Each project consists of four elements: the proposal (including a preliminary bibliography, due week 5), the project itself, and a process essay and annotated bibliography of all sources consulted (due week 10). The purpose of the project is to help you recognize the role of myths and their interpretation in the creative process and to relate what you learn in this class to your particular field. Students must also engage in meaningful research into topics appropriate to the course objectives.

Developing good research skills is a priority in this class, because the ability to locate high-quality resources and reliable information constitutes an important professional skill. The ability to make use of research results is reflected in the quality of your final project and its process essay. Since the purpose of the project is, in part, to enhance your research skills, be sure to choose a topic about which you do not already know a great deal.

Please pay careful attention to each component of these guidelines. Failure to accomplish any part of the assignment will result in a significant lowering of possible points; the project in its entirety accounts for 50% of your grade for this class, and it must be submitted in order for you to pass.

To ensure the success of this endeavor, I will hold a project development and research workshop week 4, and a writing and project finalization workshop week 9. For the week 9 workshop, please bring in process essays for critique, as well as finished or nearly-complete projects for evaluation and trouble-shooting.

The final project consists of the following essential elements:

PROPOSAL: By week 5, you must submit a 1.5 to 2-page essay (double-spaced) describing the project you would like to undertake in as much detail as you can provide. I strongly suggest that you discuss your project with me before week 5, especially if you plan to begin work immediately. The proposal must clearly indicate the topic and scope of the project you intend to undertake, why you have chosen a particular myth, archetype, etc. as your subject, and how you plan to complete the project. If this project will be used to satisfy the requirements of another course, indicate which course and the name of the instructor. I will discuss proposed projects with the instructor(s) involved.

Projects may be undertaken in small groups, and a group proposal that clearly outlines each member's role in the project may be submitted, along with a group contract that commits each member to that role. I will discuss group projects with members during class week 5. Each member of a group is responsible for his or her own separate process essay when the project is complete.

All projects require research in some form in order to be successful. The proposal and its bibliography will indicate to me whether or not you have thought carefully about your project, designed it well, and have embarked on a suitable research plan that will ensure its completion by the end of the quarter. The annotated bibliography consists of a properly constructed list of the sources you have consulted, with comments about how you plan to use them, or about their value to your research. Any internet sources (except those linked on this website) must accounted for on an website evaluation worksheet, and copies of any journal articles (whether in print or from a database), printouts, etc., should be included in the folder if you would like my input. The bibliography itself must be formatted in Modern Language Association (MLA) style. This link will lead you to information about MLA format. Be sure to consult my guidelines for written work for essay format criteria.

On your bibliography, you must list a minimum of five items, from a variety of media. However, the more you include, the better, because a substantial bibliography will indicate sufficient research and a commitment to doing a good job on the project. Suitable sources include books, periodicals, films and videos, sound recordings, the internet, CD ROMs, and articles obtained from database searches. They do not include standard encyclopedias (including Wikipedia) and general-purpose dictionaries, Cliffs Notes, etc. Since you will be referring to these sources as your project develops, collect copies of as many of them as possible. If you would like me to help you confirm their value to your research, include them in the folder with your proposal and bibliography; they will be returned to you the following week if your proposal is submitted on time.

All items must be submitted in a simple pocket folder, with your proposal and the bibliography at the front. The remainder of the packet should consist of website evaluation sheets, printouts of internet material or articles, copies of journal articles, or other items that might help me assess the quality of your preliminary research. Be sure to note bibliographical information on all items (author, title, journal or web address, etc.) so you don't forget where they came from.

PROPOSAL AND BIBLIOGRAPHY CHECKLIST

The following items make up the portfolio and are due Week 5:

A pocket folder large enough to contain all the required materials (no 3-ring binders, please).

The proposal essay.

Your preliminary bibliography in MLA style.

Evaluation sheets for all internet sources (except those that I have linked on my pages).

Photocopies or printouts of any materials you've gathered that might help me assess the probable success of what you propose, or that you would like me to help you evaluate.

Note: The proposal essay, its bibliography, and the worksheet from week 4's research workshop together count for 15% of your grade and will provide the primary means of assessing midterm grades in this class. Additional midterm assessment tools include participation/attendance, and your workbook or first question set.

THE PROJECT ITSELF: Since many projects are potential portfolio pieces, approach your task accordingly. Try to choose a meaningful project in the first place, and pursue your research with careful consideration. Make sure you possess the skills necessary to complete the project in a professional manner, and try to use it as a way to enhance the skills you are developing here at AiDallas. Students undertaking computer-based projects must be prepared to show their work in PC format, and provide a PC compatible CD-ROM or DVD with any necessary projectors, players, or .exe files so that I can access the project in my office or at home. I will be happy to critique your work at any time before week 10 in order to help you improve the final result. Try to have as much done as possible in time for the week 9 project completion workshop.

Because of space limitations, I am impressed favorably by portability and compactness. ID students might want to think about smaller versions of presentation boards; one of my former students actually invented a portable presentation "case" that could contain interchangeable elements. A binder with spaces for different project elements would be just fine; if you want to be able to use your work for portfolio purposes, however, feel free to use whatever means you see fit to display the results.

The project may consist of illustrations, themed interior designs, fashion collections, short (no more than five minutes maximum) films or animations, sculptures, advertising campaigns, artist's books, or multi-media presentations (such as websites). I'm open to suggestions as long as they represent a sufficient amount of effort at research and execution to warrant a passing grade in an upper-level humanities elective class.

You will be expected to present and discuss your project results during the term-end exhibition. Prepare a short talk (based on your process essay), and illustrate it if necessary with .pdf or PowerPoint slides to show the class how your project developed--as well as how it expresses your understanding of myth as we have explored it during the quarter. Graduating students must have completed all aspects of their projects by week 10 so that grades can be entered in time to meet Registrars' deadlines.

THE PROCESS ESSAY: In two to three double-spaced pages, describe the process of completing your project, from its inception (how did you come to choose the topic?), through its development (what kinds of creative choices did you make?), to its termination (what do you think of it? What would you do differently?). Then place your project within the parameters of myth as we have discussed it during this quarter? This aspect of the project is extremely important, because the project itself can go "wrong"--what you started out to do may not be what you end up with. Too, projects that are conceived of as potential portfolio pieces (especially in computer animation and web design) may not be complete by the end of this quarter. The essay is designed to help fill in any "blank spaces" and to keep you conscious of the creative process as you experience it. I strongly suggest that you keep a notebook or journal in which you include observations, inspirations, details of construction, changes of plan, etc., and to use it as the basis for your essay; this may be included in the folder with your process essay.

Do not write a research paper and do not underestimate the value of this essay: it counts for 10% of your grade (the same weight given to the project and evidence of research), and can make or break a marginal effort. The essay must be submitted in a pocket folder to accompany the project itself (if it will fit, put the actual project in the folder). Projects consisting of computer-generated models, images, etc. should include screen shots of important aspects of the project, in case it gets separated from your folder. You must also include my Week 5 evaluation and your proposal to help me evaluate your progress. Finally, the complete, annotated, properly formatted bibliography that reflects the research undertaken to complete the project, must also be placed in the folder with the essay.

Completed projects will be returned week 11 with comments and an evaluation sheet.

FINAL PROJECT CHECKLIST

A folder large enough to contain the process essay, plus the original proposal and evaluation sheet, and screen shots, thumbnails, or other supporting materials that can augment the process essay.

The process essay, and annotated bibliography. If your project was completed as a group, each member must submit a separate process essay.

The completed project, in as compact a form as possible.

Any questions should be brought up as soon as they occur--either in class, or by e-mail. I would like this project to engage you creatively and for you to enjoy it, as well as learn from it. If problems occur, please notify me so I can help solve them.

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04.07.10