CHIN2600 Assessment Task 1: Video Presentation

Purposes: Identify a real-world and language-centered problem. Use the theories or concepts learned in class to explain the problem. Communicate your preliminary findings to others. Prepare you for writing a language analysis paper as the final course paper.   

Due Date: 16 September 2024 at 3:00pm

Weight: 40%

Task Description:

Make a video explaining to others (instructors and students in CHIN2600) how the theories/concepts you have learned from CHIN2600 can be used to explain a problem in your social life. You are highly encouraged to develop this video project into your final analysis report, which will focus on data analysis and proposed solutions.  

Details: You will need to identity a research topic about real-world, language-based problems; explain why it is a problem by including all aspects; justify why the problems are critical by reviewing existing discussions; connect the problems to an aspect of Chinese language discussed in the class; explain which theory or concept taught in class can better explain the problems; collect some “social interactional” data to illustrate the problem (e.g., recordings of social interactions or online discussion); use concepts/theories taught in class to analyse two examples from the data; and present your findings.       

Format: You will need to create a video using voice-over-powerpoint (or similar). Zoom recording can support this purpose. You also want to make sure that your face is shown in the video.   

Submission: Upload your video to Blackboard (CHIN2600 Blackboard > Assessment > Video Project > Video Submission).

What to include in your video:

1. What is your topic? Why is it a problem? Why is it important?  

2. What are the existing discussions about the problem (e.g., news media, online survey, or ethnographic interview)?   

3. Which aspects of language use covered in CHIN2600 are relevant to the problem?

4. What theories or concepts taught in the class can be used to better understand the problem (and help you come up with solutions in the final project)?   

5. What is your language data? How will they be collected?

6. Use theories or concepts taught in the class to analyze two examples from the data.

7. What did you learn from this project (e.g., reflect critically on your analysis or the strengths, weaknesses, or problems of the theories)?   

8. What is the take-home message of the presentation?  

You should make extensive research on your topic and show your understanding in the presentation with social interactional examples. Make your presentation engaging and insightful.

Language: English or Mandarin Chinese

Length: 8 minutes. (Anything after 8 minutes will not be viewed or marked).

Assessment criteria:

- Demonstrate understanding of theories or concepts discussed in the class and able to use them to explain real-world, language-based problem in social life

- clear coherent expression, engaging communication style.

- effective use of visuals/multimedia/Powerpoint

- Check the rubric for more details

Weekly plan and important dates:

1. Week 4: Introduce the project & brainstorm ideas

2. Week 8: Group conferences (see below for the schedule). All conferences are in the classroom and are in lieu of regular class meetings. Before the conference, try to come up with at least one question you have encountered when working on the paper, and your instructors will try to address at least one of your questions during the conference. While attending the conference is optional, you are encouraged to join your assigned session because this is the only time your instructor will comment on your project and provide individualized feedback. Note that in fairness to students who follow our plan, we will not provide feedback on projects via emails or other time outside the class.   

3. September 16: Video due at 3:00 pm (Brisbane time).