Worksheet for Postgraduate Students on Cultural Studies

 Worksheet for Postgraduate Students on Cultural Studies

Task: Exploring Contemporary Cultural Concepts

Objective: To critically engage with key concepts in contemporary cultural studies using AI as a learning tool.

Instructions:

1. Familiarize yourself with the following concepts:

   • Slow Movement
   • Dromology
   • Risk Society
   • Postfeminism
   • Hyperreal
   • Hypermodernism
   • Cyberfeminism
   • Posthumanism

2. Engage with Gemini/ChatGPT: Use the following prompt to initiate a conversation with the AI about each concept:

   Prompt: "Explain the concept of [insert concept here] in cultural studies, providing a clear definition, its key characteristics, and a relevant example. Relate this concept to contemporary society and discuss its potential implications."

3. Analyze the AI's response: Carefully read and evaluate the information provided by the AI. Consider its accuracy, clarity, and comprehensiveness.

4. Conduct further research: Supplement the AI's response with your own research using academic sources (books, journals, articles).

5. Write a blog post: Based on your understanding from the AI's response and your own research, write a blog post of approximately 800-1000 words that addresses the following:

   • A clear and concise explanation of each concept.
   • Real-world examples that illustrate each concept.
   • Connections and relationships between the different concepts.
   • Critical analysis of the concepts and their relevance in contemporary society.
   • Your own perspectives and insights on the implications of these concepts for the future.

Submission:

• Submit your blog post electronically in a Word document or PDF format.
• Include a title page with your name, student ID, and the date.
• Use a clear and engaging writing style, with proper grammar and spelling.
• Cite all sources using a consistent citation style (e.g., MLA, APA).

Assessment Criteria:

• Understanding of concepts: Demonstrates a clear and accurate understanding of the key concepts.
• Critical analysis: Provides insightful analysis and evaluation of the concepts and their significance.
• Real-world application: Effectively uses real-world examples to illustrate the concepts.
• Synthesis and connections: Identifies connections and relationships between the different concepts.
• Clarity and organization: Presents ideas in a clear, organized, and engaging manner.
• Research and referencing: Supports arguments with evidence from credible sources and uses proper citation format.

Tips for Success:

• Be specific in your prompts to the AI. The more specific your questions, the more relevant and helpful the responses will be.
• Don't rely solely on the AI's responses. Use the AI as a starting point for your research and supplement it with your own exploration of academic sources.
• Think critically about the information provided by the AI. Evaluate its accuracy and consider different perspectives.
• Use real-world examples to make the concepts more relatable and understandable.
• Connect the concepts to your own experiences and observations.
• Proofread your blog post carefully before submitting it.

This worksheet provides a structured framework for postgraduate students to engage with complex cultural concepts using AI as a tool for learning and critical thinking. By following these instructions, students can develop a deeper understanding of these concepts and their relevance in contemporary society, while also enhancing their research and writing skills.

Reading Resources:

Slow Movement

• Books:
  • Honoré, Carl. In Praise of Slowness: How a Worldwide Movement Is Challenging the Cult of Speed. HarperOne, 2005.
  • Parkins, Wendy. The Slow Food Movement: Politics, Pleasure, and the Paradox of Locality. Temple University Press, 2010.
• Journal Articles:
  • Griffiths, Michael B., and Dawn Gilpin. "Slow Tourism: An Alternative Tourism for a Sustainable World." Journal of Sustainable Tourism, vol. 28, no. 7, 2020, pp. 904-918.
• TED Talk:
  • Tim Leberecht: "3 Ways to Practice Slow Leadership" [Video]. TED, [invalid URL removed]. Accessed 12 Oct. 2024.
  • Blog: https://blog.dilipbarad.com/2020/02/slow-movement.html

Dromology

• Books:
  • Virilio, Paul. Speed and Politics: An Essay on Dromology. Semiotext(e), 2006.
  • Virilio, Paul. The Information Bomb. Verso, 2000.
• Journal Articles:
  • Armitage, John. "Paul Virilio: From Modernism to Hypermodernism and Beyond." Theory, Culture & Society, vol. 21, no. 1, 2004, pp. 53-78.

Risk Society

• Books:
  • Beck, Ulrich. Risk Society: Towards a New Modernity. Sage Publications, 1992.
  • Giddens, Anthony. The Consequences of Modernity. Polity Press, 1990.
• Journal Articles:
  • Lupton, Deborah. "Risk and the Ontology of Pregnant Embodiment." Risk Management, vol. 4, no. 4, 2002, pp. 33-49.

Postfeminism

• Books:
  • Gill, Rosalind. Postfeminist Media Culture: Elements of a Sensibility. Palgrave Macmillan, 2007.
  • Tasker, Yvonne, and Diane Negra. Interrogating Postfeminism: Gender and the Politics of Popular Culture. Duke University Press, 2007.  
• Journal Articles:
  • McRobbie, Angela. "Post-feminism and Popular Culture." Feminist Media Studies, vol. 4, no. 3, 2004, pp. 255-264.

Hyperreal

• Books:
  • Baudrillard, Jean. Simulacra and Simulation. University of Michigan Press, 1994.
  • Eco, Umberto. Travels in Hyperreality. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1986.
• Journal Articles:
  • Kellner, Douglas. "Jean Baudrillard: From Marxism to Postmodernism and Beyond." Theory, Culture & Society, vol. 10, no. 2, 1993, pp. 1-48.

Hypermodernism

• Books:
  • Lipovetsky, Gilles. Hypermodern Times. Polity Press, 2005.
  • Virilio, Paul. The Art of the Motor. University of Minnesota Press, 1995.
• Journal Articles:
  • Kirby, Alan. "The Death of Postmodernism and Beyond." Philosophy Now, no. 58, 2006, pp. 31-33.

Cyberfeminism

• Books:
  • Plant, Sadie. Zeros + Ones: Digital Women and the New Technoculture. Fourth Estate, 1997.
  • Haraway, Donna J. Simians, Cyborgs, and Women: The Reinvention of Nature. Routledge, 1991.
• Journal Articles:
  • Hawthorne, Susan, and Renate Klein. "Cyberfeminism: Connectivity, Critique and Creativity." Spinifex Press, 1999.
  • Blog: https://blog.dilipbarad.com/2020/02/cyberfeminism-ai-and-gender-biases.html

Posthumanism

• Books:
  • Braidotti, Rosi. The Posthuman. Polity Press, 2013.
  • Hayles, N. Katherine. How We Became Posthuman: Virtual Bodies in Cybernetics, Literature, and Informatics. University of Chicago Press, 1999.  
• Journal Articles:
  • Wolfe, Cary. "What Is Posthumanism?" University of Minnesota Press, 2010.
  • Blog: https://blog.dilipbarad.com/2019/03/why-are-we-so-scared-of-robots-ais.html

This list provides a starting point for your research. You can find more resources by searching library databases, online journals, and academic websites. Remember to evaluate the credibility and relevance of each source before using it. Good luck with your exploration of these complex and thought-provoking concepts!

AI-Assisted Self-Assessment of Essay Type Descriptive Answers

 

[Video recording of the live session]

Transcript for the "Essay Type Answer Writing | Error Analysis & AI-assisted Self-assessment | Academic Writing Workshop" by Merlin and organised by Chat GPT

Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome to another installment of our academic writing workshop series. These workshops have become a tradition, occurring at the close of each semester following our internal tests. It's a time when teachers meticulously review your answer scripts, pinpointing common errors for discussion. But beyond this, it's a chance for you to engage in a crucial aspect of academic growth: self-assessment.

Self-assessment involves more than just glancing over your work; it requires a deep dive into your writing, identifying both obvious mistakes and subtler nuances that often escape notice. Consider creating PDFs of your answer books, allowing for ongoing reflection and improvement, whether you're at home or in the hostel. While AI tools can assist in this process, it's essential to remember that they're just that—tools. Our ultimate goal is to maintain and enhance our own writing abilities, not to become overly reliant on technology.

As we transition into discussing the role of AI in our workshops, it's important to strike a balance. While AI offers valuable insights and can even serve as a personalized tutor, it's not without its limitations. Over-reliance on AI runs the risk of diminishing our own linguistic capabilities. Our workshops aim to harness the benefits of AI while ensuring that human judgment and creativity remain at the forefront.

In analyzing sample answers, we aim to bridge the gap between proficiency and excellence. By leveraging both AI insights and human discernment, we can identify areas for improvement and chart a course towards advanced levels of writing proficiency. Practical exercises are integral to this process, allowing you to apply feedback and refine your approach iteratively.

As we conclude today's workshop, I encourage you to continue honing your writing skills beyond these sessions. The journey towards academic excellence is ongoing, and your commitment to self-assessment and improvement will undoubtedly pay dividends in the long run. Thank you for your participation, and don't forget to complete the assigned activities.

The highlights of the session:

Mastering Essay Writing: Error Analysis & AI-powered Self-Assessment

This blog post summarizes an academic writing workshop focused on improving essay writing through error analysis and AI-assisted self-assessment.

Introduction

The workshop addresses a common challenge: the gap between internal assessments (where improvement is possible) and final exams (where it's not). It emphasizes the importance of strong writing skills and explores how AI tools can enhance self-assessment without diminishing human writing ability.

Challenges of Traditional Error Analysis

Personalized feedback can be time-consuming for teachers.

Replicating student answers with high-quality variations is difficult for humans.

AI as a Solution

Generative AI offers one-on-one tutoring through feedback suggestions.

AI excels at analyzing student writing and suggesting improvements.

Cautions and Best Practices

Overreliance on AI can hinder independent writing development.

Critical thinking skills remain essential, and AI should not replace them.

University exams typically require writing without AI assistance.

Benefits of AI-assisted Self-Assessment

Identifies areas for improvement (e.g., grammar, mechanics, clarity).

Elevates writing quality from B1/B2 to C1/C2 levels (CEFR framework).

Provides suggestions for stronger introductions, conclusions, and stances.

Workshop Activity

1. Analyze Past Errors: Review feedback from teachers on past exams.
2. Select an Answer: Choose an answer you wrote for a previous internal assessment.
3. AI Feedback: Upload a photocopy/PDF of your answer to a designated AI tool.
4. Prompt Selection: Clearly state you are a postgraduate student seeking a high academic level response.
5. Self-Assessment: Analyze the AI's suggestions and compare them to your original writing.
6. Continuous Improvement: Practice writing and self-assessment throughout the semester, aiming for excellence without AI dependence.

Conclusion

This workshop equips students with the tools and strategies to become self-sufficient, confident essay writers. By combining traditional error analysis with AI-powered feedback, students can elevate their writing skills and achieve academic success.