[UN]ESSAY​

 

Instructions:                                                                                                        For your final, you may choose to submit a traditional research paper (7-8 pages, 12pt font, double-spaced, 1 inch margins) OR an Unessay + annotated bibliography. Regarding form, the unessay project is very flexible, and it strives to highlight the interests and skills of each student. [Un]essays include (but are not limited to) art, music, creative writing, physical models, BuzzFeed lists/quizzes, video game design, graphic novels, documentaries, marketing campaigns, script writing, filmmaking, a Tumblr page, or any other creative way to demonstrate the student’s research and understanding of course content.

​

While the [Un]essay promotes creativity, this assignment has a few requirements:

​

1. Presentation of proposal (in-class workshop - Monday, 25 October) 

2. Submission of proposal on BB (due by midnight on Friday, 12 November)

3. Presentation of [Un]essay project (during class, Monday, 22 November, Monday, 29 November, & Thursday, 2 December. Sign up here.

4. Submission of completed [Un]essay on BB (due by 4:45 on Monday, 13 December)

5. Submission of annotated bibliography of at least 5 sources consulted while creating your [Un]essay on BB. At least 3 sources must be outside sources (due by 4:45 on Monday, 13 December)

​​

Students can earn 1 bonus point by submitting (via email or a #tweet- @italyonscreen) a photo of them sharing their unessay with a friend, partner, or family member. Late submission of any portion of this assignment will result in a 5% deduction per day (for each late submission)

​

​

 

Potential [Un]essays

 

25-Minute Podcast

• must submit notes/script

• must include at least three related topics to explore in future podcasts

• check out these resources: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aup6AOsIg-Q; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZs1uY1d19Q

 

Wikipedia Page Revision

• must provide evidence that all sources and information on the current page were checked for validity (edited if necessary)

• must add at least 1500 words of new content with footnotes to bibliography

• check out these resources: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7yXx3YbcNI; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_k_VbCDm2

 

Zine (a self-published mini magazine)

• must include visuals and text

• must include at least 24 pages/panels

• check out these resources: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9INUang4oMA; https://vimeo.com/18312616

 

Pop-Up (Music) Video Project (based on the VH1 television show)

• analysis of a (music) video not viewed in class with at least 20 annotated “pop-up” bubbles

• requires knowledge of EDIUS 6 software

• check out these resources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pop-Up_Video; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fd29HRvOu_Q; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6nv9rxAs84

 

Social Media Case Study

• analysis of a recurring theme/issue/debate featured on the social media sites of a particular person, organization, association

• requires submission of audiovisual media analyzed (Tumblr, PowerPoint, Prezi, flipbook, website)

​

​