SYMPOSIUM #1 PROJECTS
Available Options
DIRECTIONS: Each group will choose one of the options listed below.
I. Create an original “Candid Camera” experiment on norms
A. PHASE ONE: as a group, create a norm (e.g., Don’t walk on any cracks in the
sidewalk; ask for help lifting an invisible box; hang signs on adjacent phone
booths that say “Men” and “Women”).
B. Members of the group should act out the norm in public, encouraging others to
follow.
C. Record the results of the experiment with a hidden camera.
D. PHASE TWO: violate a well-established norm (e.g., ask customers for their
“doggy bags” when they leave a restaurant; trick–or–treat on a day other than
Halloween). Record results with a hidden camera.
E. Presentations:
1. Half of the group speaks on Phase One and half speaks on Phase Two of the
project. Narrating your video counts as part of your speech.
2. For each phase, discuss the following (divided among the group members):
how did the group choose which Candid Camera idea to try? Which ideas
were considered; which were discarded and why? Explain how the idea was
structured and executed; show brief videotaped excerpts to the class
illustrating each phase. What problems did you encounter: technical,
interpersonal, etc.? How well did the idea work? Why? What does it say
about normative behavior? What would you do differently: be specific?
F. WORDS OF CAUTION: do not attempt a Candid Camera without first obtaining
approval from your instructor: no exceptions. Never change your project in the
G. VARIATION: Have each group do two different “create a norm” Candid
II. Create a Cooperative Game
A. As a group, develop at least one (you may do more) original cooperative game.
Choose participants from outside of class to play your cooperative game. Record
the activity on videotape to show in class. The objective of the game must be to
C. Presentations:
1. Explain the types of ideas for a game discussed by your group.
2. Why did you choose this particular idea?
3. Discuss how you developed the game together as a group.
4. Any difficulties in designing the game?
5. Explain the game in detail. Show videotape of an outside group playing the
III. Create a TV Advertisement
A. As a group, choose a product to advertise (create a product: could be something
we might buy or it could be a social cause or a political candidate).
B. Decide which segment of the marketplace you will target (e.g., kids, young
adults, older adults, etc.) and why.
C. After consulting advertising and marketing texts, explain which advertising
strategies you chose to use in your ad and why.
D. Videotape your ad. The ad should be no longer than 2 minutes.
E. Presentations:
1. Discuss how the group decided to do this project and the specific ad chosen.
2. Explain what roles each group member played during the planning and
execution of the ad.
3. Was the script a group effort or an individual one?
4. How was “talent” determined (who acted in the ad)?
5. Show the videotaped ad in class and critique it. What was good about the ad
6. What difficulties did the group encounter during the production of the ad?
What would you do differently to avoid such difficulties?
7. Show “outtakes” and “bloopers” (mistakes made when videotaping). How
would you avoid such problems?
IV. Create a Solution to a Campus Problem
A. Choose a campus problem (e.g., parking, computer access, cost of textbooks).
B. Research the causes of the problem
C. Explore several possible solutions to the problem
D. Presentations:
1. Explain and document the nature of the campus problem.
2. What are the causes of the problem? Discuss possible solutions.
V. Produce Change in the Local Community
A. Choose a project that will improve a problem in the local community (e.g., find
ways to shelter the homeless, feed the hungry, raise money for AIDS victims,
provide security for students walking from classes to parking lots late at night,
etc.). The group will become actively involved in a new program or effort to
produce positive change.
B. Presentations:
1. Why did the group choose this particular problem to change?
2. Explain the nature of the problem (use evidence).
3. What are the causes of the problem? What are possible solutions?
4. Why did the group choose this particular solution?
5. Explain how the group attempted to institute the plan for change.
6. Videotape the plan in action. Show excerpts to class.
7. How successful was the group in producing change?
8. Would you do anything differently? Explain.
VI. Create Your Own Project.
Present the idea to the instructor for approval before attempting to do it.