ANTH 305

Anthropology of the Arts

Evaluation & Assignments

[ANTH 305][Website critique][In-class response]
[Annotated bibliography][Final project][Bottom]

Participation & Attendance (20%):  After the first two weeks, a sign-in sheet will be circulated.  Attendance is required.  If you sign-in and depart, this will be noted.  If you are absent, you cannot participate. (See MUC Calendar 2005-07, General Regulations--Attendance, p.27.)

Active participation is contributing to class discussion.  Credit will not be given to verbose individuals who enjoy the sound of their voices.  I am interested in the quality of comments and/or questions raised during discussion.  Be an informed participant, i.e., read the assigned articles.  For the poster presentations, you will be required to critique one poster by completing a peer evaluation, including comment(s).

At the end of week 3 and 6, please submit a self-evaluation of your participation (no more than 250-300 words: hard copy or through Moodle). As criteria, consider:

1. Have you been an active and informed participant in the class? (engage in discussion in a constructive manner, read the articles, regular attendance)
2. In group work, did you work with and help your fellow students? Did you do your share of the work?
3. Did you refrain from engaging in disruptive activities during class (i.e., being late, commenting out of turn, dominating discussion, etc.)?

Do not obsess over the writing of this; be reflective and honest about your participation.

For those who are less confident about speaking in class, you can still participate through Moodle.  Each student is expected to contribute to the various discussion topics (minimum of four posts), either by posting a relevant article, or commenting on one submitted by a classmate.  The latter should be a substantive comment, i.e., an informed opinion, not one that states agreement.  Posting of a website is acceptable but it should not be the one used for your critique.  If a website is posted, annotate it (i.e., what is it about, how useful is it).  At least TWO posts must be substantive.

I will be posting questions on Moodle for you to respond. The quality of your comment matters.

To receive full credit for participation, you must 1) attend class, 2) participate fully in class activities (discussion, evaluation, etc.), 3) provide two self-assessments of participation, and 4) post to Moodle.

Website analysis and/or critique (15%):  Each student will investigate one rock-art website on any topic with a regional focus as in the course: North America, Africa, or Australia.  Your critique is to be based on the accuracy of the information and authority of the particular site (follow the guidelines for "Evaluating Web Pages").  It should be no more than 3-4 pages in length.  To ensure that you submit your best work, review "On Writing" to eliminate the most common errors in student papers.

A summary statement (paragraph) with URL is to be posted to Moodle. Critique and posting are worth 15% of your grade; this posting is IN ADDITION to those for your general participation mark. If you use any references, they MUST be cited.

The purpose of this assignment is to emphasize the need to be critical in the use of web resources and to share this knowledge with those who might like to use such information for their poster or presentation.

  DUE:  May 15

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Annotated Bibliography (10%):  In preparation for the final project, students are to pair themselves to begin research on a rock-art topic (same regional focus of this course).  You may want to consider a topic that has not been adequately covered in the course, such as, dating methods, conservation, or  eco-tourism.  You should have a minimum of 7-10 references.  Depending on the topic, there should be a mix of articles and books or book chapters.  Follow citation references according to the American Anthropological Association Style Guide. If you are having trouble finding sources, please see me.  Refer to my comments on "Using Internet Resources"; books or articles are the best sources.  Do NOT just use Internet resources!

Annotated bibliographies provide full citation sources, PLUS some form of brief summary or annotation of assessment. Remember to alphabetize these. For further information regarding annotated bibliographies, go to: Cornell University Library, or Purdue University On Line Writing Lab, or Writing at the University of Toronto.

Topics MUST be approved (week 3) for your final project and are to be problem-based.  A solely descriptive poster or presentation will NOT be acceptable.  At the time of submitting your annotated bibliography, include the title and a statement on the topic (short paragraph).

  DUE:  June 5

In-Class Response to Video (10%):  After viewing Graffiti Verité and/or City Space, you will be asked a general question to respond in class.  Your response should incorporate what you have learned over the semester, as well as being an opinion.

opin-ion \ ə-'pin-yə n \ n. 1 a: a view, judgment, or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular matter. 
         (Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary 11th Edition)

Your response is to be written as an essay and be grammatically correct.  Spelling will not count.  You will be evaluated on critical thinking and understanding of the course content.

  DUE:  June 10

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  Poster Presentation:  Academic conferences regularly accept poster presentations as a means of circulating information quickly and conveniently. It allows for more presenters than the usual forum of three to six speakers per session. This assignment will force you to be concise and to the point in stating: your problem, research, analysis and/or interpretation, and conclusion.

Each group of two students will indicate the rationale for their poster (no more than two minutes) and then respond to one or two questions (total presentation, maximum of five minutes).  While the posters are on display, poster presenters should be ready to respond to any questions from their peers.  Remember each student will be critiquing ONE other student's poster, as part of his/her participation mark.

Remember that an effective poster is visually interesting as well as informative. All text (even though highly informative) is not likely to invite an audience. Your task is to attract someone to a subject that interests you.  

As with any research project, you need to cite sources (for images, as well as, the usual written information).  A final bibliography is to be attached (your mark will be affected without it).

Use a standard fold-out presentation board (48"x36") like those available at Staples or Michaels.

  Research Presentation:  Your presentation is based on the annotated bibliography.  A final bibliography is to be submitted the day of your presentation (your mark will be affected without it).  Generally, any and all forms of media can be used in your presentation; it must be visual.  Your presentation will be approximately 15 minutes, with five minutes for discussion. There is NO paper, so your evaluation is based solely on the presentation.  For this reason, you need to use your time wisely to make your argument or point(s).

Expectations:  Although your presentation is to include visual aids, content is still the area in which you should devote your greatest attention.  A presentation with lots of "flash" illustrates that you know how to use technology; if there is no substance behind the flash, then your mark will reflect this. You will be graded on

   DUE:  June 12
(June 17, if necessary)