The final project for this course is meant to be a true capstone, a project that captures your evolving interests and knowledge, passions and skills. The final project could be any number of things: a website, a series of data visualizations, a 15-page paper, a video essay, an interactive timeline, a libretto, a collage. Regardless of the form the artifact eventually takes, the driving idea is that it will be original, it will be yours, and it will showcase the kinds of skills and knowledge you’ve gained not just in this course, but in your time here at the College.
Our projects, however, will retain certain key features: they will be deeply researched (non-traditional outcomes must also have a documented research background and explanatory essay to accompany them); they will go through a number of peer and professor revisions as the classroom shifts, in the last quarter of the semester, into more of a collaborative workshop; and, of course, they must deal in some way with Whitman and his influence broadly considered: in poetry, in literature, in art, in movies, in media, in cyberspace.
The first step in this process is an informal proposal, which you will post to the blog. The post should be around 300 words and should include:
- A dynamic intro that frames your idea.
- A description of your topic or idea, including the shape the final project might make. Make sure you note not only what your topic is, but why you are choosing to pursue it.
- An explanation of what you will need to learn about and research as you build your project. This part is essential as no one’s project exists in a vacuum. Even if your project involves production of something more like a primary document (a poem, a story, a digital artifact) that project exists in a history of appropriations of Whitman and Whitmanian themes in myriad media. We are all joining a certain Whitmanian tradition, whether we embark on critical or creative projects. As relevant, you might also include a description of what tools you might use–especially if your project moves beyond the bounds of a traditional researched paper.
- Include an image and/or video, as well as links, to make your post more dynamic.
Please refer to the schedule for important information on the final project process (due dates, etc.). Dates are subject to change.
