DIIGO/SOCIAL BOOKMARKING PROJECT (for Popular Culture & Media course)

GRADE VALUE:  10 points

3 Sites for Each Module (1-10) – Due the Last Day of Each Module

The purpose of this project looks to use popular culture (social bookmarking) to help develop a final product that students can use once beyond the course.  Each module, students will find three links that have significant relevance to the readings of that module.  They will add the links to the course social bookmarking group on Diigo.com.  Along with the link, they will write a 50-100 word description of how the link directly relates to the reading.  

PROCESS

Prior to starting Module 1, students will be required to go to the social bookmarking website: Diigo:  http//www.diigo.com and create an account (preferably using their SCHOOL email address).  Upon creating the account, the student will need to email their username to the instructor.    Once received, the instructor will send out an invitation to join a specific group on Diigo (NSCC Popular Culture & Media).  

With each module:  

1. Students will need to search the internet for 3 different websites that relate to that week’s readings and topic.  

2. Upon finding a relevant website, students will add it as a Bookmark to the Diigo group, NSCC Popular Culture & Media.  

3. In adding it to the group, students will need to provide a 50-100 word description of the site and its relevance to the class.  Keep in mind, this needs to be the student’s own words and clearly connected to the course material.  Students who copy and paste the description from the site rather than describing it on their own will not be given credit for the link.  Note:  When adding the link to the group, it will often provide you with a summary—it is not acceptable to use this summary.  You must add your own.

What Sites to Add?

For this assignment, students need to be conscious and critical about the types of sites they add to the Diigo group.  Students should not be selecting any site they think might have relevance.  They should be selective and critical, evaluating the content, the appearance, and the purpose of the websites.  

Sites that provide meaningful and indepth analysis, discussion, and interpretation about popular culture should be privileged over information-based sites.  For instance, a horror site that provides news, interviews, commentary, and other features about the horror genre should be valued over a site that simply communicates forthcoming horror film releases and trailers.    Equally important, avoid general sites such as Wikipedia, About, etc.  These do not necessarily offer much in terms of substance for the purpose of academic discussion.  

Whenever in doubt about a particular site, email the instructor and ask.  In asking, clarify why you think it might be a good site (and of course, include the link!).

Good example:  

Bloody Disgusting:  http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/

This proves to be an excellent website that focuses on all forms of horror from movies, to comics, to television to videogames and more.  In addition to a good amount of reviews, previews, and interviews, it also features insightful articles that have great discussions about elements and facets of the hororr genre and its place within popular culture.  This relates to Chapter 8's discussion of subcultures in that the site really does gear itself towards people who would identify as "Horror fans."

Important Considerations

All three links are due by the last day of each module.  

Repeated sites will be rejected.  This is why it might be useful to do it earlier than the last minute.  Often, this will result in several students submitting the same links.  The first person will get credit for posting a link; the others will not.  This also means that students will need to pay attention to what other students have posted to avoid posting the same thing.  

Students should also add the appropriate tags for each link they add.  The tag feature is useful for keeping the links organized in some meaningful fashion.  

Evaluation:

Students will be graded based upon:

Posting 3 Links

Grammatically clear descriptions.

Unique Description of Sites

Clear and Direct Connection to the Module

Meeting the word count.