Brilliant Papers

Matters-Materials-Masculinities Research Dossier Project (25%)

Rather than writing a standard academic essay for the course, you’re being asked to compose and complete a research dossier on an object of analysis, as in a specific topic, issue, theory, event, movement, debate, problem, or cultural or social object.

The aim of the dossier: collect and gather current and relevant work that considers, explains, unpacks, and interrogates your topic and focus. Be sure you keep your work tied into the course context of diverse masculinities. The project requires you to do three things: create a list (i.e., a bibliography) of your sources correctly formatted according to a citation system; compose annotations for your sources; and write 3.0-page (double-spaced) statement of intent or purpose (i.e., a synthesis essay) about the dossier (see below).

The research dossier project requires you to gather at least 10 credible academic or scholarly sources along with any other supporting sources that connect to or explain the importance of your project’s core concerns. You *can use up to 2 course readings to fill out the dossier.

[Note: gather *doesn’t literally mean “gather”, i.e., including the all the sources in full in the dossier. “Gather” means locating the sources and expressing how and why the source/work matters for the project.]

You can add texts from magazines, news sources, and online sources in order to offer and create more context as the project develops

A few things to consider:

Don’t confine yourself to topics or issues specific to the first 6 weeks. Look at the whole course, or consider matters of concern not addressed in our lessons or the readings. Select a project that interests and connects to you.
Avoid duplicating or mimicking the case studies and analyses we’ve undertaken in our lessons. This won’t fly. You can and should mobilize the ideas and concepts and approaches we’ve developed, and you can consider how issues from the lessons show up in other places, but be sure to translate, extrapolate, and synthesize the things you want to use an employ.
Avoid working on an issue that, while socially important and relevant, doesn’t shine a light on questions of diverse masculinities. In other words, monitor scope and make sure the project connects to the class

As an exercise, consider the dossier as a document that would provide an overview and a specific account of your object of analysis. It’s like a snapshot, synthesis, and starting point for the learning about the object of analysis. If you have one chance to highlight and foreground core ideas, key concepts, and essential concerns regarding your topic and object of analysis, what would you include?

The dossier is judged on consistency and coherence, but the relevance, recency, and context of the sources you gather are important and bear on the assessment.

Again: the dossier should include the following:

A 3.0-page double-spaced statement of intent/purpose (a short synthesis essay), which provides an overview and description of the work you’ve done. Explain the stakes and importance of the project, summarize some of your findings, and persuasively describe how and why the specific focus is relevant to the course, to you, and to the world at large. (Tip: draft this at the outset, but complete at the end.)
A collection of at least 10 scholarly sources. You can include more than 10 sources. Organize the sources as a bibliography and format them correctly.
Annotations and summaries for each source. The annotations describe and situate the source, contextualize the research, and explain how and why it’s important for your work. So, in other words, the annotation is like an assessment of the source (think of the dossier as a mini-literature review).

How you organize the annotations is up to you: alphabetical; thematic; academic and non-academic. Your work is being assessed on how you make sense of the sources to make apparent and clear the importance and implications of the research focus in the dossier (i.e., why do these issues and things matter?).

As a guide, annotations should be approx. 2 paragraphs (double spaced) and do the following:

Situate the source in a wider field of work.
Summarize the main arguments/ideas/concepts of the text/source in question.
Explain and connect the relevant ideas to the dossier project (i.e., why is this text/source essential.

You can also consider the following schemes to guide you: explanation/argument/summary; focus/evidence/summary; or summary/core ideas/connections.

Please avoid merely paraphrasing essay abstracts or introductions. Alert: I can tell when this is the case. The annotations should indicate some evidence of engagement with the texts/sources.

When I look at this assignment, I ask myself, “Could this dossier be the basis for a wider investigation or program of study? Does it provide insight about the core topic or object of analysis? Do I walk away with a good sense of why this issues, concern, object of inquiry, or topic is important to the course? Could someone read this as a briefing document and get a good sense of the core issues and concerns?”

Grading Rubric, Matters-Materials-Masculinities Research Dossier (25%)

	Excellent	Good	Average	Poor
Effort /5	Exceptional effort; complete well-structured dossier with clearly identified interests that connect well and make a convincing research topic; unique topic, concept, objects and used. Shows integration of feedback and improvement from proposal. Weight: 4/5-5/5	Solid effort; dossier is well laid out with 10 sources and statement but could use better organization and structuring; written statement flows but could be stronger; topic, concept, objects are original but not unique. Shows improvement from proposal plus integration of feedback. Weight: 3/5-3.75/5	Shows some effort but the dossier is not effectively organized or incomplete; topic is derivative or too general; and topics, concepts, objects mirror course lessons too closely. Shows partial improvement from proposal with some consideration of feedback. Weight: 2/5-2.75/5	Not much effort, dossier is disorganized; topic, concepts, objects are disconnected or already examined in the course. Shows little improvement and little to no integration of feedback from proposal. Weight: 0/5-1.75/5
Coherence + Organization /10	Writing quality across in the annotations and statement is sophisticated, clear, and uses proper grammar and spelling; dossier flows well, there is clear connection between the dossier’s organizations and the core themes/concerns Weight: 8/10-10/10	Writing in the annotations and statement clear uses proper grammar and spelling; dossier entries flow well but the connection between annotations and the statement of intent could be stronger. Weight: 7/10-7.5/10	Writing across the dossier is generally clear with some grammar and spelling errors; dossier entries connect to the statement and implications of the project but does not flow well, needs work and modification. Weight: 5/10-6.75/10	Overall, poorly written with many grammar and spelling errors; difficult to read continuously; entries are haphazard and disconnected from the core issues outlined in the statement. Weight: 0/10-4.75/10
Content /10	Excellent statement of intent and use of texts and concepts for analyzing the research topic selected; strong annotations that clearly demonstrates the arguments and core concerns; illuminating and effective interpretation and application of texts and concepts. Weight: 8/10 – 10/10	Good statement of intent that makes use of texts and concepts for unpacking the research topic selected; annotations are effective but could be more compelling and better connected to core concerns of the project Weight: 7/10-7.75/10	Statement shows promise but needs work on flow and clarity of consequences, implications, and core concerns; annotations are appropriate but underdeveloped, there are better texts and concepts that could have been selected. Weight: 5/10-6.75/10	Statement does not flow, is incorrect, is inappropriate or is mostly undeveloped; annotations do not connect to the topic; explanations and application of concepts are faulty, inaccurate, or incorrect; overall, inconsistent and incomplete work. Weight: 0/10-4.75/10

Again: the dossier should include the following:

A 3.0-page double-spaced statement of intent/purpose (a short synthesis essay), which provides an overview and description of the work you’ve done. Explain the stakes and importance of the project, summarize some of your findings, and persuasively describe how and why the specific focus is relevant to the course, to you, and to the world at large. (Tip: draft this at the outset, but complete at the end.)

MY PAPER TOPIC:

Title: Unveiling Vulnerabilities: The Silent Struggle of Male Body Image

Statement of Intent/Purpose:

This research dossier delves into the often overlooked and stigmatized realm of male body image, aiming to provide a condensed yet profound exploration of the challenges men face in relation to their physical appearance. By assembling a curated selection of ten credible academic or scholarly sources, along with pertinent supporting materials, this dossier seeks to serve as a snapshot, synthesis, and starting point for understanding the complexities of male body image within the context of diverse masculinities.

Summary of Findings:

Body Image Pressures Across Cultures: The dossier initiates by examining cross-cultural perspectives on male body image, shedding light on the diverse societal expectations and pressures men face in relation to their physical appearance. It underscores the importance of cultural context in shaping perceptions of masculinity.
Erosion of Self-Esteem: The Impact of Media and Advertising: Recent research illuminates the pervasive influence of media and advertising on male body image ideals. The dossier synthesizes findings that demonstrate how unrealistic portrayals contribute to the erosion of self-esteem, fostering a critical examination of media’s role in shaping masculine norms.
Intersectionality and Body Image: Exploring the intersectionality of body image, the dossier investigates how race, sexuality, and socio-economic factors intersect with perceptions of the male body. By acknowledging the multifaceted nature of identity, it provides a nuanced understanding of the unique challenges faced by diverse groups of men.
Health Consequences and Mental Well-being: A crucial aspect of the dossier delves into the health consequences of body image pressures, addressing the correlation between body dissatisfaction and mental well-being. It emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to male health that considers both physical and mental dimensions.
Body Positivity Movements and Changing Narratives: Highlighting recent developments in body positivity movements, the dossier explores how societal attitudes are evolving. It features studies and discussions that examine the potential for shifting narratives around male body image, offering a glimpse into a more inclusive and affirming future.

Relevance to the Course and Broader Context:

Within the framework of our course on diverse masculinities, this dossier serves as a critical resource for understanding the multifaceted nature of male body image. Its consistency and coherence are ensured by the meticulous selection of recent, relevant sources that speak to the current discourse on this emerging topic.

The broader context emphasizes the urgency of addressing male body image within discussions on diverse masculinities. By framing the exploration within contemporary cultural and societal contexts, the dossier seeks to prompt critical reflections on how society shapes and influences male perceptions of their own bodies.

In conclusion, this document transcends the confines of a typical academic compilation, inviting readers to grapple with the complexities of male body image. Through a synthesis of recent research, it lays the groundwork for a deeper understanding of the silent struggles men face in relation to their physical appearance, fostering empathy and advocating for a more inclusive definition of masculinity.

A collection of at least 10 scholarly sources. You can include more than 10 sources. Organize the sources as a bibliography and format them correctly.
Annotations and summaries for each source. The annotations describe and situate the source, contextualize the research, and explain how and why it’s important for your work. So, in other words, the annotation is like an assessment of the source (think of the dossier as a mini-literature review).

As a guide, annotations should be approx. 2 paragraphs (double spaced) and do the following:

Situate the source in a wider field of work.
Summarize the main arguments/ideas/concepts of the text/source in question.
Explain and connect the relevant ideas to the dossier project (i.e., why is this text/source essential.

You can also consider the following schemes to guide you: explanation/argument/summary; focus/evidence/summary; or summary/core ideas/connections.

Please avoid merely paraphrasing essay abstracts or introductions. Alert: I can tell when this is the case. The annotations should indicate some evidence of engagement with the texts/sources.

ANNOTATIONS:

Melzer, Scott. 2018. Manhood Impossible Men’s Struggles to Control and Transform Their Bodies and Work. Camden: Rutgers University Press. https://doi.org/10.36019/9780813584928.

ACCESS TO THIS IN ORDER TO ANNOTATE: https://muse.jhu.edu/book/60749

Panagiota TRAGANTZOPOULOU, and Vaitsa GIANNOULI. 2020. “EATING DISORDERS AND BODY IMAGE DISTURBANCE AMONG MALES AND FEMALES: FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF SIX THERAPISTS WITH DIFFERENT THERAPEUTIC ORIENTATION.” Anthropological Researches and Studies10 (1): 19–28. https://doi.org/10.26758/10.1.3.

ACCESS TO THIS IN ORDER TO ANNOTATE:

EATING DISORDERS AND BODY IMAGE DISTURBANCE AMONG MALES AND FEMALES: FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF SIX THERAPISTS WITH DIFFERENT THERAPEUTIC ORIENTATION

Gauvin, Stéphanie E. M., Phillip Joy, Brittany L. Dunn, Matthew Lee, and Rachel E. Williamson. 2021. “Empirical Evaluation of Rainbow Reflections: A Comic Book Anthology on Body Image for Queer Men.” Archives of Sexual Behavior 50 (1): 69–82. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-020-01876-8.

ACCESS TO THIS IN ORDER TO ANNOTATE: I HAVE PROVIDED PDF

Eisenberg, Marla E, and Dianne Neumark-Sztainer. 2015. “Male Body Image and Weight-Related Disorders—Reply.” JAMA : The Journal of the American Medical Association 313 (8): 856–57. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2015.433.

ACCESS TO THIS IN ORDER TO ANNOTATE: https://jamanetwork-com.libproxy.wlu.ca/journals/jama/fullarticle/2130308

Frederick, David A, and Jamal H Essayli. 2016. “Male Body Image: The Roles of Sexual Orientation and Body Mass Index Across Five National U.S. Studies.” Psychology of Men & Masculinity 17 (4): 336–51. https://doi.org/10.1037/men0000031.

ACCESS TO THIS IN ORDER TO ANNOTATE: https://www.proquest.com/docview/1764355569?accountid=15090&parentSessionId=Zl7n5bqa%2FHc6EQ0nA09WRFKxA18I9pZfsk4cX8RWfZA%3D&pq-origsite=primo&sourcetype=Scholarly%20Journals

Fong, Zhi Hui, John Barnes, and Oliver Sundermann. 2022. “Dating Apps, Sexual Orientation, and Male Body Image: An Investigation in Singaporean and Swedish Samples.” Psychology of Men & Masculinity 23 (1): 143–49. https://doi.org/10.1037/men0000352.

ACCESS TO THIS IN ORDER TO ANNOTATE: https://www.proquest.com/docview/2522436055?accountid=15090&parentSessionId=bL%2FGZJBlwEZ0ddLU20VH7nsbx8lk6H4CjdzWrIlf4%2BE%3D&pq-origsite=primo&sourcetype=Scholarly%20Journals

Arkenau, Rike, Silja Vocks, Christoph O. Taube, Manuel Waldorf, and Andrea S. Hartmann. 2020. “The Body Image Matrix of Thinness and Muscularity—Male Bodies: Development and Validation of a New Figure Rating Scale for Body Image in Men.” Journal of Clinical Psychology 76 (7): 1283–92. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22933.

ACCESS TO THIS IN ORDER TO ANNOTATE: I HAVE PROVIDED PDF

Mills, Jennifer S., and Sante R. D’Alfonso. 2007. “Competition and Male Body Image: Increased Drive for Muscularity Following Failure to a Female.” Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology 26 (4): 505–18. https://doi.org/10.1521/jscp.2007.26.4.505.

ACCESS TO THIS IN ORDER TO ANNOTATE: https://www.proquest.com/docview/224861339?accountid=15090&parentSessionId=XqO67kbykMKRo%2BMxR8d8EQA10EpuMOp1SuOK6bmS85E%3D&pq-origsite=primo

Delderfield, Russell. 2018. Male Eating Disorders: Experiences of Food, Body and Self. 1st ed. Cham: Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-02535-9.

ACCESS TO THIS IN ORDER TO ANNOTATE: https://books-scholarsportal-info.libproxy.wlu.ca/en/read?id=/ebooks/ebooks4/springer4/2019-06-28/2/9783030025359

Manley, Eric, Heidi Levitt, and Chad Mosher. 2007. “Understanding the Bear Movement in Gay Male Culture: Redefining Masculinity.” Journal of Homosexuality 53 (4): 89–112. https://doi.org/10.1080/00918360802103365.

ACCESS TO THIS IN ORDER TO ANNOTATE: I HAVE PROVIDED PDF