Final Project = 25% of semester grade
Timeline for the Final Project
Project Goal:
The goal of the project is to develop an individual or group digital project using one or a combination of media (see details below).
The project will involve designing and implementing a visualization of data that allows you to answer questions you have about some topic of your own choosing. The “data” can be quantitative or qualitative, and can be drawn from various types of texts.
The topic should related to the Susquehanna Country in one or more of the following ways:
–Focus on a primary text that we have studied in the course that is directly related to the Susquehanna Country (Shamokin Diaries, The Deerslayer, Rural Hours);
–Focus on study of a place in the region that we have visited, or that you would like to study;
–Relation to one or more of the three main questions of the class (from our syllabus) as applied to the Susquehanna Country:
- What defines a region, what is a region?
- How are differences (or overlaps) between “native” and “settler” cultures best understood?
- What are the ethics of studying and presenting cultural landscapes, especially through digital means?
Process:
- You will acquire the data, design your project, implement it using web (possibly including video) frameworks, and evaluate the results. You can build on previous introductory projects, including your Omeka collection, but realize that the final project will need to be more in-depth.
- You may create your own public website for your final project using a WordPress frame or another platform you are familiar with.
- This project will demonstrate understanding of the principles of visual narrative and narrative structure in data visualization
- For a single student there must be (1) a demonstrated competence in at least one medium (from among those we have used in class); or for a collaborative project (between two students) demonstrated competence in least two of the digital visualization methodologies. Screenshots should demonstrate process, experimentation, mastery, complications, difficulties and challenges, how these were met – and hopefully overcome. If using video, the screenshots can illustrate video compilation and editing.
- Explanation about why particular method or tool was chosen
- determination of method/tool’s effectiveness in addressing research question
You must meet with the instructors to discuss your ideas before you can proceed with the project
Short in-class presentation of final project 10% (3-5 minutes long) that is an articulation of research question, reason why this tool was chosen, whether or not it achieved the sought for answer to research question, demonstration of its function/argument as distinct because of the tool/approach
Final project submission is on the final exam date.
A draft artifact for peer review must be ready to share with the class and instructors before the last week of classes.
Submission consists of:
- artifact. A submitted artifact includes all necessary files and folders made available to instructor via browser interface.
- reflection essay Blog Post #6 (1000 words) that includes a clear statement of your research question and methodology, problems met along the way and solutions
- You must document the process that leads to the completion of your project. Take screenshots of each significant phase of your project’s development (at least 5 screenshots from design to completion).
- bibliography, works cited, webography
You will be graded according to the following guidelines:
Rhetorical Awareness: Content-framing of argument considers audience, message, and medium (artifact and essay): i.e. Storytelling and accessibility for a public audience on campus and in the region, not merely for instructors or for the class. 25%
Stance and Support: Central claim is duly supported by evidence drawn from the core text, from readings, and from sample projects (essay); i.e. Evidence of original research 20%
Organization: Clear structure demonstrates presentation of research question, critical analysis through method, and moves logically from introduction to conclusion (artifact and essay). Clarity of final presentation to the class 15%
Conventions: Professional standards; skillful integration of core text and secondary sources – including citation (artifact and essay) 20%
Design for Medium: Well-chosen design and technical style, which features enhance audience motivation and participation (digital “hooks” in the artifact) 20%
For Group projects: Peer Team Assessment
It is important to provide positive feedback to people who truly worked hard for the good of the team and to also make suggestions to those you perceived not to be working as effectively on team tasks. We ask you to provide an honest assessment of the contributions of the members of your team, including yourself. The feedback you provide should reflect your judgment of each team member’s:
- Preparation – were they prepared during team meetings?
- Contribution – did they contribute productively to the team discussion and work?
- Respect for others’ ideas – did they encourage others to contribute their ideas?
- Flexibility – were they flexible when disagreements occurred?
Your teammate’s assessment of your contributions and the accuracy of your self-assessment will be considered as part of your overall project score. Please submit your peer team assessment with your final project as an email attachment to Prof. Faull and Prof. Siewers