This creative assignment is intended to help you bring concepts from the class into your real world experiences and then to capture these connections in a more informal assignment, which allows you to apply what you have learned from the course to the area and in the medium of your choice. While the assignments were cumulatively intended to address the primary goal of the course–to bring attention to the social norms and inequalities presented in the media that we commonly overlook or take for granted–this creative assignment is intended to be a little bit of a remix. You can apply the theories and concepts of sociological cultural studies to analyze culture for this assignment, but also potentially to create popular culture.
For this assignment, you need to choose at least one sociological topic (you can draw from more than one, as desired/needed).
Apply/examine this topic in any way that helps to address an area that is important/of interest to you. This can span an array of options, such as (but limited to):
● Creating your own marketing package/commercial
● Writing a song
● Creating a YouTube instructional video (or another outlet that you can upload a link to through this assignment) – if you already have a channel, add on to it!
● Update/write a blog; draft a “zine” or magazine
● Update/create a new Wikipedia page
● Draft a pamphlet/promotional material/training guide for your area of interest (this could be where you work, aspire to work, volunteer, an organization of interest; could range from how to make your place of employment more inclusive; how to better treat patients; what to look out for in shelters/how to accommodate and connect with people; to better training guides)
● Create a game
● Create learning materials (your own, relatable teaching videos, etc.)
● Develop a short story; pitch a TV series/mini-series
● Develop a pitch for your business plan/opening up a small business
Again, this list is just supposed to show the range of options as a jumping-off point for you. Due to the variety of media I will be accepting, there is not a “rubric” for this particular assignment, especially as I know creation/production time will greatly differ. Video material needs to add up to at least 3 – 5 minutes, but can be longer. I understand an ad, for instance, needs to be quick, so you likely would need to create two (although you can contact me if the length of production time is prohibitive because of the quality you are producing; please alert me in cases where I should be alerted to behind-the-scenes issues).
Please use the medium that meets your needs and interests, helps you creatively explore and apply the theories and concepts of sociological cultural studies, and would reach your desired audience.
Additionally, in the length needed, explain the inspiration, purpose, and potential outlet/application (and potential appeal and/or extended vision, as applicable) for your work. Depending on what you are uploading, you can use the “comments” section to write this; otherwise, include this in the document you are uploading.
