Synthetic-critical papers
Assignment: Two synthetic-critical (SC) papers. Each paper draws together five weeks’ worth of readings, by comparing, contrasting, and critiquing them, in about five pages. These are intended to be relatively short assignments; no additional research is required beyond the assigned readings. However you should cite the readings as you discuss them, using any standard for scholarly references. Each paper is due by Saturday in the week it was assigned, by email attachment sent to the instructor with the following subject line: “SC paper”. (Note: all page counts refer to double spaced, 12 pt, 1” margin pages.)
Rather than simply summarize the readings one by one, the idea is to synthesize them, while also critiquing them (indicating problems, limitations). You can do this in any way you please. For instance, you might identify a list of five (or more, or fewer) themes which recur in all (most) of the readings; discussing these themes one by one (critically reviewing each of the readings for each) will automatically cause you to synthesize. You should reference the assigned readings, as well as your selected readings. If you've been doing the readings and taking notes, the assignment should not be onerous.
Please do not summarize the readings in your paper.
One way of approaching this assignment is to apply the following schema as a lens through which to view the readings, each of which can be understood as providing an instance of language performance genres, and data about its possible ritual effects, or evolution over time:Comparative schema for mapping systems of language performance.
However you may apply any schema for discussing, comparing, contrasting, critiquing, and synthesizing the papers you've read. Please do reference all (most of) the readings in your papers: the first half in the first paper, and the second half in the second.
