This assignment asks us to produce a podcast or video that builds on our work from Paper 1. While our work on this assignment allows us to draw on similar analysis and argument skills, we will take on the additional challenge of considering how to achieve these goals through the use of audio and potentially video and images. We can check out TheJUMP to get a sense for other undergraduate projects along these lines.
For both podcast and video projects, you should address the following requirements: the completed project should be 2-10 minutes; you should include at least three “sources” (you should produce at least one of these, and you are welcome to draw on existing audio and video as well); you should complete a reflection paper addressing the prompts below.
In terms of purpose, again, your project should build on your work from Paper 1. You can offer your own argument about the topic; you can give us new insight into the topic by drawing on new audio or video sources; you can perform an analysis of an audio or video text related to your topic; you can offer an informative overview of your topic. The main limit here is that you cannot simply reuse and draw directly on the writing you did for Paper 1. You should be producing new content for this assignment.
Podcast
Audio production offers an opportunity to splice together or layer different audio files and sound sources. A podcast is a type of audio text that aims to tell a story, make an argument, offer an analysis, or otherwise comment on or inform us about a topic. If you take this approach to the assignment, your podcast could involve audio recordings you make of yourself and/or others, and you are also welcome to draw on audio from other sources: interviews, music, etc. Your podcast should include at least three different audio sources/elements.
If you are looking for audio files to incorporate, I would recommend checking out these sites for public domain or Creative Commons licensed materials: the Free Music Archive, Musopen, American Rhetoric, LOC Sound Recordings, and the Internet Archive. If there is audio you want to use on YouTube, you can download it.
You might have audio editing and production software on your computer (e.g., GarageBand), and you are welcome to use this. Otherwise, you will need to download software onto your computer or onto a Bonaventure computer. Audacity is a common choice, and there are many other options.
Video
Video production and remixing offers an opportunity to splice together or layer different video and audio files and images. If you take this approach to the assignment, your video could involve recordings you make, and you are also welcome to draw on other sources of video, audio, and image materials. Your video should include at least three different A/V sources/elements.
If you are looking for video files and images to incorporate, I would recommend checking out these sites for public domain or Creative Commons licensed materials: the Public Domain Review, the Internet Archive, Wikimedia Commons, the Library of Congress, and Flickr. Keep in mind that sites like YouTube and Flickr allow you to search for Creative Commons licensed material. On YouTube, you can select a “Creative Commons” filter on your search. On Flickr, you can do this under the advanced search option. If there is video you want to use on YouTube, you can download it or get a screen capture using software like Debut.
You might have video editing and production software on your computer (e.g., iMovie or Final Cut Pro), and you are welcome to use this. Otherwise, you will need to download software onto your computer or onto a Bonaventure computer. I would recommend VideoPad or Vimeo or other free software.
Reflection
In addition to the podcast or video you produce, you should also complete a reflection (minimum 300 words, submitted via email) addressing the following prompts.
- What was the main purpose of your a/v work? What did you hope to achieve or communicate here? How does this project build on your work from Paper 1?
- Where were you most successful in achieving this purpose? Least successful? Point to specific aspects of your work and explain how they add to your project.
- How did you spend your time on the project? What challenges did you encounter? How would you describe the challenge of writing with audio and images? What can you do with these media that you can’t do with words?
Finally, your reflection should also cite and give credit to any sources you draw on. The Purdue OWL can help us cite online sources and other relevant sources such as interviews, pictures, songs, etc.
Matt King 