ENG 1021: Topic Proposal for Researched Academic Project
The topic proposal is your group's written commitment to me to a specific focus for your researched academic project this term.
Choosing an appropriate subject is a critical step in the success of your project. It can be also one of the more difficult steps. So plan to allot a few days to consider ideas, investigate availability of relevant materials, and get feedback from instructor and librarians as you begin any research assignment. You can make contact now with a research librarian at the J&W Library. Your personal librarian is Laura McShane.
One of the goals of this course is to help you improve your skills in critical analysis by articulating your original insights and by organizing and polishing formal presentations of them.
Remember that the general purpose of the research assignment is to argue/persuade; more specifically, however, you need to begin by reading Quentin Cooper’s BBC article and Charlie Jane Anders’ compilation of famous definitions. Next, pick one of the definitions on Anders’ list. Consider how it might or might not support Cooper’s assertion that we cannot “unambiguously” portray science fiction. You will ultimately agree or disagree with Cooper at some point in your research paper
Next, your group will need to choose a Black Mirror episode that you can watch together and look for ways you may use its content support the definition you chose.
Your claim/ thesis should be something along the lines of “<PERSON X>’s definition (from one of the links above) is strongest because it incorporates <themes x or y>, as seen in the <Director's name and episode title of Black Mirror episode>”. Your claim/thesis should not be your own proposed, synthesized definition combining ideas from multiple sources.
NOTE: FOR YOUR CLAIM, YOU ARE CONNECTING WHAT YOU SEE AS THE MOST IMPORTANT THEMES FROM THE STORY TO THE DEFINITION YOU'VE CHOSEN BECAUSE YOU ARE USING THE STORIES AS PROOF/EVIDENCE THAT THIS IS THE BEST DEFINITION OF SCIENCE FICTION.
After you have read the Anders and Cooper pieces, explored some databases, browsed through some books and journals, and discussed each of the attempted definitions for science fiction, it is time to commit to the topic that you plan to work with for your research project by taking a stance on the subject.
Your proposal should be 5 detailed paragraphs that respond to the following five items (one idea per paragraph ):
PARAGRAPH 1. Identify the definition of science fiction that your group has chosen from Anders' list and explain why you selected it. Provide the claim that you have developed in your group (in the format: “<PERSON X>’s definition (from Anders' list) is strongest because it incorporates <ideas x or y>, as seen in the <insert director's name and insert title of Black Mirror episode>”.
NOTE: THIS IS YOUR "WORKING" CLAIM. It will, however, likely change as your read the sources that you find and discuss them in your group (especially ideas x or y).
PARAGRAPH 2: Why do you think reasons x and/or y from your Black Mirror episode are your strongest reasons for supporting Person X's definition? What are some supporting examples from your text(s) that you feel you can use to support reasons x and/or y? Briefly explain how they illustrate the ideas from person X's definition.
PARAGRAPH 3. Consider how your definition from Anders' list might or might not support Cooper’s assertion that we cannot “unambiguously” portray science fiction. Explain.
PARAGRAPH 4. Explain where you plan to find your information. Explain where you plan to find your information. Name specific databases and locations where you think will look.
PARAGRAPH 5: Explain your plan for managing the work load in your group and for ensuring that each group member actively contributes to the project. Be specific. Will you have a "project manager?" What are the tentative goals for each of the days of this project? Show me your plan.
Be sure that your proposal is typed, double-spaced, & Times New Roman Font, 12 point.
The completed proposal must be submitted to ULEARN.
SUBMIT ONE COPY FOR YOUR GROUP.
This is how your proposal will be graded:
Total Points: 5/
Identify the definition of science fiction that your group has chosen from Anders' list and explain why you selected it. Provide the claim that you have developed in your group (in the format: “<PERSON X>’s definition (from Anders' list) is strongest because it incorporates <ideas x or y>, as seen in the <insert director's name and insert title of Black Mirror episode>”. (2 points)
Why do you think reasons x and/or y from your Black Mirror episode are your strongest reasons for supporting Person X's definition? What are some supporting examples from your text(s) that you feel you can use to support reasons x and/or y? Briefly explain how they illustrate the ideas from person X's definition.(1 point)
Consider how your definition from Anders' list might or might not support Cooper’s assertion that we cannot “unambiguously” portray science fiction. Explain.
(.5 point).
Explain where you plan to find your information. Explain where you plan to find your information. Name specific databases and locations where you think will look.
(.5 point)
Explain your plan for managing the work load in your group and for ensuring that each group member actively contributes to the project. Be specific. Will you have a "project manager?" What are the tentative goals for each of the days of this project? Show me your plan. (1 point).
Grading Scale:
A 5
B 4
C 3
D 2
F 0-1
