Final Analysis Paper
COMM 3313 Final Analysis Paper
100 points
The purpose of this interracial communication analysis paper is to offer a critical analysis of your own journey through the course and to demonstrate understanding and mastery of course concepts. In the paper, you are asked to analyze (1) the factors that contributed to (or hindered) the establishment of an online classroom community and (2) how your communication within and outside of the class has been affected by your learning experiences this semester. This paper also serves as an analysis of the reality of race in contemporary society and how knowledge impacts interpersonal experiences in online classroom environments and in real world contexts.
This paper has five parts: (1) a description of the experience overall, (2) an analysis of interracial communication theories, (3) an analysis of factors impacting the evolution of the classroom community, (4) an analysis of cultural identity, and (5) a reflection and application. In part one (worth 5 points), please describe your overall experience with the course by identifying your realm of experience with the topic of race within and outside the class and the degree to which these experiences address issues of race in everyday life. In part two (worth 40 points), please identify four concepts and/or theories from the textbook that helped you better understand race as a social construct and its role in identity construction in interpersonal (interracial) communication. In part three (worth 20 points), please discuss specific communication strategies you feel either contributed to or hindered the class from establishing a collective identity as an online class community. In part four (worth 20 points), please discuss the impact your racial identity had on your own class experience by describing how your race and ethnicity affected your participation in discussions, your out-of-class interactions, and the degree to which you became more aware of the importance of race in the real world. In part five (worth 15 points), please offer three suggestions as to how you can change (or did change) your behavior and way of thinking about race in order to improve race relations in your interpersonal interactions outside the classroom. This paper should be 8-10 pages in length and include a reference page with at least 4 scholarly peer-reviewed academic journal articles in APA format.
Submit your final analysis paper in .doc(x) format using the submission portal on Blackboard. The analysis paper is worth 100 points. Refer to the course calendar for assignment due date. Please be sure to carefully review the following grading rubric to ensure you address all assignment requirements. If you are at all unsure of your writing abilities, please visit the University of Houston-Downtown’s Writing & Reading Center. The Writing & Reading Center offers appointments online. Please see the following website for more information: https://uhd.mywconline.comhttp:https://uhd.mywconline.com
COMM 3313 Analysis Paper Grading Rubric
Part 1: Describe Overall Experience Above Expectations Meets Expectations Below Expectations
5 pts. Thoughtful and concise description of overall experience with the course by explaining experience with the topic of race within and outside the class. Thoroughly describes the degree to which these experiences address issues of race in everyday life. Offers at least three specific examples and demonstrates evidence of critical thought. Free from grammar, punctuation, or spelling errors. Demonstrates mastery of several course concepts.
4 pts. Offers description of overall experience with the course by identifying realm of experience with the topic of race within and outside the class and the degree which these experiences relate to race issues in real life. Offers at least two specific examples. May include only minor grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors. Demonstrates understanding of course concepts.
0-3 pts. Description of overall experience is unclear, vague, or does not relate directly to the topic of race within and/or outside of class. Does not address the degree to which these experiences address issues of race in everyday life. No specific examples offered. May contain several grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors. Does not demonstrate understanding of course concepts.
Part 2: Analyze Interracial Communication Theories Above Expectations Meets Expectations Below Expectations
36-40 pts. Identified five concepts and/or theories from the textbook that promoted understanding race as a social construct and its role in identity construction in interpersonal (interracial) communication. Incorporates at least 5 scholarly peer- reviewed academic journal articles in APA format. Free from grammar, punctuation, or spelling errors. Demonstrates mastery of several course concepts.
28-35 pts. Identified four concepts and/or theories from the textbook that promoted understanding race as a social construct and its role in identity construction in interpersonal (interracial) communication. Incorporates at least 4 scholarly peer- reviewed academic journal articles in APA format. May include only minor grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors. Demonstrates understanding of course concepts.
0-27 pts. Identified three (or less) concepts and/or theories from the textbook that promoted understanding race as a social construct and its role in identity construction in interpersonal (interracial) communication. Incorporates fewer than 4 scholarly peer- reviewed academic journal articles. May not be cited in APA format. May contain several grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors. Does not demonstrate understanding of course concepts.
Part 3: Analyze Impact on Classroom Community Above Expectations Meets Expectations Below Expectations
18-20 pts. Several specific 14-17 pts. Discussed at least 0-13 pts. Discussion of communication strategies two communication strategies communication strategies is discussed and evaluated. that contributed to or vague, unclear, or incomplete. Discussion demonstrates hindered the class from Does not offer examples of critical thought and addresses establishing a collective specific communication
how these strategies contributed to or hindered class from establishing a collective identity in an online class community. Free from grammar, punctuation, or spelling errors. Demonstrates mastery of several course concepts.
identity. Adequate discussion of impact, but has potential to show more critical thought, reflection, or engagement. May include only minor grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors. Demonstrates understanding of course concepts.
strategies. Discussion of impact on collective identity lacking, vague, or unclear in some way. May contain several grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors. Does not demonstrate understanding of course concepts.
Part 4: Cultural Identity Analysis Above Expectations Meets Expectations Below Expectations
18-20 pts. Thorough discussion of racial identity impact on class experience. Describes how race and ethnicity affected discussion session participation and out- of-class interactions, demonstrating critical thought and using specific examples. Offers thoughtful and candid reflection on the degree to which you have become more aware of the importance of race in the real world. Free from grammar, punctuation, or spelling errors. Demonstrates mastery of several course concepts.
14-17pts. Discussed impact of racial identity on class experience. Describes how race and ethnicity affected discussion session participation and out-of-class interactions. Offers clear statement on the degree to which you have become more aware of the importance of race in the real world. May include only minor grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors. Demonstrates understanding of course concepts.
0-13pts. Offers limited or vague discussion of racial identity impact on class experience. Does not fully describe how race and/or ethnicity affected discussion session participation and/or out-of-class interactions. May be missing statement on the degree to which you have become more aware of the importance of race in the real world. May contain several grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors. Does not demonstrate understanding of course concepts.
Part 5: Reflection and Application Above Expectations Meets Expectations Below Expectations
14-15 pts. Offers four suggestions for changing (or how you already changed) your behavior and thinking about race to improve race relations in interpersonal interactions outside the classroom. Demonstrates critical thought and mastery of course concepts. Free from grammar, punctuation, or spelling errors.
11-13 pts. Offers three suggestions as to how you can change (or did change) your behavior and way of thinking about race in order to improve race relations in your interpersonal interactions outside the classroom. May include only minor grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors. Demonstrates understanding of course concepts.
0-10 pts. Offers fewer than three suggestions as to how you can change (or did change) your behavior and way of thinking about race in order to improve race relations in your interpersonal interactions outside the classroom. May contain several grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors. Does not demonstrate understanding of course concepts.
