Embodiment Theory Course
Essay Prompt
FINAL ESSAY ASSIGNMENT
(12 - 15 pages)
You have the choice of taking one of these two approaches to your final essay:
- Explore in depth one or more (up to 3) theoretical frameworks for addressing an issue or question we have considered in the course. To explore in depth here implies clearly presenting the issue and exploring each theoretical perspective you are taking up, including its key concepts, its argument, the methods it suggests for studying embodied practices, and the ramifications of the theory for clarifying embodiment as a concept and as a bodily practice. To illustrate your argument, analyze a bodily practice in light of the issue or problem you propose, suggesting how each of the 3 perspectives illuminates the practice.
- Investigate an embodied practice. Investigating an embodied practice here implies a thorough treatment of a practice with which you are familiar, including description and sociohistorical context. What issues or problems does this practice raise? What theories of embodiment address these issues? Analyze the embodied practice in terms of these issues and theories, amplifying the ways in which they illuminate the practice.
I. Required: List of Ideas. Due March 13 (Week 6).
- Write up a list of problems, questions or issues that compel you. Feel free to include those that have not yet come up. Include any thoughts about how you might address these.
and/or
- Write up a list of bodily practices that interest you. What kinds of questions or problems do these practice present to you? Which readings might help you address these?
Note: To help you generate ideas, review your notes for the course thus far. Also peek ahead at the titles and subject matter of the readings we will be doing later on. The questions posed in the Course Description may also stimulate your thoughts.
II. Required: Set up an Appointment. Between March 6 & March 24.
Meet with me to discuss your ideas. Feel free to also discuss your thoughts with your classmates!
III. Optional: Midterm Proposal Due noon, Friday March 24, in my mailbox.
Write a 3-page proposal for your final essay. Include: a provisional title; an introduction establishing the topic and goal for the essay; the reasons you are investigating this topic (rationale); the disciplinary areas to which the problem is significant; the questions or issues you will be addressing; salient features of the case study you will consider; a summary of what you plan to do (method of organizing the content -- in outline or paragraph form); and an annotated bibliography.
Alternately, you may submit a "mind map" of your ideas in chart, drawing, or outline form. (To be explained in class)
IV. Optional: Rough Draft Due May 1st (Week 12) in class.
You have the option of submitting a rough draft before submitting your final essay. If enough of you would like to do this, we will set up a "peer exchange" process so that you have the opportunity to be "readers" for each other. This process can be quite helpful in gaining objectivity about your own writing.
Note: You may also choose to submit outlines, mind-maps or any other material by this date. May 1 is the last day you can submit any preliminary materials.
Final essay: Due at our class meeting during Finals Week.