Over the course of this collaboration, you have engaged with diverse creative texts. These short stories and films offer a hint to the wide interests and richness of Egypt’s cultural productions and examine various themes and aspects of Egyptian history, culture, and experience. In class, you have been learning more about approaches to textual analysis and interpretation. You have been sharing your insights with your group through the Wakelet posts and literature circle conversations.
The culminating assignment in the collaboration asks groups to engage more directly with one of the texts in the unit. Each group will complete and present a collaborative project that offers a critical-creative response to one of the course texts.
As a group, you may choose which text to focus on. Your critical-creative approach should highlight and engage with a significant aspect of the original text using a new form. The specific medium of the critical-creative response is open—it may take the form of a video, a multimedia essay/blog post, an infographic or poster, a website, a game, etc. Creativity and thoughtfulness are valued. Think about the most appropriate medium for presenting your specific ideas.
Ideas to get you started:
- An infographic that combines details of SDG 5 Gender Equality and details from the film Cairo 678 to offer a commentary about the relationship between rates of sexual harassment and gender equality
- A photo album of images inspired by “Ancestral Hair” to highlight a story theme of generational continuity
- Original song lyrics that explore the symbolism of the tree using quotations from “His Mother”
- A recorded “interview” with members of Bassem’s team commenting on the complicated relationship between television media and the pursuit of justice
All projects should be accompanied by a 2-3 page collaboratively written project description that explains 1) the purpose and goals of the project, 2) the creative decisions made, and 3) the division of labor among group members.
Schedule
Creating a successful project will require organization, initiative, and communication – the key skills of collaboration.
Tues, Feb 21: Group time to brainstorm project
Thurs, Feb 23: Literature circles for Tickling Giants
Tues, Feb 27: Project work time
Thurs, Mar 1: Project work time
Tues. Mar 7: Project presentations
Assessment
The collaborative project carries 20% of the course grade. Projects will be assessed on the following criteria:
Content:
- Offers critical insight (not just summary) into original text
- Demonstrates creativity and planned purpose
- Presented in a clearly understandable manner (writing, images, formatting, etc)
- Project description includes all components
Product:
- Well-designed and effective medium for the project
- Demonstrates appropriate effort and dedication
- Is appropriately neat and professional