FINAL: Contemporary Youth Issues: Unessay Project
Start Assignment
Due May 3 by 11:59pm
Points 15
Submitting a text entry box, a website url, a media recording, or a file upload
Available until May 3 at 11:59pm
Due: May 3, 2024
Unessay Project Description
What is an Unessay?:
What is the unessay? It can be a blogpost, digital story, photo essay, graphic novel, zine, children’s book, infographic, poster, podcast, song, visual art, etc. You have the flexibility to create whatever you want – as long as it aligns with the themes of the course. In an unessay you have complete freedom of form: you can use whatever style of writing, presentation, or media you want. This is your opportunity to think outside of the box and break free from the traditional essay format! Examples of Unessay projects from previous semesters may be found under the “Assignment Resources” module.
Purpose:
The purpose of this project is to share your knowledge with the class community about what you’ve learned during the course and apply it to a topic of your choosing related to youths’ experiences in the US or abroad.
Your Tasks
You will research a topic related to the experiences of youth in any context (domestic or abroad) and present your position on a conundrum or issue faced by youth.
You are required to submit three components:
A digital copy of or link to your project.
A 1-page, single-spaced overview of your project (details below).
A reference list in APA format including all of your cited sources. You should have at least 7 sources on your reference list (academic literature, popular pieces, media, etc.), including 2 from prior readings in class and 5 new sources (not on the syllabus, but external sources of academic literature, popular pieces, media, etc.) on your reference list.
Your 1-page, single-spaced overview should include the following:
What is the topic and question(s) you explored in your project?
What population(s) of youth and what issue did you highlight in your project?
What is the issue you explored and why?
What are all of the sides of the issue you chose?
What is your position on the issue and why?
Why is this issue important?
How does it shape the lives of youth and their educational experiences?
What methods did you use to investigate your topic and answer your question(s)?
Interviews
Academic Research: books, journal articles, policy reports
Popular Texts, News, Media
Other?
What did you find in your research? What did you learn?
(optional) – What can you do about the issue you’ve addressed in your project? What can you commit to doing?
How are you sharing your project and learning with the class?
Media (social media platforms, podcast, documentary, short film, audio recording, website building, multimedia presentation)
Visual Art (photo essay, graphic novel, sculpture, painting, collage)
Literature – (zine, infographic, brochure, children’s book, blog posts, song, poetry, etc.)
Curricula (curriculum development, program development, lesson plan for teachers, etc.)
Open to ideas! Please check in with your instructor or TA if you need ideas.
We hope this Unessay Project allows you to think critically and creatively about issues impacting the lives of youth in education and society. We know this has been an overwhelmingly difficult year, but our hope is that you can use this assignment to interrogate an issue important to you, to re-imagine, and to create this semester!
Past Topics
Single-Sex Education
Exploring the debate for and against school uniforms
The harms of truancy laws
Exploring the disproportionate disciplining of Black girls in schools
Girls education around the globe
Exploring microaggressions at colleges and universities
Teen Sex and Social Media
Exploring youth loneliness through music lyrics
Youth activism and environmental justice
Youth Organizing for Racial Justice
History and Challenges of Boys Scouts
Researching Adult’s Perspectives on Childhood + Race
The Impacts of Sexual Health Education
Rubric
Unessay Assignment Rubric
Unessay Assignment Rubric
Criteria Ratings Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeUnessay Project
5 to >4.38 pts
A-AB
• Topic chosen is clearly visible/ articulated in the project. A problem is well defined and the student is able to present the conundrum facing the youth population they’ve chosen. • The Unessay goes beyond describing the problem to reveal student’s strong position/stance.
4.38 to >3.88 pts
B-BC
Topic chosen is somewhat visible/ articulated in the project. A problem is defined, and the student presents the conundrum facing the youth population they’ve chosen. • The Unessay describes the problem, but the student’s stance/position is unclear.
3.88 to >3.0 pts
C-D
Topic chosen is unclear/not articulated in the project. A problem is vaguely defined, and the student struggles to present the conundrum facing the youth population they’ve chosen. • The Unessay vaguely describes the problem and does not reveal the student’s stance.
3 to >0 pts
F
Does not address prompt.
5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome1-Page Overview
5 to >4.38 pts
A-AB
• Strong, detailed and clear description of issue impacting youth. Includes both/multiple viewpoints. • Strong and cohesive argument presented for the issue being addressed. Formally informs readers of position. • Answers questions in project description.
4.38 to >3.88 pts
B-BC
Decent description of issue impacting youth. Includes one viewpoint. • Argument is presented for the issue being addressed. Readers are able to infer the student’s position. • Answers some of the questions in project description.
3.88 to >3.0 pts
C-D
• Description of issue impacting youth is vague. No viewpoints are included. • Weak argument presented for issue being addressed. Does not inform readers of position. • Answers few questions in project description.
3 to >0 pts
F
Does not follow prompt or answer the questions in project description.
5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeReferences (Unessay & 1-Page Paper)
3 pts
Full Credit
• Engagement with primary and secondary sources, media, etc. to support the creation of your project. Reference should also be used in your 1-page reflection to support your position on the topic you’ve chosen and to discuss the other side(s) of the issue. • You need to have a minimum of 7 sources listed at the end of your 1- page reflection. At least 2 sources should be from class.
1.5 pts
Half Credit
• References are included but do not support your position on the topic you’ve chosen and are not used to discuss the other side(s) of the issue. •Lists fewer sources than required and does not include 2 sources from class.
0 pts
No Marks
References are used ineffectively and/or does not follow prompt.
3 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWriting Quality
2 pts
Full Credit
• Writing is cohesive, coming in a logical order and using helpful transitions to guide readers. Students answers the prompt questions on the Project Description. Writing style is lively and interesting. Sentence structure, grammar, spelling is excellent. Uses appropriate capitalization and respectful language to speak about groups of people. Student follows the terminology sheet when referring to groups of people.
1 pts
Half Credit
• Paper is logical and most paragraphs are coherent, but paragraphs do not transition well. Writing style is interesting, but a little wordy. Student does not answer all of the questions from the Project Description. Sentence structure, grammar is fair to good. Uses some inappropriate capitalization and outdated language to speak about groups of people.
0 pts
No Marks
Writing is incoherent. Uses disrespectful language to speak about groups of people.
2 pts
Total Points: 15
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