The medium in which you submit your final project should be most appropriate for the questions you are trying to answer and issues you are hoping to raise. Simply writing a paper and submitting it as an HTML document is not acceptable. Web-sites differ from written assignments in many ways, all of which should inform your decision to submit in this medium, and all of which should be exploited in the final product.
1. A web-site is a multimedia platform. Your web-site should be neither mostly text nor mostly pictures, but a clearly organized combination of both. No single page should contain more than 500 words of text -- any more and you should use targets. Most pages should contain graphics. No single image should be larger than about 50K -- larger, more detailed pictures can appear as links to thumbnail images. Remember that a web-site is much more than a paper with illustrations -- if this is where it's heading, then submit a paper with illustrations.
2. Web-sites allow greater clarity of organization. For example, a typical web-site might be organized as follows: index (topic1, topic2…) => Topic Main Page (links, images, related topics) => links page (with references, outside sources). Therefore, your web-site should have a clear, multi-tiered, logical structure. You should aim to have at least a dozen internal links (preferably many more), and an equal number of external links. Internal links should be clearly related to the structure; external links should be logical and informative targets for further lines of enquiry.
3. Web-sites should have a single theme, and a particular purpose. This is the equivalent of your thesis in an argumentative paper, and should be clearly stated or indicated on the main page of your site.
4. Web-sites are conceived as autodirected presentations. You should endeavor to make each page eye-catching and aesthetically pleasing, making full use of graphics, tables, lines, fonts, and styles. You may also consider making the web-site interactive, using pull-down menus or text boxes, or keeping a file for viewer comments.
5. Web-sites should work. There should be no dead links, gibberish or garbled text, or empty images. Your web-site can be submitted either off-line or on-line. Your Teaching Fellow can point you in the right direction for further tech support, but the final work should be your own, including putting the site together and editing individual pages.
Grading Guidelines for web-sites
"C" range: The site takes advantage of some, but not all, of the opportunities of the web-site medium. It might make use of some graphics but lacks supporting text, or it might have a basic structure without a primary purpose or point. The site might provide some external links, but they are haphazard and chosen in an unsophisticated manner. Internal links are not well-chosen with the framework of the site. The site might have considerable technical difficulties. A site will fall below a "C" if it displays poor or no understanding of the advantages of the web-site medium (for example, it lacks any graphics or links). [See NOTE below]
"B" range: The site's purpose is clear and displays comprehension of the course material, indicating critical thinking about the issues raised. Both internal and external links are well-chosen and clearly inserted within the structure of the site. The site is well-structured, providing clarity of organization. Different media (drawings, photos, text) are exploited and balanced. While coherent, the site does not have the complexity, insight, or structure of an A range web-site; while clear, for example, the purpose of the site is simplistic and non-argumentative.
"A" range: This site is outstanding in form and content. The purpose of the site is clear and insightful, expanding in a new way on ideas presented in the course, containing an individual thesis or argument. The structure of the site is clear but complex, with cross- and back-links. The site takes full advantage of different media. Links are chosen comprehensively, clearly showing considerable care and research in their choice. The site deftly handles the kinds of evidence it utilizes, and also serves as a springing-board for further research.
NOTE: In certain cases, the Teaching Fellow reserves the right to grade the site as an argumentative paper, charging the submission a full grade penalty for inappropriate use of medium.