PROJECT TEXT

Project Text asks that you interpret a major text through close reading and research. Our text is
Where We Stand: Class Matters by bell hooks. Well approach this text through a number of
critical resources, classroom discussions and activities, individual student essays and group
projects.
ou !ill form groups of " and each group !ill be in charge of certain themes in the text. On the
day of their assigned presentation, the group !ill present on an assigned theme and lead a class
discussion of the text.
Requirements:
#ach student is re$uired to post at least 3 Moodle posts reflecting on an idea, theme,
symbol or issue from the text. The reflection may be a response to a particular passage
from the text or to a related idea discussed in class. #ach post should be 350-500 words
in length, be academic in content and style, and should incorporate outside links to
content-related Websites or use some form of new media!isual rhetoric.
%roup Presentation. %roups !ill present on one of the selected topics highlighted in the
text. The presentation should point to specific $uotations&sections from the text and
should include researched sources as !ell as real'!orld examples. The presentation
should use ne! media technologies (e.g. Po!erPoint, video, %oogle presentation, blogs,
!ebsite) and should address the complexities of the topic.
o Presentations !ill be assessed per the presentation rubric.
#ach student !ill !rite an argumentative essay that further explores an issue highlighted
in the text.
Group Presentation Dates:
*+.,".-+ %roup . (#ducation&/rossing /lass 0oundaries)
*+.,".-+ %roup 0 (The Politics of 1iving 2imply&3/aring and 2haring4)

*+.,5.-+ %roup / (Occupy 6ovement 7 2ocial 8ustice)
*+.,5.-+ %roup 9 (The :ousing 0ubble&3;eal #state ;acism4)
ESSAY 2 Prompt:
.fter reading bell hooks Where We Stand: Class Matters" respond to one of the follo!ing
prompts<
9iscuss hooks call to action in relation to The Occupy 6ovement.
9iscuss the housing bubble in relation to social class and ethnicity. =n other !ords, !hat
connections can be made bet!een social class, ethnicity and real estate>
9iscuss education in relation to social class&mobility. /onsidering the first fe! chapters
of the text as !ell as our class discussions&resources, !hat connections can be made
bet!een education and class mobility>
9iscuss hooks concepts of 3hedonistic consumerism4 and 3material longing4 using
current, real'!orld examples. Pay particular attention to 3The 6e'6e %eneration4 as
!ell as earlier chapters about hooks childhood.
/onsider hooks argument regarding solidarity vs. charity and&or the responsibility of
those !ho have more. Pay particular attention to the chapters 31iving Without /lass
:ierarchy,4 32olidarity With the Poor4 as !ell as 3/oming to /lass /onsciousness4 in
formulating your argument.
This is not an exhaustive list? if you have another idea that stems from the reading, = am
excited to hear it@ Please discuss your idea !ith me as soon as possible (no later than 6arch
,*
th
). No changes can be made to your selected topic after this date.
Due Dates:
*+.,+.-+ Project Text Paper Prospectus
*+.,".-+ #ssay , ;ough 9raft due for Peer ;evie!
*+.+-.-+ #ssay , Polished 9raft due
Essay Requirements:
. 1-pae prospe!tus that presents your essay introduction and thesis, and an informal
outline of your ideas and anticipated essay structure. our prospectus should also
include an annotate" #i#$iorap%y o& at $east 2 $i#rary sour!es you !ill be using in
your essay.
o our annotated bibliography should include the M#$ citation and a %00-%50
word summary of your source.
Peer ;evie!. ou !ill post a copy of your rough draft to your groups peer revie!
forum. +'A different peer revie!ers !ill give you feedback on your !ork in progress.
o ou !ill assess the performance of your +' A peer revie!ers per the peer revie!
rubric.
Polished draft that is at $east ' paes in $ent%, "ou#$e-spa!e", &ormatte" a!!or"in to
()A ui"e$ines !ith Times *e+ Roman 12 pt, &ont and 1- marins. ou must
in!$u"e a .or/s Cite" pae.
o &esearch is re'uired for this assignment. =n addition to class readings, you are
re$uired to include material from at least 2 $i#rary sour!es (from your own
research" not class readings). .ny outside material you include must be from
credible sources such as material from the library, articles from the library
databases or ne!spaper&journal articles. =f you are using material that comes
from a source other than those =ve listed (e.g., intervie!s, surveys, etc.), you
must sho! me the material in advance for approval.
o our essay should be arumentati0e an" t%esis-"ri0en, supported !ith logical
reasons, explanations and evidence.
o 0ecause there is al!ays more than one side to an issue, your essay should
incorporate and discuss possible counterarguments and opposing vie!s.
o our essay should reflect rhetorical a!areness and address a general" academic
audience.