NAMES:

 

PROJECT FORMAT:

 

Category

Value

Mark

Research Paper Guidelines

Present your topic clearly and explain why you think this topic is worth studying and how it fits with course themes. Provide details on whether you are identifying general patterns and relationships, testing and refining theories (e.g. about the public sphere, civic engagement, the changing relationship between government & citizens), making predictions, interpreting culturally or historically significant phenomena (e.g. changes in a set of Web sites over time), or advancing new theories.  State some clear hypotheses, and provide evidence to back up your answer. Include some critical commentary about the condition of democracy in the U.S. (or another country if appropriate), civic engagement, or the changing relationship between political elites (i.e. elected officials, campaigns/parties, or political professionals) & citizens in relation to your topic.  For a research paper, this will mean defining how you think a healthy democracy should function and analyzing how some online content and current Web practices by political actors may (or does) degrade or support your democratic ideals.

 

30

 

Political Web Site Guidelines

Include some critical commentary about the condition of democracy in the U.S. (or another country if appropriate), civic engagement, or the changing relationship between political elites (i.e. elected officials, campaigns/parties, or political professionals) & citizens in relation to the issue/entity that is the focus of your site. This will mean situating your Web site in the context of the other high-traffic Web sites in your issue/election area.  You should assess the good and bad qualities of the other content you find online and the Web practices of other political actors in relation to your issue/entity, responding substantively to the political points others raise but also to the online communication tools that other political actors use.

 

 

Portfolio Project Guidelines

 Present your topic clearly and explain why you think this topic is worth studying and how it fits with course themes. Explain your rationale and method for selecting the set of sites you are analyzing. Provide details on whether you are identifying general patterns and relationships, testing and refining theories (e.g. about the public sphere, civic engagement, and/or the changing relationship between government & citizens), making predictions, interpreting culturally or historically significant phenomena or advancing new theories.  State some clear hypotheses, and provide evidence to back up your answer. Include some critical commentary about the condition of democracy in the U.S. (or another country if appropriate), civic engagement, or the changing relationship between political elites (i.e. elected officials, campaigns/parties, or political professionals) & citizens in relation to the issue/entity that is the focus of your portfolio.  In general, how did the sites you analyzed enhance or detract from your ideal type of democracy? If you analyzed a particular issue area, was online debate rigorous and constructive?

 

Originality

Good description of research questions / case / argument.  Relates findings to class themes / readings / discussions.  Uses ideas from class readings on politic & technology and Web practices but goes beyond with own ideas about healthy public sphere or democracy and own critiques of Web site content and Web practices of political actors as appropriate.

10

 

Format and Spelling

Quality of writing, no typos or run-on sentences. Properly formatted references and bibliography.  Papers:  double spacing, 12 point font, 1 inch margins, sensible subheadings, at least 3500 words of original analysis.  Web sites & Portfolios:  sensible index, no broken links, dead images, at least 2500 words original analysis. 

10

 

Presentation

Manage time well.  Distribute an outline.  Good description of research questions / case / argument.  Relate findings to class themes / readings / discussions. Good visual aids/illustrations.

10

 

 

 

 

TOTAL

60

 

 

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