How do you characterize the “problematic” of your YDEI topic?
The statement of a “problematic” discusses not merely the “problem,” (topic, issues, concerns) but also the agency and interests of the varied players – youth, the entertainment industries – as an active dialectic around power, pleasure, play, freedom, and liberty. Essentially, how does the “civic jazz” of democracy apply?
In a short (5 paragraph) essay, discuss what you’re finding through your topic research.
This will be uploaded as a post on a blog created by your topic group. This will allow your group members and other class cohorts to read and dialogue on the issues raised.
The following (3) content elements offer a general framework for writing a problematic statement,
Content elements:
- In presenting the topic, consider the following media literacy prompts:
- What are the discourses expressed in the media you’ve surveyed?
- Point-of-view: sources, voices, ideology
- Context, root causes
- Alternatives, root solutions
- It may not fit to address all these prompts; whether and how context/root causes and alternatives/root solutions are addressed in media reps should be addressed.
- How are youth (and others) using democratic practices to address the issue?
What are varied modes of critical discourse and social change expressed by youth: creative practices and cultural-political formations (associations/networks).
How are alternatives presented — or not. This will require you to engage a utopian imagination, adding your voice to the visioning process.
- A general frame (question) to consider throughout your study: How do principles of democracy apply? What’s a politics (engagement) of democracy applied to your topic?
- Reread Ch. 16: How Democracy Really Works (class 2) and the response notes you handed in for this chapter.
- Review the terms defining democracy we came up with earlier this term.
Specific guidelines:
- Draw from your annotations research and other online media you’ve surveyed.
- Write 5 paragraphs. These should be dense, to-the-point, well-edited, no fluff, providing a certain level of depth and breadth.
- Use a strong opening sentence.
- Do not copy and paste, i.e. plagiarize.
- Use a writing voice feels comfortable – preferably not straight academic.
- Include at least 4 hypertext links.
- Embedded media: include at least 2 images and a video.
- Design: be conscious of layout aesthetics; create a sense of balance among post elements.