Module 4 Assignment: Identity & Community
MR4 Final Due Date: Fri, June 15th at 11:45PM.
Worth: 5%
Minimum Word Count: 700 words Maximum Word Count: 800 words
For scholars, the selfie phenomenon represents a paradox. As an object, the selfie lends itself to cultural scorn and shaming. As a cultural practice, however, selfie circulation grows by the moment, moving far beyond the clichéd understanding of bored teenagers sharing narcissistic tendencies online. Selfies have come under considerable scrutiny and debate – ranging from discussions about ego-centric acts to empowering forms of self-expression that build local and global community. (Senft 2014)
For this module response assignment, you will be asked to select a popular Selfie as a case study for critical discussion. Ideally, this will be a Selfie that has received a lot of attention, and has been discussed and debated in the media – for whatever reason.
The Selfie artifact should be one that can provide a rich academic analysis and discussion about the fluid social boundaries of ‘egocentric’ and ’empowering’. The paper will provide some context and description of the Selfie that is selected in the introduction, and then critically analyze how the case study could be examined as an ego-centric act and/or (not both) an empowering form of self-expression – depending on context, the social location of the ‘viewer” – different people interpret and experience things differently. Discuss and theorize the social significance of Selfies, and how Selfies can build (or dismantle) local and global community. The paper MUST use academic sources for this discussion and analysis, otherwise it is simply opinion and description (which is not what is asked for).
You must follow the parameters of what constitutes a “Selfie”: “a photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smartphone or webcam and shared via social media” (dictionary meaning). This means that your photo/Selfie artifact:
-will not be a video
-will not be a photo of someone taking a Selfie of themselves (or a group of people)
-will not be a photo that is a portrait of someone (in which someone else is taking the photo)
Important Notes:
How to submit this assignment:
M4R Grading Rubric
The M4R Grading Rubric is included here in order to help you formulate your submission.
Response
Criteria:
-the Selfie artifact is a true Selfie
-provides some context and description of the selected Selfie in the introduction
-uses academic research to critically analyze selected Selfie as ego-centric act and/or empowering form of self-expression
-discusses/theorizes the social significance of Selfies
-discusses/theorizes how Selfies can build (or dismantle) local and global community
-includes at least three of M4 Required Readings to support analysis
-includes at least one additional outside academic source to support analysis
Writing Style & Referencing
Criteria:
-presents discussion in an academic/formal manner
-cites sources properly according to APA format
-provides a properly APA formatted reference list of cited sources.
-flows well organizationally with clear writing style & proper tone; introduction, body with supporting evidence, and conclusion.
-presents discussion free of typos, and free of grammar, punctuation, spelling, and paragraph structure errors.
-includes a link to the Selfie in the reference list (and properly formatted)
-tone is academic/formal; vocabulary is appropriate to analysis
Framework of Grading
Incomplete 50s D
Submission is missing key components of the assignment guidelines.
Inaccuracies 60s C
Submission does not follow assignment guidelines or requirements.
Needs Work 70s B
Submission mostly follows requirements, but has areas that need improvement (ie depth of analysis).
Meets Criteria 80s A
Submission follows guidelines and meets all assignment requirements in a coherent way. There are no grammatical/writing issues; citing and referencing done correctly.
Exceeds Expectations 90 A+
Submission reflects a level of analysis that goes beyond what is expected at a second year course level.