187syl

Student Projects

Last Update 4/7/10

HUHC 020F (H1)

Naked without Shame:
The Evolution and Cultural
Construction of the Human Body

Tuesday-Thursday 2:20-3:45

019 Breslin

Prof. Daniel M. Varisco

Office: 200F Davison

(516) 463-5590

Daniel.M.Varisco@hofstra.edu

Office Hours: Tues 10-11 am;
Wed 10-11 am or by apt.

• Purpose: The aim of this project is to explore aspects of how nudity is represented in American media, especially the internet, and how we respond to nudity and near-nudity. Students will do both individual research and prepare a joint presentation in class with at least two other students. Time will be provided in class for short planning sessions. Each student must submit an individual 4-5 page written essay, according to the guidelines provided.

• Grading of Student Project:

(16 points) The major criteria I will use to grade the webservation are listed below. Each criterion is worth 2 points: 1 if your work is adequate and 2 if it is impressive.

Written Work: (12 points)

a. demonstration that the information presented is understood
b. use of relevant and appropriate examples from the course
c. recognizes key issues involved
d. pays attention to use of rhetoric
e. effective critique of website style and format
f. clarity and coherent explanation of points made

Group Presentation: (4 points)

a. Relates presentation to specific class materials (readings, etc.)
b. Engages rest of class in discussion of ethical issues involved

• Length of Essay: 4-5 pages or 1000-1250 words

• Due Date: You may hand in a draft or outline at any time (within reason) for comments without a grade. All students are strongly encourage to discuss the project and show me a draft for help. You may hand in your final draft on the last day of class, or no later than May 7 between 1:30-3:30 pm in 200F Davison.

• Guidelines: Each student will chose one of the six options in the three general topics (a handout will be provided in class). Three days are set aside for the student group presentations: 4/8, 4/13 and 4/15. The major part of the project is an individual essay, critically assessing websites (and or films and other media) in relation to information provided in the readings and ethical issues raised about the nude or naked human body.

In preparing this critique, keep in mind the following points for analyzing websites:

> What can you learn about the person or group that put the site together? Are the names of the writers or creators indicated and do they solicit feedback? Are you able to tell if it is a reputable person or mainstream organization?
> Who is the site directed to? Is it trying to convert you to an idea? Do you think it has a commercial interest (trying to get money from you)?
> What do you find the most useful aspect of the site? How user-friendly is it?
> From your perspective, do you find any bias, misleading or erroneous information on the site? Do you find information that contradicts or confirms what you have learned in class? If so, what is the response of the site webmasters if you are able to send your comments or criticism?

In writing your essay, keep in mind the following:

> Do not just list content or descriptive information presented on the site. This is neither a term paper nor a summary of the contents. Be as clear and concise as you can; the idea is to develop your points and not to list descriptive information fot its own sake.
> This is an essay (like an op-ed piece) arguing a point. You do not need to reference the websites I assigned, but do indicate any new websites you find. You should only quote material if you are directly commenting on it. Do not quote any descriptive information; make an argument.
> Discuss in detail how you are influenced by the site in terms of who put it out, who it is directed to, its user-friendliness and any perceived bias. For this you need to determine the source of the webpage assigned and try to figure out the starting assumptions and “biases” of those putting out the site.
>You should act like an anthropologist approaching a “foreign”culture to understand it rather than to judge it or dismiss it. But be aware of the ethical issues involved and engage with these.

For your essay, do the following:

> For the topic you have chosen, describe the ethical issues involved. What makes a human nude image shameful in your cultural eyes and what makes it not shameful or unethical in another or past cultural view? Address the ethical issues involved in terms of the pros and cons. You should provide your own view as well, but be aware of opposing views. You will not be graded on your own view, but you will be held accountable for recognizing other views.
> Use specific examples from the websites to illustrate your argument about the symbolism of nudity or near nudity. As you do this, provide a critical assessment of the selected sites (from those provided or any you find on your own) in order to provide the context for the way in which the images are presented.
> In your argument, relate your points to relevant class material and be specific in citing class readings. The idea of the essay is to benefit from the class material in analyzing material presented in cyberspace.

TOPICS

4/8 The Nude in the Media

A. Film and Video

Tim Clark
Catherine Fischetto
Dino Litourgis

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1071731/nypd_blue_nude_scene_reenactment_by_liv_films/

http://www.nakednews.com/

http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/177380/Nude-For-Satan/trailers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9waG21OcYAw&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=801hQq_vJXQ

http://clothesfree.com/movies.html

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2001/julyweb-only/7-16-42.0.html

http://www.ameamovies.com/samples/