(Please leave paper in my mailbox at Scott Hall by 12noon)

In a 3-5 pages, typed and double-spaced paper, discuss and compare at least two of the events you attended in this class thus far. Please focus on analysis rather than reportage, and support your first-hand observations with additional research in historical and theoretical areas. The readings are a good place to start, and you are encouraged to also look at secondary sources. Ideas from class discussions can also be incorporated into your paper.

For the second paper, use examples from class events to explore the issues of identity politics and diversity in contempoary media practices. Who are the producers of media art you have encountered in this class thus far? Do their race, gender, class background, nationality, and political beliefs influence what they produce? (and how they configure their practice as media artists?) How are issues such as subjectivity, personal experience, and family history expressed (or not expressed) in the works you have seen in this class? And by extension, are these issues and perspectives important concerns in a contemporary media production? A good approach to this paper is to compare the practice and choice of medium of at least two artists, as well as the critical reception to their work. An awareness of the context (historical, political, social, cultural, economical, etc.) under which they produce their work will also be helpful in grounding your discussion. Please do not focus your discussion on artists you have writtened on extensively for your previous paper.

Your grade will be based on your understanding of both the premises and the context of these events and the media works in them, your ability to support your arguments and observations with research in historical facts and theoretical discussions, as well as your writing and analytical skills. You are, of course, encouraged to incorporate your own opinions into the discussion. Explain how your views correspond to and differ from the ideas expressed in the films, videos, digital art projects, and by the artists themselves.

Please turn the paper in on time, and please follow the format I outlined: papers that are too long or too short, late papers, hand-written papers, etc. will lower your grade.

Include a bibliography (required) and footnotes (if appropriate) as well as the title, date, and name of director/artist for the works you cite in your paper.

Be specific ‚ cite reading sources, use footnotes, and use actual examples to support your argument.

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