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Theory and Cultural History of 20th Century Media
ENGL 236 - Winter 2002,  William Warner


Short seminar presentation: each student will offer a short (5 page, 10 minute) discussion of a topic related to one of the course readings.
Progress report on research project: Due Feb 18
Final research paper with supporting web shell: Due March 15


Short seminar presentation
Due: Variable

Seminar presentation: This short, informal seminar presentation will focus on one of the texts assigned on the syllabus, offering a brief overview of the main themes of the reading, giving an example of how these ideas might be used to interpret a specific media form (a print text, a movie, a radio show, a web site), and, in conclusion, you can articulate some critical issues and questions for seminar discussion. Please write up this presentation in advance, so it can be distributed and read to the seminar. [5 typed pages/ 10 minutes] Take risks and have fun!

 

Progress report on research project
Due: Febrary 19 Supper Meeting

In this brief web show-and-tell, you will offer an overview of your topic, the scope of the project, its "texts" and the questions you are developing for your final seminar project. This will enable you to get some response to everything from your ideas and souces, to the design choices you have made for your web site.

 

Final Research Paper with Web component
Due: Friday March 15

Seminar project: web page and term paper. This assignment is at the center of your work for the seminar. It begins with selecting a particular medium for specialization (print, film, radio, television or digital), and studying that medium through one or more theoretical approach (that of Benjamin, McLuhan, Frankfurt School, etc.), or set of historical coordinates (e.g. David Sarnoff on radio; TV through ads in magazines). Your web site and paper should focus on one media text of your own choosing (e.g. a film like Metropolis, a TV series like The Sopranos, a web site, etc.), and use the history and theory of media as a way to interpret that text, and use that media text as a way to test your understanding of that media theory and/or media history. It is up to you what sort of supporting materials you develop on your website (images, hypertext links to sibling sites, tables, chronologies, navigation schemes). However, one part of your web site will be the 12-15 page essay you write for your final paper; and another will be a brief bibliography of texts and links on your topic. By the paper due-date (March 15), please submit a hardcopy version of your paper, along with a backup disk of your web-site.

 

 

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