Utopias Book Reports (2)

Everyone in the class will select 2 readings from the Utopias book (no one can select the same reading) on which to present a 2 reports. Each report will summarize the content of the reading, present images/video of any artworks that are mentioned and discuss their subject/form/content/context, provide a brief biography of any artists, theorists, or other individuals mentioned in the reading. You will present all your findings in a visual oral presentation accompanied by a Prezi or Powerpoint (once for each reading you are assigned).

Utopias Textbook Cover

You will have to do research at the library in order to fully report on the reading, therefore we will go to a research training at the library to help you find the resources necessary to do well on the report. You must  reference at least 2 books and 2 library databases when you write this report. You must bring the 2 books you used for your report to class on the day the report is due (this means you have to check them out from the library – and you may have to request interlibrary loans – plan for this lengthy process).

Google and Wikipedia may turn up useful images for your report, but they are not the research tools will use for the content of this research presentation. The library’s reference and instructional staff is available in person, by phone, by email, by text, and via reference chat on the library homepage to assist students with research inquiries.  If you are not familiar with using the library, please ask for assistance from the library’s personnel or visit the library homepage for assistance (http://amplibrary.wvwc.edu/libraryhome). They are super nice, and want to help you out!

TIPS:
– Remember to always mark the titles of artworks with “quotes” or italics.
– Remember to refer to artists by their last names after your first reference to them by full name. (We don’t call William Shakespeare “William” – we call him “Shakespeare”)

Your report must cover:

  1. An introduction to the report.
  2. Contextualize the reading – When/where was it written? Who has been influenced by this writing? Why is this author important? Is the reading part of a larger narrative/work? Who is the intended audience for this piece of writing?
  3. A summary of the reading you were assigned.
  4. IMAGES (every slide must feature an image – that fits the screen without becoming pixelated).  Remember that your goal in any slide presentation is to limit the words on screen to 6-10; no paragraphs of text! Your images can be of artworks that are mentioned in the text, artists/theorists/other individuals, images to illustrate concepts, etc.
  5. If any artworks are mentioned, discuss the subject/form/content/context of the work.
  6. A summary of the report.
  7. A works cited at the end of the presentation.
  8. Bring your two books to class.

Databases to check out:
– ArtStor
– Biography in Context
– Films on Demand
– Britannica
– Credo Reference
– Issues & Controversies
– JStor
– Oxford Art Online
– Pop Culture Universe
– Project Muse

[To access the library’s databases, log onto any on-campus computer, then go to the library homepage.  They have a link to databases on their homepage – this will take you to a big list that includes the ones I have listed here]

GRADING  – 23 Points TOTAL
– Presentation should last between 3-5 minutes  (2 points)
– Works Cited  (2 points)
– Introduction/Summary  (2 points)
– Well-designed slides (large images, not too much text, etc)  (2 points)
– discuss context of the reading  (3 points)
– summarize the reading  (4 points)
– discuss any mentioned artworks  (3 points)
– Bring in 2 books  (2 points)
– Presentation skills (loud clear voice, looking at audience, etc) – (3 points)
– Evidence of practice and preparation – (2 points)