This paper is pretty open to write about whatever you want that pertains to masculinity studies. I am going to attach some ideas from the syllabus below, and ideas from other classmates at the end so you can have an idea of what others are doing. let me know if you have any questions.
Professional Writing: Perhaps a marketing/curriculum plan for the student organization MMARS: Middletown Men Against Rape and Sexual Assault; or, designs for other advocacy efforts?
Pedagogical: Perhaps a plan for a course module the provides rationale for assigned texts focused on an area this course needs to cover? A project in this area might make a case, for instance, about a feature of masculinity studies this course should include and make an argument for a set of texts, exercises, assignments that would constitute a course unit devoted to that feature.
Theory: Perhaps papers that expand on an area we cover in this course or one we should be covering? A project in this area might take a view of a particular area of feminism or a particular theorist and articulate/critique their assumptions about masculinity.
Cultural/Literary Analysis: Perhaps a paper that brings to bear issues we discuss in this class to a literary or cultural text (movie, comic books, etc.)? Such an analysis would use theories of masculinity to unpack features of the text and vice versa (the text speaks back to/extends notions of masculinity.
Creative Writing: Perhaps poetry, stories, creative non-fiction/memoir, screenplays, etc., that help viewers explore dimensions of masculinity?
Rhetorical Analysis: Perhaps a project focused on the ways masculinity shapes/is shaped by language in particular venues/circumstances (e.g., chop busting, “locker room” talk, online dating, etc.)?
Integrated and/or Multi-Modal: Perhaps a projects that combines the modes listed above and/or employs media beyond writing? I can see where all of the suggestions above might blur into one another.
Examples from other students in the class:
“As stated in a previous discussion, I think my second project would be on the idea of large corporations using their commercials to educate the issues of toxic masculinity, social movements, or any social standard that has not been challenged. For example, we have examined the Gillette commercial a few modules ago. I think this was a perfect example of how effective a corporation can be at pushing a narrative of good social standards. The commercial covered important movements like the me-too movement, toxic masculinity in young men, and fatherhood objectives.
By using statistical evidence based on views, social response, and other standards of evaluation, I can determine the effectiveness of these type of commercials on the public. This could be a paper that could determine if I company would take the chance on creating more transparency with their consumers. It would also have an opposing narrative of how toxic masculinity or things like a cancel culture can be pushed in commercials to sell products. I would like to hear ideas. I think someone linked a commercial last time which was very helpful! “
“I have no idea what I want to do yet so here are a couple different ideas:
1. What are the detriments to toxic masculinity (Persuasive Essay)
2. Why do straight white men perceive themselves as the victim (Research Essay)
3. The masculinity of baking (An analysis of the split gender roles of men and women in the kitchen, i.e, at home versus professionally)
4. A history of the masculinity of poetry and artistic expression is tied to masculinity along class oriented lines.
5. Yet another essay on why Trump supporters are really insecure. “
“For this project, Im going to be looking at the ideals and concepts of masculinity as it pertains to the world of video games, a medium Im well versed in. For most of the forty years video games have been widely available to consumers, its been a male-dominated market (for historical reasons I can get into depth about later), but recently its become more omnisex and genderless. I want to discuss how video games have shaped culture of men and, more specifically, how the culture of men has shaped video games. “