Short analysis essay

Write a short essay, of three to four pages, that constitutes an initial study of one of the primary texts (fiction, movie, or Second Life) on the course. The paper must treat a text that has not yet been discussed in seminar; as such, the paper must be handed in no later that the beginning of class on the first day the text the paper treats is discussed in class. Essays shorter than two full pages may be returned unread or with a failing grade.

The approach you take to this assignment is open; however, your essay should be an argumentative essay. You should propose a theory (or thesis) and argue for it. You may talk only about the text at hand; you may compare the text to other texts on our course; you may discuss the text in the context of a critical or theoretical essay; or you may choose another viable approach. The essay should of course treat the digital world(s) as presented in the primary text: it should examine issues relating to one or more of space, work, religion, individuality, sexuality, etc., as informed by the context of the digital world(s).

The paper cannot treat a text that is scheduled for discussion the same day that you are the designated seminar leader. It may treat a text scheduled for the same day you are scheduled as presenter or the designated respondent to a presentation.

As with any essay, value will be awarded based on the depth of the analysis, the complexity of the discussion, the solidity of the writing, and the thoroughness of the support to the thesis.