TERM PAPER (100 pts.)
CULTURAL FILM/TV ANALYSIS
Whether films and television series intentionally comment on their context or not, they are always a product of the culture or period in which they were created. By placing them in a particular context, this type of analysis asks how they model, challenge, or subvert different types of relations, whether historical, social, or even theoretical.
ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS:
Write a 5-7 page review of either one film or television series, or a comparison of two films or television series, using one of the following approaches to analysis:
Contextual: An analysis of the social and political concerns presented
Linguistic: An analysis of language used
Semiotic: An analysis of meaning behind signs and symbols presented, typically involving metaphors, analogies, and symbolism.
A specific Film Theory: Choose between Feminist Theory, Marxist Theory, Psychoanalytic Theory, Queer Theory or Auteur Theory
See below for full details and requirements for each approach. Choose just one for your paper.
TOPIC SUBMISSION:
Clear your topic with me in advance. This preliminary step is REQUIRED prior to writing your paper.
PAPER SUBMISSION(S):
You may submit ROUGH DRAFTS of your paper prior to the due date if you would like instructor feedback.
ROUGH DRAFTS should be sent via the Canvas Inbox
FINAL VERSION should be submitted via the Canvas Assignment
DUE DATE: FRI JUN 7, 2024
Papers submitted past the due date will receive a 10-point grade deduction.
CONTENT REQIREMENTS:
Your paper should have an introductory paragraph introducing your topic, the film(s) or television series you analyzed and the principles of the approach you used for your analysis, as well as a concluding paragraph summarizing the main points of your analysis.
Your paper must include examples from scenes in the film(s) you are writing about as supporting evidence for your arguments.
Your paper should also include any needed research, data, statistics, etc. around your cultural topic that offers relevance and support to the arguments you make about the film(s).
This paper should be approached as an academic study, not as a personal essay. Therefore, the use of “I” and “me” statements should be avoided.
FORMATTING REQUIREMENTS:
Add a cover page which includes the title of your paper, your name as the author and the college and course names
Include endnotes or footnotes and add a bibliography listing all of your source materials
In your Works Cited/Bibliography, to cite a film in MLA, you’ll want to follow this formula:
Title of Movie. Directed by Director’s First Name Last Name, Performances by Actors’ First Name Last Name, First Name Last Name, and First Name Last Name, Studio, Year
The minimum page requirement is 5 full pages (this does not include the cover page and works cited/bibliography); the maximum number of pages is 7 (this does not include the cover page or the bibliography which is in addition). Papers that do not meet the page requirements will receive a points deduction.
Your papers must be typed and double spaced. Use 12 pt font size and leave 1-inch margins all around the text of your paper. Do not add extra line breaks between paragraphs. Doing so may be considered as not meeting the proper page requirements.
Follow the in-text citation style of MLA (Modern Language Association): https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/asa_style/in_text_citation_references.htmlLinks to an external site.
Also adhere to the MLA guidelines for the Works Cited page: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_sample_works_cited_page.htmlLinks to an external site.
