Meme Assignment
International Relations
Spring 2024
Suggested Due Date: March 31, 2024
10 Points
This meme is an example of a previous student’s work. You MAY NOT COPY this meme (or any other ones you find already made on the internet)- the assignment requires you to create a new one.
For this assignment, you will create a meme that explains a concept we have covered so far in class. You may choose any of the concepts we’ve covered in the first four weeks of class from your assigned readings and class discussions. Select a concept, and make a meme. Then write a short (4-5 paragraphs) reflection explaining the concept and the meme. The reflection is public, shared writing, and so should be written, revised, proofread, and only then finally published. You must also choose a concept that no other student has already meme-d, so it is advantageous to you to complete the assignment sooner rather than later. The meme and reflection essay should be posted as a blog post (either the full text or a link to a publicly accessible Google/Word doc) with a suggested due date of March 31, 2024 (assignments will also be accepted after this point with no penalty). Don’t forget to grade yourself out of 10 points according to the following rubric, and write a self-grading assessment explaining how your work meets the requirements of the assignment. You may find the pre-submission checklist on the next page helpful.
Concept
Reflection
10
Meme clearly explains or illustrates a concept we’ve covered in class, and does not copy a previously submitted meme.
Essay explains the concept clearly, using at least one properly cited quote or paraphrase from assigned course readings. Essay is of required length (4-5 paragraphs), well-written, with extremely few or no grammar, spelling, or typographical errors.
5
Meme references a concept we’ve covered in class, but is not very specific or illustrative. Meme is somewhat similar to another student’s or existing IR meme.
Essay somewhat explains the concept but is not very clear. Essay uses a quote or paraphrase from assigned course readings, but does not properly cite it. Essay is of somewhat shorter or longer than the required length (4-5 paragraphs), and is somewhat well-written, with some grammar, spelling, or typographical errors.
0
Meme makes little to no reference to a concept we’ve covered in class, or repeats almost exactly a previously submitted or existing meme.
Essay does not really explain the concept. Essay does not include any reference to assigned course readings. Essay is of much shorter or longer than the required length (4-5 paragraphs), and is poorly written, with many grammar, spelling, or typographical errors.
Some examples of scholarly(ish) memes: https://twitter.com/ResearchMark, http://feministryangosling.tumblr.com/ (which actually began as a grad student’s study guide), and http://irryangosling.tumblr.com/ (no copying any of these directly). You are certainly not limited to actor based memes- use whatever base meme you like- Condescending Wonka, Bad Luck Brian, One Does Not Simply (you can use https://imgflip.com/memegenerator/27596988/Free or any other meme generator you like).
Pre-submission Checklist
Is it a meme that you created yourself (not copied from elsewhere)?
Does meme relate to something we’ve covered in class?
Does the essay explain the meme?
Does it include a properly cited quote or paraphrase from your reading?
Do all claims/assertions have support?
Does everything in the essay serve the purpose of the essay?
Does it conform to the standards of formal academic writing?
Did you spellcheck?
Did you proofread?
Did you get a friend to read and give you feedback, then revise based on that feedback?
Did you write a self-grading assessment?
