Intro to Social Commentary Final Project

Tips for getting you off to a strong start.

What is this???•A polished collection (anthology) of social

commentary about your chosen area of study as it applies to teens and young people (kids, teens, college age).

• It is comprised of 4 major sections of content:▫Part 1 = Researched social commentary (6)▫Part 2 = Responses to the researched S.C. (6)▫Part 3 = Original social commentary (3)▫Part 4 = Artist statements (3)

Where to begin?

• Examine topics and choose an area of study as it applies to teens and young people.

• This should be a topic that stands as a SOCIAL PROBLEM.

• All topics are general and will need to be narrowed and focused as the project moves forward.

Possible Topics•Gender Issues•Society•Race/Culture•Economics/

Wealth•Current

Trends/Image

Gender Issues• Includes subjects such as:• sexual harassment / cat-calling• sexism • sexual preference or gay/lesbian rights• PDA• promiscuity• age + sexual activity• peer pressure• dress code

Society

• Includes subjects such as:• bullying• fighting• road rage• teen drivers• video games• drinking/drugs (1 drug), etc.

Race/Culture• Includes subjects such as:• racism• gangs• mandatory English as standard

language• social profiling• tolerance, etc.

Economics/Wealth• Includes subjects such as:• college tuitions• status symbols• access to education• family/community expectations• neighborhood “cults”, etc.

Current Trends/Image• Includes subjects such as:• plastic surgery• weight• technology (ipods, social

networking, on-line dating services, etc.)

• body image• steroids• tattoos / piercings• brand names, etc.

What about???•Abortion•Gun control•Marijuana •Capital punishment •Drunk driving

Don’t ask… it’s still gonna be a

Required Sections of the Project

Layout & Format•Binder + cover•Project construction is sturdy and the

design elements enhance the message•ALL pieces are typed, 1.5 spaced, legible

font & edited. NO pieces straight from internet with “junk” (hyperlinks, ads, etc.)

•Pages numbered•Table of Contents (with pg. #s)• Intro Page (to be written before research)

Research• Items read (essays, poems, articles) - 3 min. • Items experienced ( – all must be provided

or documented – 3 min. Art (drawings, paintings, photography, cartoons)

Music (lyrics) TV (commercials, shows) Film Life

•EACH item selected stands alone as S.C.

Research Responses

•Responses to each of the found pieces in the anthology ▫(3 items read/3 items experienced = 6)

Original Pieces

•Three (3) original social commentary creations

•Artist statements for each original piece (3)

•Conclusion Page (to be written upon completion of project)

Citations, etc.

•Author Bios •Works Cited in MLA format

See handout for a DETAILEDDETAILED

description of everything that

must be included.

What should I start doing now?

•Select a “working topic”

•Preliminary research!

•Gather information!

•Come back from break with least 1 concrete piece of social commentary that will help you narrow your focus.

KEYS to SUCCESS

Understand that you’re not going to be able to accomplish this by just Google searching your topic. You will have to read, live, and experience with a critical eye.

You will read/experience MUCH more than you actually include in your project.

This week and over spring break, READ, THINK and EXPERIENCE – your subject everywhere.