Final Essay Assignment

SOC325-22 (Kuechler -- Fall 97)

Final Essay Assignment

Formalities.

This final essay is due Monday, December 15, by midnight delivered to my office in HW 1628 (slip under door). Absolutely no extensions, no excuses. This essay will account for 25% of the course grade. However, if your essay grade is better than your homework grade, the essay grade will account for 40% and the homework grade for 10% of your course grade (the remaining 50% determined by your first paper grade).
This essay must be submitted in hard copy (computer printed or type-written). In case of an emergency, a preliminary submission via e-mail is acceptable (subject to the deadline specified above). It should be of approximately 1250 words (use 'document info' from the 'file' menu in WP to check); depending on formatting, this amounts to about 3 to 4 pages. You will be penalized if the essay is noticeably shorter or longer. In addition to the essay, you need to submit hard copy of the two main sources you refer to in this essay (see below).

Contents.

The essay should be a reflection how information and communication behavior has changed so far, how it will change in the future, and what the effect on society and civilization will be. To provide more structure, the essay should focus on one of the following six themes:

The Web: A haven for pornographers, child molesters, stalkers, and criminals? What constitutes abuse and how can it be prevented?
The cyber doctor is in: Better health care for everyone?
Bringing art to the masses: .New avenues for access and (self-) presentation?
Interpersonal relations in cyber society: "Global Villagers" or "isolated nerds"?
The cyber consumer: More choices, better products or more manipulation?
Web potatoes: Why bother to attend concerts, shows, go to the movies in the future?

While there is an obvious advantage in continuing with the topic chosen for first paper, students are free to focus on any one of the six themes listed above. These reflections should be based on a study of the the "first papers" produced in this class, including -- if applicable -- the student's own "first paper", additional web explorations, and a selection of articles mirroring the current public debate on the chosen theme.

Given the rapid pace of these developments, there are only few strictly scholarly sources available. In contrast to other paper assignments, you are free (even encouraged) to look for articles directed at the general public as found in newspapers, magazines, etc. Possible strategies to find such articles include

visiting the Cybertimes section of the NYT web site; in contrast to other sections of the NYT, articles in this area are kept in a searchable archive;
checking an appropriately configured "News Tracker" within a personal Excite channel (you may try other channels as well, but -- given homework assignment #4 -- you should be already familiar with this particular channel);
browsing specific web sites as listed in the syllabus (towards the end, just before the weekly schedule);
checking the various data bases within CUNYPLUS;
just reading current newspapers and magazines.

However, you are also encouraged to peruse the book titles listed in the syllabus. In October (after funds became available), all these titles were ordered by the Hunter Library. With some luck, at least some of them should be available there shortly.
Given that most of newspaper/magazine articles are short, you are expected to find and read 6-8 pieces relevant for your chosen theme. From these, you should pick two that you find most relevant and to which you refer to in your essay more extensively. These two main sources can not be chosen from the pool of class reading assignments (as specified on the course page). You need to submit hard copy of these two major references with your essay.

While I expect that the arguments are grounded in empirical evidence and/or are derived from empirical experience, the essay should transcend the immediate empirical level. It should contain both personal speculations and conjectures as well as commentary on the opinions and/or projections of others. It is important, then, to properly present and weigh arguments on both sides before arriving at a conclusion. The essay will be graded on the thoughtfulness and consistency of the discussion, not on your personal preferences. For example, it will not affect your grade if your for or against web censorship as long as you present both sides and as long as you make a consistent argument.

Style

Since this is not a "research paper" but an "essay", the rules for citing other people's thoughts are more relaxed. I do not expect a complete bibliography and you do not have to track down the exact reference for every idea you present. However, you need to provide bibliographical details for at least the 6-8 pieces you have selected (see above). In general, if you use someone's thoughts more extensively -- whether in agreement or disagreement, you should provide a bibliographical reference. Use whatever citation/reference format you like, but make sure that the reference is complete.

Caution

This really should not be necessary, but just in case somebody contemplates a very specific use of the web. You are supposed to write this essay yourself. Just finding a suitable essay somewhere on the web is not good enough. (There are plenty of sites on the web now that offer term papers and essays for download, such as School Sucks.)

Also, make sure to address the chosen theme directly and discuss the basic question of changing social relations implied in the theme. Do not write about a specific disease, a specific artist, a specific pop group, etc.