ENGL 212 – Fall 2019

Anthology Project

Due date: Saturday, December 14 on Canvas by 11:59 p.m.

Length: Anthology: 20 sources; Analytical Reflection: 2,000-2,500 words
Percentage of final grade: 13%
Number of sources: 20
Citation style: APA
Document design: Clearly labeled or tagged entries
Acceptable file types: Web link

Assignment Checklist:
___: Sign-up for site/create a new page (this will be referred to as your “Anthology”)
___: Post link on Canvas (Pages  Anthology Links)
___: Find 4 links (these will be referred to as “artifacts”) for each of the following themes from our
semester:
__: Techno-Panic through History
__: The Future of the Body
__: Intelligent Systems
__: Making and Things
__: Cyborgs and Bioart
___: Write analytical reflection

Assignment Details:
Throughout this semester you will collect “artifacts” from various media sources and assemble an
“Anthology” using Tumblr, Wordpress or another blogging platform that allows you to incorporate text
and media. (You could also use Canvas’ ePortfolio function, if you’d prefer.) The goal of this assignment
is to understand how the topics we read about and discuss throughout the semester are well
represented every day.

Your first task is to sign-up for and/or create a new page using one of the sites listed above. You will be
updating this site throughout the semester, so be sure you’re comfortable with the site you choose.
Please use the site/page you create for this assignment only. In other words, don’t use your personal
Tumblr; start a new one that you will use only for this assignment. If you need help signing up for or
using one of these sites, please let me know and I’ll be happy to help!

Once you set up your page, you will need to post a link to it on Canvas. Go to “Pages,” click on
“Anthology Links,” and then click “Edit.” Once you’re in “edit mode,” type your name and post the link.
For example, if I were posting my link it would look like: Kim Lacey: www.samplelink.com. This will make
it easy for me to access all your Anthologies on one page, and for our class to peruse each other’s
Anthologies. Please post your link no later than Sunday, November 3.
Your Anthology should include a cross-section of materials from a variety of media and academic
sources: articles, local and national newspapers, entertainment websites, videos, images, etc. As you
gather materials, strive for variety. Remember, we’re looking to make connections across various ideas
from this semester and your Anthology should reflect this goal. You are required to find four “artifacts”
for each theme. Do not wait until the last minute to find all twenty artifacts! Please note, however, that
you cannot use links that we directly discuss in class. For example, if we watch a YouTube clip or read an
article, you cannot use that same example in your Anthology. Also, you also cannot use any sources you
have used for other assignments. Additionally, clearly label, tag, or title each link with the name of the
part to which it corresponds. I strongly encourage you to use labels/tags/titles such as “Techno-Panic
through History #1,” “Techno-Panic through History #2,” etc. This will help you keep track of your links
and help me find them easily.

By the end of the semester, you will examine your collection and write an analytical reflection. This
analytical reflection will explain the patterns or anomalies about the examples you’ve selected as well as
draw conclusions about the significance of these examples taken as a whole. Your analytical reflection
will also be posted on your site.

In your analytical reflection, consider the following:

 As you peruse the media and make your selections, focus on texts that urge a particular way of
thinking about the themes we’ve discussed in relation to each other.
 Look for the obvious messages as well as the hidden ones and try to determine whether your
selected texts and images appeal to a traditional way of thinking about technology, challenge it, or
both—and how. What story does it tell? How does it tell that story? What might someone
understand about these ideas just by glancing at the titles? By reading each piece in detail?
 Your analytical reflection should not simply summarize the sources you included in your Anthology.
 In your reflection, be sure to spend time making connections between the different themes.
 Finally, you should also make specific reference and connections to our class discussions and our
course materials (readings, videos, etc.).

Even though you are posting your analytical reflection on your Anthology, it must be written in essay
format, including citations where necessary (you can always link to the specific artifact to which you’re
referring, but always include in-text citations). You should also include a works cited page at the end of
your analytical reflection noting just the examples you discussed in it.

Grading:
As with the other assignments this semester, I will be referring to the ENGL 212 rubric when assessing
your work. I will be specifically looking for connections between the links, class discussions, readings,
and your personal insights.