Prompt and grading rubric for “Write Your Own Apocalypse” assignment

GenEd 1001 – Stories from the End of the World

Throughout the course we have looked at a series of cultural products through which authors have
engaged with apocalyptic motifs and images. We have seen how authors have chosen a great variety of
media to “play” with the idea of the end of the world. The analysis of these products has shown that
different cultures and epochs have engaged with the “apocalypse” in different ways, conditioned and
constrained by their different social and cultural contexts. Throughout we have also seen that imagining
the end of the world in the future has been and still is an effective means to critique, try to preserve, and
in general reflect on the conditions of the present. As such, “apocalypses” are as much thought
experiments about the future as they are nostalgic reminiscences of the past, or of a present that is
unavoidably sliding out of human reach into the past.
We have also seen that apocalyptic motifs and ideas are pervasive in our popular culture, in our
political discourse, and even in our entertainment. As such, these motifs and ideas are mobilized by
authors with different agendas in order to achieve different goals. The course has equipped you with some
tools to analyze and understand these agendas and goals. The next and final step is to try your own hand
at designing an “apocalypse” suited to your own agendas and goals.
You are asked to “compose” your own “apocalypse” using the medium of your preference (short
story, poetry, drama, short videos, podcasts, pictures, songs, and so on) in consultation with your section
leader. The length and complexity of the project should be appropriate to the chosen medium (so, for
example, ​written texts should be at least 3000 words long, while videos should be no longer than 5
minutes)​ . ​For those who will choose to produce an art piece​ (poem, painting, drawing, sculpture, music,
and so on) ​the final “product” should be accompanied by an explanation of at least 1000 words,
illustrating the authorial choices and the apocalyptic ideas and motifs incorporated in the piece of art​.
A crucial goal of the entire course has been to invite you to reflect on the deliberate choices that
go into the creation of “apocalypses.” Thus, ​each of you will have to append to your final “product” a
two-paragraph comment illustrating your choices with reference to materials presented in the course
and, in particular, indicating a motif or idea that you have eventually decided to leave out of your final
assignment.​ This two-paragraph comment can be incorporated into the 1000-word explanation for those
creating a painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.
Finally, over weeks 11 and 12 of the course, each student will be required to present an outline or
a concept of their own “apocalypse” to their peers in section. For this presentation you are not expected to
have a full draft (even though that would not be a bad thing to have per se!). An outline or a concept is
sufficient, and you will be given sufficient time in section to present them and discuss them with your
fellow students. In getting and offering feedback you will be required to focus on three main questions: 1.
What are the images and motifs appearing in the project? 2. Are these images and motifs deployed in an
effective way? 3. What other images and motifs could be added, and what could be left out? The
participation in this feedback exercise will be considered an integral part of the grade earned for the final
assignment.
● Note: Email your TF by ​Thursday, November 7​ with your project idea.
● Project deadline: Monday, December 9, 11:59pm
● For appointments with our class Media Fellow (Dr. Jungmin Lee):
jungminlee@fas.harvard.edu
GRADING RUBRIC

Excellent Good Needs Poor

Improvement

Selection of You have carefully You have selected an The selected project is You have not selected
the selected an appropriate not appropriate as an anything
appropriate “apocalyptic” “apocalypse.”
“apocalypse” “apocalyptic” project, but you have
project, and you not been able to
have been able to organize the
organize the apocalyptic images
apocalyptic images and tropes in an
and tropes effective way.
in an effective way.
Excellent Good Needs Poor
Improvement

Effective You have carefully You demonstrate The imagery and motifs You do not engage in
illustration thought about the engagement with the in your selected any significant way
imagery and motifs imagery and motifs “apocalyptic” project with the apocalyptic
of the in your selected in your selected are addressed imagery.
deployment “apocalyptic” “apocalyptic” in some
of project and project and you sense, but their
apocalyptic provided an made appropriate treatment is cursory
imagery effective references to and lacks appropriate
illustration of their materials presented references to materials
deployment. in the course, but presented in the
you have not fully course.
engaged critically
with their
deployment.
Excellent Good Needs Poor
Improvement

Technical Project has been Some technical Many technical issues, The project has
execution carefully curated issues and failings, such that it’s difficult significant
from a technical but not enough that for the audience to technical issues in its
point of view and they distract from the understand your execution that detract
has very few issues audience’s ability to meaning (for texts, substantially from
hindering easily understand grammar and style, effective
understanding and your project (for and other appropriate communication (for
communication.​ texts, grammar and technical aspects for texts, grammar and
style, and other other media). style, and other
appropriate appropriate technical
technical aspects for aspects for other
other media). media).