Final paper - Presentation title/abstract

April 24 & May 1 - Presentation title/abstract due.

150 words.

Reminder:  10 minute research presentation in class. Presentation will provide a brief overview of your topic and main findings. Slides welcome but not required.

Schedule:

May 1: Zee, Stacy, Anna, Ivan, Alex, Will, Paulo

May 8: Fifi, Sarah, Michael, Linda, Ankit, Jay

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Full paper description:

Critical Internet Studies final paper & presentation, Spring 2024

Final paper due May 15 @ 11p ET; additional in-progress deadlines noted below

Topic and scope

The paper must be an original written piece of work that takes up a topic covered within the domain of critical internet studies. You can either draw from the subject areas covered in class or pick a topic exploring some other aspect of internet & society. This is your opportunity to really dig in and research a topic of your choosing related to the course. I’d encourage you to pick something you are excited and curious about, maybe even something you have some experience with. Please make sure your piece utilizes an appropriate disciplinary approach (media studies, sociology). You can undertake the research for your paper by focusing on a deep literature review to analyze a critical case or, alternatively with permission, some original social science research. If you want to do any research that involves interviewing people, surveys, observation, etc you must speak with me for approval first by April 3.

A key factor in this assignment is that you demonstrate a rigorous, scholarly analysis of the subject of your essay. You cannot just be “in your own head” or making broad claims but must evidence your arguments by drawing on research, from published peer-reviewed scholarship or your own primary data collection. The key is that you find support for your argument in scenarios, research, and cases beyond your own personal experience. This will involve looking through journals, books on the subject, and seeking some good examples to build and anchor your argument.

Specs

1. You should engage with (i.e. draw on, cite, quote, be in conversation with) at least 5 peer-reviewed scholarly articles or books related to your topic. One can be drawn from our class readings but the additional ones should come from your independent lit search. If you are unsure of where to find good articles within this domain you can check out my resource page: http://tltaylor.com/teaching/research-resources-for-students/ Links to an external site.. I encourage you to make use of the great reference librarians we have here at MIT.                                     

2. You should pick an established format (such as APA, MLA, or Chicago) for quoting and citing work (see links at my Research Resource page noted above for guidance). You must also include a complete bibliography at the end of the essay.

3. You must pay attention to proofreading and attend to the technical elements of writing a paper (citations, page #s when quoting, etc.). Double-space your paper please.

4. Undergraduates overall word count for the piece should be 3000 words and 4000 for graduate students (+/- 10% is fine).

5. You must submit work as a pdf via Canvas by the dates noted below. Make sure you include your name on your documents.

In-progress deadlines 

        Missing any of these will count a half grade against final paper.

• April 3 - Paper topic and rationale due. Submit your proposed topic, a question or two you want to explore within it, why the it and the questions matter (“what’s at stake?”). Explain your proposed method, i.e. how you will answer your questions (lit review, case study, where you will get the data for your argument, do you need to do primary research, etc).
• April 17 – Initial annotated bibliography due. Should represent your early lit review in exploring your topic/question. List the reference and a sentence or two on its potential relevance to your argument. Properly formatted with a notation saying which citation system you are using. Minimum 8 pieces (these need not be the final ones you use but instead demonstrate you are starting to dig into prior scholarship on the subject).
• April 24 & May 1 - Presentation title/abstract due. 150 words.
• May 15 – Completed papers due.

In-class presentation

• May 1 & 8 - 10 minute research presentation in class. Presentation will provide a brief overview of your topic and main findings. Slides welcome but not required.

Writing assistance

Don’t forget there is a fantastic Writing Center (http://writing.mit.edu/wcc) here at MIT whose mission is to help all members of the community with work such as this. Don’t hesitate to use them. Also as always, I’m happy to chat in person as needed.

Late work

See syllabus for full policy.