Understanding Media and Film — Assignments & Grading

Course Participation (10%, 100 pts.)

• Preparation for class, in addition to the quantity and quality of your contribution to class discussions.
• Miscellaneous in-class assignments or quizzes.
• Attendance for class and in-class screenings.

Short Writing Assignments (35%, 350 pts.)

• Throughout the semester, students will complete short writing assignments based upon course topics. These assignments will require various types of engagements with course readings or screenings, and each new assignment will require you to focus on different facets of your writing to help you develop critical and argumentative skills you will use in your final paper.
• The point-value of these assignments increase incrementally over the duration of the course.
• Some assignments include rewrite (revision) opportunities. A rewrite will allow you to earn back half of the points you initially lost (e.g. if you initially earn 10/20 pts, a perfect rewrite would change to 15/20pts).
  • REWRITE GUIDELINES [PDF]

 

Research Paper Draft (15%, 150 pts.) DUE on April 11

• This assignment constitutes a first review/draft of your paper. Make it as strong as you can, so that I can provide adequate feedback for you to incorporate in your final paper. Your draft will allow you to receive approval for your final paper topic (I will not read final papers with topics I have not already approved).
• For your draft:
  • You will identify which of the final paper options you have chosen (1 sentence).
  • You will provide a (preliminary) thesis statement and (preliminary) preview to illustrate how you plan to address your topic. (1-2 paragraphs).
  • You will then provide critical analyses for at least one of your main arguments in your paper (500 words).
  • Finally, you will be required to include a minimum of two relevant sources that we did not read in class.

 

Final Research Paper (40%, 400 pts.) DUE on April 24, uploaded to Blackboard by 5:00pm

Topic Requirements:

• Select ONE framework for your paper:
  • compare and contrast two media objects (objects could include one film, one TV episode, one music album, one film score, one video game, etc.)
  • examine one media object (e.g. film, TV episode, music album, video game) based upon a broader social issue/topic. This could include examinations of identity, ideal relationships, coming of age, experiences of urban life, etc.
  • craft your own argument about media object(s) based upon a specific topic you approve with me (you will be required to meet with me during office hours or by appointment to seek approval for an individual topic).
• Address/analyze at least two aesthetic techniques (e.g., mise-en-scène, cinematography, editing, sound, narrative, adaptation). These techniques could be different if you choose to write about types of media like video games.

Paper Requirements:

• A 7-10 page research paper (not including your title page or bibliography).
• Your paper should indicate what you learned throughout the semester. The final paper should have polished prose; include a clear, coherent thesis statement; and include refined structural elements like a preview, argument/topic signposts, and a conclusion.
• Your paper must include (a minimum of) 4 scholarly/academic sources we did not read in class. You should also any cite all material from class readings (whether the information is quoted or paraphrased).

Citation Requirements:

• Select ONE citation style, preferably Chicago, MLA , or APA. (Differences between these styles are referenced in the list of sources in the sidebar).
• The body of your paper should include in-text citations, which indicate where each source you paraphrase/quote can be found (these differ based upon the style you use).
• Create a bibliography at the end of your document and include all sources you have used to construct your research paper (do not forget to include pertinent course readings). NOTE: Regardless of specific style guide instructions, you do not need to include the web address for indirect links to sources you’ve read within online databases (e.g. journal articles found through EBSCOHost) but you should include the direct link for webpages (e.g. a blog / online newspaper article).

 

Grade Breakdown & Criteria

“A” indicates truly exceptional work, which demonstrates command of concepts and theories, presenting them in a well-argued and logically structured manner. “A” work significantly surpasses the expectations of the assignment, is free of spelling and grammatical errors, and does not merely address the questions through a repetition of course material or lectures. It provides fresh, creative, and original perspectives with a unique voice, offering connections between the topic and broader issues and contexts. Superior research skills are demonstrated with relevant citations and quotations advancing the argument.

“B” indicates above-average work that clearly achieves the goals of the assignment, providing smart and solid analyses with thoughtful and organized arguments I expect any diligent student to be able to produce. “B” work offers some originality, contains few (if any) typos, spelling errors, or grammatical mistakes, and addresses most questions directly by citing specific materials from the texts and lectures to illustrate points being made.

“C” indicates meets the course requirements in an adequate fashion by addressing the questions without sufficient engagement with materials from texts or lectures. “C” work tends to recycle examples from discussion without providing connections to the analysis, contains unfocused, uncritical, or insufficiently supported arguments, and typically contains acceptable but awkward prose with various typos, spelling errors or poorly structured sentences that result in vague arguments.

“D” indicates work that is off-topic, poorly written, disorganized and, instead of the course materials, utilizes “personal experience” or inapplicable research materials or support (such as readings obviously applicable in other subjects or classes). In other words, the assignment shows little to no evidence that a student was paying attention in class, does not incorporate materials used in course readings or class discussion, and sounds like a summary or review of materials rather than critically engaged analyses. This type of work may also fall short or far exceed the page limits or time constraints for the assignment and typically contain many spelling and grammatical errors and/or show no signs of being proofread.

“F” indicates work that dramatically fails to meet the goals and expectations of the course. “F” work is incoherent, plagiarized, and/or never submitted.