Andrew's Wiki
Proposal Project

Mission

• For your final project, you will break up into teams of four.
• Your group will identify a problem around Penn State that you think you could materially, actually, really solve (or at least help to solve). Instead of thinking globally (world hunger, world peace, war, national policy), think locally. What bugs you about the neighborhood around you?

Topics

• If you or another group member has a solid idea based around his/her “theme,” then by all means, go ahead and use that theme!
• Your problems could involve Penn State itself:
  • a problem with academics (class schedules, class requirements, entry policies, study abroad programs, late drop policies, tuition prices)
  • athletics (football tickets, recreational sports, awareness of the non-football sports), campus safety (health insurance or policies disease transmission, traffic safety)
  • or your living situation (problems with dorms, cafeteria, roommates; or advice about how to adjust to college life, like how to do laundry, find food, keep in touch with high school friends or family members, survive the first year of classes, navigate campus, use the bus system, deal with the awful weather, etc).
• Or your problem could target the behaviors of your fellow students:
  • partying, studying, or living habits;
  • impolite, disgusting, or offensive behavior;
  • substance use or abuse (tobacco, drugs, alcohol, pills, chemical studying aids, etc);
  • methods of gaining friends or relationships;
  • racist, misogynist, or otherwise prejudicial attitudes; etc.

Or your problem could diagnose something wrong about State College: the shops, restaurants, or other amenities; laws concerning smoking in public places or underage drinking; college student relationships with townies, the police, or high school students; transportation issues (buses, long-term transportation, airplane transportation). What doesn’t State College have that you need?

Method

• This project will consist of two parts: an 8-page paper and a 5-7 minute video (targeted to your peers)
• For extra credit on the project (five bonus points), you can create an 8-10 slide Power Point? show targeted to administration, parents, or professors. By doing so, you will demonstrate your knowledge of audience-appropriate language and exemplification.

Paper

• The paper needs to include all of the rhetorical strategies we have investigated so far.
  • Narrative, definition, and classification
• You will also use causal argumentation, which I will teach you in the coming days.
• You will also perform research on your topic, which we will cover in the coming days.
• How can you incorporate all that? It’s easy:
  • Begin with a one-page narrative introduction that leads to you identifying the problem you want to solve.
  • Then, have a two-page definition argument that identifies the problem.
    • You could use research here!
  • Next, include a one-page classification argument that explains the many facets of the problem.
    • What types of people are involved in this problem? What facets of your life does this problem involve? What are the ways this problem manifests itself in your life—for example, social, academic, and emotional aspects?)
  • Next, write a two-page causal argument that shows how the problem develops and/or what negative affects will arise from this problem.
    • You could also use research here!
  • Finally, write a two-page explanation of your solution. How will you solve the problem?
    • You could also use research here!
  • End with a conclusion: a call-to-arms that will act as your conclusion.
• How to write a group paper?
  • Option one: break up the paper into four parts and assign each person one part.
    • (Make SURE that everyone edits and revises one another’s submissions so you create a smooth, even tone throughout the whole paper. In fact, before you write anything, decide what the tone will be: sophisticated and mature? funny and light-hearted? informational and straight-forward? friendly? cautionary? cynical or optimistic? complex or simple?
    • Option two: write it together in a single session, with someone acting as the secretary (typist).

Video

• Pretend that you will present this video to the upcoming freshmen at this year’s FTCAP. This video will either show the freshmen ways to solve the problem themselves or, if the students cannot just solve the problem by changing their own behaviors, then it will encourage students to play a part in some kind of grass-roots movement that will convince the powers-that-be to solve the problem.
• In other words, if your fellow students can solve the problem by themselves, the video should demonstrate how they can solve the problem by changing their own behaviors. (How much should they drink at parties? How should they behave towards their roommates?) Or, if the students need cooperation from local businesses, administration, local government officials, or existing PSU clubs or organizations like Student Government, then the video should tell the students how they will raise awareness of the problem and/or how they can secure the help of these clubs, officials, administrators, or business owners.
• For example, the video could explain the problem and then urge students to sign a petition, email or write letters to the proper authorities, join a club that will solve the problem, or help coordinate an event that will raise awareness of the problem.
• Sample Video Components
  • Make sure that the video explains both the problem and the solution!
  • Music: what genre, how much, and when should it play?
  • Narratives: act out a story that demonstrates the problem
  • Examples: act out a bunch of small stories that all demonstrate the problem
  • Stills: show charts, graphs, statistics or still photos; or have frames that explain what the next section of video will show (such as “What Is the Problem?” “How Can You Help?” or “Why Should I Care?”)
  • Survey: interview people on the streets, the cafeteria, or in your dorm
  • Report: have one of you dress up like a reporter and read aloud SMALL excerpts from your paper
  • On-site footage: go to the scene of the problem to give evidence of the problem

How do you access the technology?

• Media Tech∞ (aka Media & Technology Support Services) will help you access the equipment you need. The main building is 26 Willard (the basement), but you can also go to the Wagner Annex if you want to tape your video around campus.
  • Call 814-865-5400 or visit the Willard Basement to find 26 Willard.
  • Make sure to bring your student card, and try to reserve equipment as soon as possible to ensure availability.
• Studio 204, in Pollock, is a 24-hour lab that you use to work on video projects. If you make a video that requires you taking the camera around to your dormitory or downtown, you should not go here. You will need to attend a 20-minute orientation meeting to access the equipment, so plan ahead.
  • You cannot leave with their equipment; use Studio 204 for editing and for filming inside Studio 204 itself.
  • Go here for more information: http://digitalcommons.psu.edu/node/119
  • If you need to ask whether Studio 204 is right for your project, you can call 814-574-9721.
• Although you have free access to the equipment (as students using the tech for a class project), but you may have to purchase DVD-Rs or Mini-DVs. Also, those working in Studio 204 will need to bring a hard drive along with them to save their work between sessions.
• Please turn the projects in by posting the videos on You Tube? or by burning me a DVD-R and turning it in with your paper.