Dear Students,

This week you will begin shaping your final projects by writing a short proposal for what you would like to do. No worries, this is a just a start! Next week’s project step will help you build on this proposal after receiving feedback during grading. You will still be able to change your topic after this point if you wish, but it will save you a lot of time if you pick a topic in these weeks and follow through with it. You’ll find that the efforts will be much easier with this preliminary work in place beforehand.

If you have not done so yet, please read through the project description found in the module this week before continuing so you can get a sense of how this step will support your submission. For excellent examples of what I’m preparing you to write, peek the ‘Example Student Essays’ in the References section of the module.

How to Complete the Assignment

1. Open the same Google document you submitted last week to compose your submission.

2. Above the submission from week 3, add the title, “Project Step 4 | Starting My Final Project Proposal”.

3. For this week’s project step you will begin framing the essay portion of your class project by writing up a proposal around a possible topic, theoretical tools and sources you intend to use.

Note: This and next week’s project steps will be similar – this one is just a start! We will work together through Google doc comments to help you shape your project and set you up for success over the next few weeks.

4. The prompts and questions for this week are as follows:

Hint: It may help to copy and paste the prompts into your Google doc to guide you. You can use your writings from past assignments here if you’d like, make sure they’re polished and answer the prompts though!

I. Pick a Topic – Remember when you wrote out some of your favorite topics and ideas about media and the environment in the form and project steps for week 1? Many of these ideas were great! You can use one of these or any other you can come up with, just make sure you pick a topic that is interesting to you! Your topic should relate to the environment, media and society in some way. Describe the topic you’re interested in looking at and why in detail here. (1+ solid paragraphs)

II. Theoretical Tools: Part 1 – Given the theoretical tools we have explored so far which ones would you like to use to examine your topic and why? So far you have considered Cultural Analysis from the Intro to Critical Media Studies book and those from How Culture Shapes the Climate Debate. Considering these theoretical tools, which ones might you use to explore your topic? Be specific and use details from the chapters! (1+ solid paragraphs)

III. Theoretical Tools: Part 2 – Look through the chapters in the Critical Media Studies book (see References in module) and identify 1 or 2 new chapters you might consider to help you explore your topic. To help you do so re-read the last section of the first, Intro chapter of the book called ‘Key Critical Perspectives’ with a summary of all chapters in the book. Skim through those chapters now to get a sense of them. Which chapters did you choose, and why? How do you think they could help you explore your topic? You do not have to read them in detail now, but do look through them to get ideas. Be specific with key points and ideas from within those chapters! (1+ solid paragraphs)

IV. Why is Your Topic Interesting? – Now that you’ve considered the theoretical tools you might use, what makes your topic interesting to media studies and why? What’s your angle? What are the issues you would like to consider around your topic in the context of media studies? Brainstorm these points in detail here. (1+ solid paragraphs)

V. Data Sources – Each week I’ve offered you a case study to consider for analysis. Though they have been short there has been a logic to them! For example, a data source can be a single item, like a movie or book, or it can be a case based around the 6 Americas, like with the Sad Polar Bear. There are many ways to develop a dataset around a topic. Consider this week’s ethnography materials for ideas! Given that… What data sources might you use to explore your topic and why? Share some starting examples here. You are of course welcome to (and expected) to draw on sources beyond what I have shared with you throughout the class. I will help you hone this through feedback. (1+ paragraphs and/or source links with descriptions)

VI. Q&A – Lastly, do you have any questions about the project or your task that I can help to clarify? Ask me anything that you believe will help you out!

5. When you’re ready to submit, copy your Google document link into the submission box for this assignment and click ‘Submit’.

~~~

Remember, this is a starting point for the deep work you are just beginning to explore. Simply do your best! Making this effort now will make completing your final project much easier in the last few weeks of class. The feedback I will share with you after submission will help you course correct if need be as well.

I hope you enjoy the assignment, and as always, feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shMFIfGM9xA#action=share

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/31/us/colorado-fracking-debates.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzD8cSm6Exg#action=share

https://www.denverpost.com/2018/11/06/colorado-proposition-112-results/

Other Videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_c1SUHTG6B8#action=share

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GxS97YQKHU#action=share

https://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story?language=en

file:///Users/austinlackey/Downloads/Digital%20ethnography%20-%20The%20next%20wave%20in%20understanding%20the%20consumer%20experience.pdf

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tudal_4x4F0#action=share

https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2019/9/12/20857196/fracking-ban-case-democrats-2020-president