Overview
Final project (25%): Students will first write a proposal for a final project (15 of the 250 points will be for the proposal itself). The proposal will outline what kind of project the final project they have decided to carry out. Students are allowed to choose from one of the following options: 1) a research paper of an ethnic studies-related topic covered during the course. The research paper should be approximately 1,500 words; 2) a creative writing project on an ethnic studies-related theme covered during the course (i.e. a racial autobiography, graphic novel etc.). 3) another format project on an ethnic studies-related theme covered during the course. (i.e. documentary film, video collection of interviews, etc.). Projects without approved proposals run the risk of not being accepted. Proposals differing greatly from the originally approved projects will not be accepted without renewed approval. Students are expected to incorporate feedback received on their proposals in their final projects.
All projects, even those that fall under the creative options, are expected to submit a Works Cited/Bibliography with a minimum of 4-5 academic sources, including at least one of the readings from the class. Non-academic sources and sources outside of the course materials are welcome and encouraged in addition to the required 4-5 academic sources. Your bibliography should reflect the genealogy of thought and/or historical, social, or political context for your project. The citations can be provided in either APA, MLA, or Chicago-style formats.
Research papers must reference each of their sources in their papers using proper in-text citations. Even when not using a direct quote, information gleaned from sources must be properly cited. In-text citations with page numbers should be provided for direct quotations but parenthetical citations should also be included for any references to new information that you gained from sources that you did not know on your own, even if it is not a direct quotation. You should always be sure to give credit where it is due to wherever you gained your knowledge from! Please see me for more information if you are unfamiliar with proper citation practices.
Creative projects must submit an annotated bibliography. This means your bibliography should have a brief summary of each of the 4-5 required academic sources that were the backbone of your project. Again, even if your project is creative, it did not materialize from out of thin air. Your sources should show us that you understand the cultural, historical, social context from which your creative project arose, or the creative or social processes that creators go through to produce the types of work you made for your project.