SOC 049
Final Group Presentations

Form groups of about 3 for class projects.  

Students will form groups to do a project on any aspect of the basic questions raised in this course, involving Internet research, posting a document to the class Website, and an in-class presentation in the last three weeks (about 8-10 minutes per group member).  

More on Group presentation:

1. Basic task in group presentation is to choose a relevant topic and apply some of the analytical and conceptual sociological tools to the topic at hand. Some examples of possible topics include:
1. Take up a larger conceptual/sociological issue (information overload, Internet addiction, problems with intellectual property, online education, chatroom identities). OR
2. Sociologically contextualize a particular technology (video conferencing, MP3s, Internet telephony, etc.). Tell us about social issues surrounding this technology. OR
3. Outline sociological implications of a new online service or community (Non Governmental Organizations online, banking online, starting a small business on the Web, etc.).
4. Again, the presentation should involve both description of your topic (what's going on) and sociological analysis that ties the topic into larger themes of the class (social contextualization of technology, accidental character of the Internet, online identity, virtual community, etc.).
5. Topic should be midrange, neither too general, or too specific or arcane.  It is best to begin with some specific experience and/or interest in technology that one or more group members already have.
6. You must explicitly tie your group project to one or more of the themes and/or issues raised in lecture and the texts.  A particular resource in the Holton book.
2. Group should meet with the instructor (me) to clear topic and discuss strategies. You are also encouraged to talk to me at any time about suggestions for topics.
3. Meet and divide up the topic. Do Internet research together or individually. The class on Internet search techniques should be of assistance in doing this. As you're doing this, save the URL information on sites that are particularly helpful and/or interesting examples.
1. As you gain insight into exactly what material you want to present to the class, think about how you want to divide up the report; each student should give part of the report. (Web design should reflect division of labor).
4. Each group should hand in a progress report of approximately 2 pages on Wednesday of the seventh week. This should specify the main issue your proposal will address, and some of the larger issues raised here, as well as the way the topic is being divided up among group members.
5. Website: as part of the project, each group should post a website outlining information about the topic, and including relevant links. The minimum required here is just several pages with text and links. We will work in class to insure that everyone develops the basic skills to do this. At the end of the project, we will have a very exciting website with lots of cool info.
6. The aim of the website is to support the presentation. Ultimate aim is an informative, professional presentation using the Website as a visual (etc.) aid in presentation, demonstrating the research you've done on the Web. It is important to show your research through utilizing the Web in your presentation by actually going to or indicating links to sites where you gained information upon which your presentation is based.
7. Final writeup - A writeup of your work will be integrated into the final examination. This can duplicate material on your website, but should be in a coherent academic style, indicating sources used, etc. This will be discussed in more detail later, but, in any case, be sure to keep records of your research.