Final Project for Language and Culture (LIN317)                    
Fall 2005

Goals: The final project is designed to allow you read primary sources on the material we have discussed and critique and respond to the theories.
    
Assignment (all materials must be typed, or I will not accept them):
    
1) Outside my office door in a file holder to the right of the door in a folder labelled LIN 317 is a collection of articles taken from The Routledge Language and Cultural Theory Reader (192000). We will discuss pp. 249-329 on 12/2; pp. 373-415 12/5; pp. 416-443 on 12/7; pp. 444-485 on 12/9.
    2) These articles will also be the basis for your final project. You will pick one of the topics contained in this series of articles to research for your final project. You should read an additional three sources on the topic (at least) for your research on this topic. Note that suggested readings appear at the beginning of each section I have copied for you.    
    3) Then do an literature overview, e.g. summarize the approaches and the material from these articles and your additional research.
    4) Discuss how these articles relate to our discussions and the data you have from 1) the texts; 2) the guest speakers.
    5) Argue for which theory/solution/discussion of the issue you find to be most appropriate and why, e.g. critique the theories the authors present and make an argument for or against them.

6) Project Assessment

Score    Theory/Issues

5    Demonstrates a thorough understanding of theory and issues related to topic.
4     Demonstrates a reasonable understanding of theory and issues related to topic,     but is not as thorough as it should be.
3    Demonstrates a rudimentary/surface understanding of theory and issues related     to topic.
2    Demonstrates a poor understanding of theory and issues related to topic.
0    Demonstrates no understanding of theory and issues related to topic.

Score    Literature Overview

5    Submitted a well-organized, complete discussion of the articles/research
4    Submitted a discussion of the articles/research that is slightly disorganized or minimally incomplete (some issues not discussed)
3    Submitted a discussion of the articles/research that is less well-organized or has overlooked a fair amount of the material in the articles
2    Submitted a discussion of the articles/research that is poorly organized and/or has a significant amount of the data missing
0    Did not submit the a discussion of the articles/research

Score    Data Analysis

5    The paper presents a plausible data analysis that goes beyond the commonplace     by offering original insights, both in terms of the whole and particular parts of the data.
4    The paper presents a plausible data analysis and may contain one or two original insights but on the whole does not go beyond the common range of interpretations the class has discussed.                            
3    The paper reiterates in general terms a common interpretation of the data set with no original ideas.                                    
2    This paper presents original ideas that weaken the plausibility of the analysis.    
0    The paper does not offer a data analysis.

Score    Strength of Argument                        

5    The paper offers a logical, coherent argument for the data analysis. All assertions
    are supported and amplified with details from the data or from other sources. The
writer pursues an original line of argument in at least one portion of the paper.    
4    The paper offers a logical, coherent argument for the data analysis but only     partially supports or amplifies the assertions. Or the writer does not pursue an     original line of argument.                                    
3    The paper offers an argument that contains some lapses in logic and/or offers only minimal support or amplification of assertions.                    
2    The paper offers an argument that is seriously flawed in logic or that fails to     support or amplify most or all assertions. The paper is basically a list with no     attempt to support the argument.                            
0    The paper does not present an argument to support the data analysis.

Score    Incorporation of Counterarguments                        

5    This paper acknowledges significant counterarguments (alternative     interpretations and reasons) and either effectively refutes or successfully     accommodates them into the interpretation being argued.                
4    The paper acknowledges several but not all counterarguments and refutes or     accommodates some.                                    
3    The paper acknowledges at least one counterargument (perhaps more) but is     unsuccessful in the attempt to refute or to accommodate it/them.            
2    The paper mentions at least one counterargument but makes no attempt to refute or accommodate it.                                    
0    The paper ignores all counterarguments.

Score    Relation to the Whole/Significance        
                
5    The significance of the data analysis offered (either in relation to culture as a whole or to a larger context in which the data are situated) forms an integral part of the argument. The connections are profound, interesting, or complex.        
4    The paper makes clear the significance of the data analysis either in relation to     language as a whole or to the larger context in which the data are situated. The     connections are plausible.                                    
3    The paper offers some mention of the significance of the data analysis or the     significance is somewhat loosely implied. The connections are plausible, but     somewhat obvious.                                        
2    The paper offers some mention of the significance of the data analysis, but the     connections are not plausible.                                
0    The paper makes no attempt to mention significance.

Score    Spelling/Grammar/Citations                        

5    This paper has no errors in language, usage, or citations (footnotes/bibliography)    
4    This paper has one consistent error in language, usage, or citations.            
3    This paper has several errors in language, usage, or citations.            
2    This paper has frequent errors in language, usage, or citations.            
0    This paper is incomprehensible due to errors in language, usage, or citations.

Score    Theory/Issues

5    Demonstrates a thorough understanding of theory and issues related to topic
4     Demonstrates a reasonable understanding of theory and issues related to topic, but is not as thorough as it should be.
3    Demonstrates a rudimentary/surface understanding of theory and issues related     to topic.
2    Demonstrates a poor understanding of theory and issues related to topic.
0 Demonstrates no understanding of theory and issues related to topic.

Score     Transcription/Description of Data                
5    This paper uses proper transcription and/or description of data, i.e. IPA whe
    discussing phonetics or phonology (if you do not know IPA, then you should see me); proper terms when discussing phonetics, phonology, morphology, semantics or syntax.
4    This paper has one consistent error in transcription and/or description of data.    
3    This paper has several errors in transcription and/or description of data.        
2    This paper has frequent errors in transcription and/or description of data.        
0    Proper IPA and/or terminology are not used.


Total Score:  40