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