The assessments for this course are a series of three items related to each other. Your final project is a topical analysis of one (or two) episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer that you choose from the following list:

What's My Line (pt 1 & pt 2, s2,e9&10)

Innocence (s2,e14)

Anne (s3,e1)

Amends (s3,e10)

Graduation Day (pt 1 & pt 2, s3,e21&22)

Fear Itself (s4,e4)

A New Man (s4,e12)

Restless (s4,e22)

Fool for Love (s5,e7)

Bargaining (pt 1& pt 2, s6,e1&2)

Conversations with Dead People (s7,e7)

End of Days (s7,e21)

Note: if you chose a two-part episode, you must consider the narrative of both episodes in your report.

As you can see, none of the permitted episodes are assigned for class (and no other episodes may be the basis of your report); however, you are welcome to use the topics and/or characters that we examine for your report.

Teams of two or three are invited to work to create an audio-visual presentation; however, written reports must be undertaken alone. Your choice of options is sealed with the submission of your proposal for either the written or audio-visual project. To find team members, please post on this Finding Project Team Members discussion board.

I. Major Project (60% of final grade)

1. Proposal

A proposal for your final project, either a written analysis or an audio-visual presentation of your analysis.

Using Bite Me: An Unofficial Guide to the World of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, by Nikki Stafford (ECW Press, 2002) or the Buffy Fandom wiki, choose an episode description that you find interesting from the list above. Watch that episode, then choose a relevant topic that illuminates something to do with religion in that episode. As noted above, you can use one of the topics that we discuss in class, but you are not permitted to analyse one of the episodes assigned for home or class viewing. You are then expected to find three articles or book chapters (at least one of which is a peer-reviewed scholarly article) related to that topic, character, and/or episode that have not been assigned in class.

Your proposal (due on February 3) shall include a brief description (written by you) of the episode and discussion of how the topic is represented. A working bibliography of your three chosen articles is also included. Please use the Chicago Manual of Style for your bibliographical citations.

Your proposal ought to be no fewer than 100 words (and no more than 200 words). Worth 10% of your final grade.

2. Annotated Bibliography

Following a thesis statement for your proposed project (as it has developed since your proposal, 100-150 words), write three brief annotations (200 words each), one for each of your chosen articles or book chapters, that summarizes the argument of its author, analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of the article or chapter, and concluded by a discussion of how the argument (and its evidence) will support your own thesis.

Your annotated bibliography (due on March 3) should include a citation of your selected items using the Chicago Manual of Style.

Worth 20% of your final grade.

3. Final report

A significant written report or audio-visual presentation (due April 4) that offers analysis of your chosen episode of Buffy through the lens of the topic of your choice and relevant scholarship. Your report (whether written or audio-visual) shall include the following elements:

thesis statement
summary of the episode
discussion of your topic as it appears in the episode
analysis of one scene from the episode that presents your topic and thesis
Summary of your argument and evidence
Conclusion that articulates why your work (and this kind of work) is important.

All reports must be accompanied by a Works Cited page or list, using Chicago Manual of Style. For the written report, use in-text citations only (no footnotes or endnotes) along with your Works Cited. For the audio or audio/visual reports, please include brief references to the authors of arguments or evidence you cite in your report, then attach a Works Cited page or document.

Worth 30% of your final grade.

II. Weekly Quizzes (40% of final grade)

Short quizzes will be offered each week (each is worth 5% of your final grade; 12 quizzes will be available over the semester; you will receive credit for your best 8). The quiz will be based on assigned materials (readings, the weekly episode) and issues discussed in class. Please note that no slides or recordings of the class will be available, so attendance and participation in class is encouraged.

The quiz will open on Thursdays at 9 am be available until 11:59 pm on Saturdays. You will have one hour to complete the quiz once you begin. Questions will be asked one at a time and you cannot go back or change your answers once submitted. You are graded on each question for up to 4 marks per quiz.

Worth 40% of your final grade.