TERM PAPER
KEY REQUIREMENTS: INTERESTING. 1400 WORDS MIN., DOUBLE-SPACED, 12PT. FONT.
Besides a short introduction of the chosen topic, conduct an elaborate and in-depth analysis of every possible angle that you deem relevant to the question. Your final conclusion should be thoroughly (and interestingly!) supported.
Please note that an A+ paper mark reflects original thought. An A paper is solidly written and well supported. A ‘B’ paper meets the basic requirements of the assignment (and might be a bit predictable or dull). Give yourself time to develop some interesting insights.
Your written assignment should comply with the APA format, and at least four credible sources should be used; also, use class lectures and assigned readings. The images you choose to use for this assignment can be taken from the media (newspapers, magazines, etc.), the internet, digital libraries (ARTstor, JSTOR ), library books or journal articles. Make sure to properly cite the source of the image. You are required to include copies of all images discussed in your assignment (black & white photocopies are acceptable).
BELOW ARE SOME OPTIONS FOR YOUR TERM PAPER. CHOOSE ONE.
1. Analyze either KONY 2012 or THE CORPORATION (½ hr min. segment) through the lens of theories and approaches examined in the course. How do the visual implementation, moving and still images, camera angles, editing, and other visual and cinematographic elements serve the director’s intention to raise awareness OR how does the visual construction and composition of this video serve propaganda/ideological purposes?
2. Sturken & Cartwright argue that reflexivity has become “a central aspect of postmodern style in popular culture and advertising” (Sturken & Cartwright, p. 264). What do they mean by this? Support your answer by drawing upon 3-5 examples of your choosing.
3. Choose two or three images, and discuss some of the key questions raised by Sturken and lecture content for each image. For example: What do these images want? What ideologies are present in the images? How are these images used? How is power an element in these images? Are they beautiful or ugly? How have they been re-coded over time? Include the images in the paper.
4. How are Charlie Chaplin’s “Modern Times” or “The Great Dictator” particularly relevant to today? Use support from the text and/or other sources.
5. We say that communication always involves ethical decisions. Discuss this in relation to some key images of your choice.
6. What function do visual artists (or graphic designers) play in our culture today?
7. Choose a controversial image and discuss it from different perspectives, applying Standpoint Theory, Attribution Theory, and other topics covered in the course such as power, perspective, gaze and symbolism.
8. How are images used in politics? OR Choose a key political leader and discuss how images of him/her are used by parties of differing political persuasions.
9. Discuss the use of propaganda during the pandemic.
10. Discuss the use of images during the pandemic.
11. Discuss the imagery related to in/out groups and demonizing the enemy during the pandemic.
12. How has the selfie changed the construction of identity in our culture?
13. We say that communication is always fraught with noise that gets in the way between the sender and the receiver of a given message. Discuss the noise involved in understanding images as a whole or in one specific image.
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO DISCUSS OTHER TOPICS OF INTEREST WITH THE PROFESSOR.
