your learning around and understanding of core course concepts.  You may use images and/or text in creating your presentation and arrange them in such a way as to demonstrate relationships, concepts and issues central to this course.  You may use images and text from popular media texts or you may collect your own photographs ‘in the field.’ You may use audio-visual media (video/ PowerPoint) or posterboard. Posters should generally not exceed 36”X48.” If you intend to use PowerPoint you MUST arrange it with me in advance. The presentation should address each of the following questions or issues: a) how does “otherness” function to both produce a particular understanding of the ‘Others’ with whom we interact and shape and define our understanding of self?; b) how do organizational micropractices produce and reproduce particular understandings of difference and define or challenge acceptable and unacceptable ranges of difference?; c) how do social and cultural institutions shape and define understandings of difference in ways that legitimate those understandings as ‘normal’ and ‘natural’; and d) how can one intervene to challenge harmful constructions and transform understanding? Each group’s presentation will be evaluated both by me, and by another group of their peers.  You will have 5-7 minutes to present and/or have your classmates view your presentation. Group A will present, and be evaluated by Group C on April 24th, Group B will present and be evaluated by Group A, on April 29th, and Group C will present and be evaluated by Group B on  May 1st. Your grade for this section will assess how you have addressed each of the three questions above (10 points per question) and reflect both my assessment, and the assessment of your peers.

 

Peer Evaluation (20 points)

As indicated above, each member of the class will complete a peer evaluation form on four other students in the class.

 

Group A will be evaluated by members of Group C

Group B will be evaluated by members of Group A

Group C will be evaluated by members of Group B

 

For each of the four evaluations, you will complete the following form:

 

 

Name:                                                                                                                                                

How does this student demonstrate how “otherness” functions to both produce a particular understanding of the ‘Others’ with whom we interact and shape and define our understanding of self?

1                 2                 3                  4                5                 6                7               8               9                10

Not at all                      Somewhat                    Fairly well                     Very Well         Extremely well         Perfectly            

 

Please explain and support this evaluation:

                                   

How does this student demonstrate how organizational micropractices produce and reproduce particular understandings of difference and define or challenge acceptable and unacceptable ranges of difference?

1                 2                 3                  4                5                 6                7               8               9                10

Not at all                      Somewhat                    Fairly well                     Very Well         Extremely well         Perfectly            

 

Please explain and support this evaluation:

 

How does this student demonstrate how social and cultural institutions shape and define understandings of difference in ways that legitimate those understandings as ‘normal’ and ‘natural’?

1                 2                 3                  4                5                 6                7               8               9                10

Not at all                      Somewhat                    Fairly well                     Very Well         Extremely well         Perfectly            

 

Please explain and support this evaluation:

 

How does this student demonstrate how one can intervene to challenge harmful constructions and transform understanding?

1                 2                 3                  4                5                 6                7               8               9                10

Not at all                      Somewhat                    Fairly well                     Very Well         Extremely well         Perfectly            

 

Please explain and support this evaluation:

 

 

 

This evaluation will both serve as a ‘check and balance’ to my evaluation of your peers’ posters and will count 20 points toward your own exam grade (5 points per evaluation) based on your ability to critically evaluate the material presented by your peers.

 

Reflection Essay (50 points)

This essay will serve as a ‘check and balance’ to my and your peers’ evaluations of your poster presentation and will demonstrate your capacity to integrate and synthesize your learning from this class.  The essay will address each of the following questions: a) Explain the choices you made in constructing your poster presentation and how it addressed each of the three questions it was intended to address (why did you choose the images/text that you chose and why did you organize them as you did?)(20 points); b) Compare and contrast your presentation to that of the peers whom you evaluated: What choices and representations paralleled your own? What choices and representations provoked or challenged your own thinking? (20 points) c) Reflect on your own learning about social constructions of difference in this class.  In what areas have you been most challenged or do you feel you have the most room to grow?  Why do you think this is? Use course concepts to explore this question. This portion of the exam will be completed as a take-home essay AFTER YOU HAVE SEEN ALL IN-CLASS PRESENTATIONS and should be submitted to me electronically no later than 7pm Saturday, May 3rd, 2003.