History of a Public Controversy
Initial Group Meeting Schedule

Assigned Groups:

Erica
Mark
Mike
Rachel / Gwen
Porche
Riley
Steven / Ammara
Jeff
Patrick / Francis
Jess
Maddie

Suggested Group Meeting Schedule:
Meeting One: Wednesday, November 7 (during formal class; 209 Willard)

  • Prior to meeting, group members should watch sample multimedia projects:
  • Begin to brainstorm possible ideas for topics and consider how each topic is both public and controversial
  • Divide up responsibility for preliminary research
  • Inventory each member’s strengths
  • Consider optimal ways to communicate (e.g. group email, Facebook group, etc.)

Meeting Two: Monday, November 12 (during formal class; 209 Willard)
NOTE: Feel free to bring laptops to class to use!!

  • Refine topic idea based on preliminary research
  • Begin topic-specific research
  • Draft stasis questions (ARCS Ch. 3) related to your topic (these are your “framing questions”)
  • Brainstorm ways to present information
  • Experiment with platforms like iMovie

Meeting Three: Wednesday, November 14 (no formal class; meeting location chosen by group)

  • Draft group work plan (see instructions on the next page)

Group Work Plan Instructions:

A completed Group Work Plan is due to me via email () by noon on Friday, Nov. 16. Every group member should be copied on the email.

  • In the heading of your plan, include the names and email addresses of all group members.
  • As a group, please compose a work plan that contains the following three sections:
  • Multi-media project description:
  • Write one to two paragraphs describing your multi-media project. In this description, you will want to:
  • explain what makes the issue you’ve chosen a "public" controversy,
  • identify a set of “framing questions” you will want to explore,
  • explain briefly how you will historicize the controversy, and
  • explain the media you plan to use to present your topic and why you’ve made those choices.
  • Group responsibilities and timeline:
  • Detail the responsibilities of each group member.
  • Be sure to include group editing sessions and revision steps and consider ways to divide the workload equitably.
  • Include a timeline for completion and be sure to consult the course schedule so that you know which days are available for in-class work.
  • Questions for me:
  • Include any specific questions you have for me or any aspects of your project proposal that you would like me to provide feedback about.