Make sure to take care with your writing(yes, even on the blog). This means no typos, spelling errors, etc. Including relevant multimedia content (i.e. photos, video/audio links, etc.) is welcomed and encouraged.

I’m asking you to please “tag” (categorize) your posts appropriately as either “Readings” or “Current Events”– see below for more details:

• Readings: (min. 4 original posts)
  These postings should respond to at least one of the current week’s assigned readings and should be one or two substantive paragraphs. In each posting, you may a) raise a substantive discussion question b) express a well-supported opinion c) comment about connections between that week’s readings and readings from past weeks or d) provide some background information on the authors of the readings or the readings’ subject matter.
• Current Events (min. 4 original posts)
  This post is a chance for you to relate the course learning to the wider world of images, discourse, and events.  These posts should be intellectually engaging (not simply raves or rants).  They do not necessarily need to refer to any specific reading from class. However, the point here is that you use the analytic tools that we are learning in class to interpret pieces of the world at large.  I’ll let you know if your blog posting looks off-baseoff base, so feel free to get creative.
• Final Research Paper Proposal & Required Live Meeting w/ Instructor: 10%
  You will complete an word800-word proposal for your Final Research Paper due at the conclusion of the course. You will need to identify your topic, provide a draft outline (note: this is just a draft—it is not a set in stone) and a draft annotated bibliography of sources you will utilize in your paper. The Final Paper Proposal is due during the seventh week.
  During the eighth week, you will be required to schedule a live meeting (via text, voice, or video chat for approximately 30 minutes) with the instructor to discuss your proposal. This will also be an opportunity for discussion on the midterm, blog, and the course as a whole. The primary purpose is to ensure your preparedness for proceeding to the balance of your research and writing for the Final Research Paper. Detailed paper guidelines, including the paper proposal will be made available at the start of the course in May.
• Final Research Paper: 35%
  You will conduct research on a topic of your choice but the initial paper proposal must be approved before proceeding to complete the full paper (see Final Research Paper Proposal.) Research papers will be expected to engage with the central themes of the course: the contested, dynamic nature of concepts of “culture,” “development,” “modernity,” “tradition,” and “progress.” 12 pages, standard margins and fonts required. Detailed paper guidelines, including the paper proposal will be made available at the start of course in May.

Due July 27, 2011 12pm Noon EST.