In your second Major writing assignment in this class, you will analyze and interpret how disability or illness is represented in either The Fault In Our Stars or CODA (2021). Your goal is to apply the skills you have already practiced in semiotic analysis to present an interpretation of the film as either positive or negative representation of disabled experience, highlighting how cultural ideology, attitudes, or norms related to disability, able-bodiedness, and abled-mindedness are being reinforced or produced by the film you choose.
Your Task:
1. Select one of the two films (The Fault in Our Stars or CODA) as the primary ‘text’ you will be analyzing.
2. After watching the film, make an interpretation as to whether you believe the film’s representation of disability and/or illness is positive (meaning it portrays disabled people and their experiences in a favorable light that is received positively by the actual people being represented) or negative (presenting disabled people and their experiences in problematic ways untrue to the reality of those being represented).
3. After arguing for the film as positive or negative, use semiotic analysis (analysis of the signs, symbols, and metaphors in the film) to provide evidence for your argument.
4. Your essay must include Four (4) secondary sources to support your ideas or arguments. At least TWO of which must be readings assigned in the class. Meaning, you can located and integrate two sources of your own research, or you can use assigned readings for all four sources—it is up to you.
