PROMPT:
This assignment asks you to write an 8 to 10 page paper analyzing an
American or Hollywood film not screened in class in terms of its
representation of a category of identity- meaning race, gender, class,
sexuality, religion or nationality. Since the page allotment for this
assignment is set to 10 pages, it is advisable that you focus your analysis,
narrowing your topic to examine how your chosen film represents one major
aspect of identity in order to produce a compelling and supportable
argument within the physical parameters of the assignment. You must
construct an original argument, or a thesis that anchors and organizes your
filmic analysis and incorporate information from critical theory including
concepts from critical race theory, gender studies, postcolonial theory and
theories about class where appropriate to support your reading of the film.
Your paper must have a thesis.
-A thesis is usually a single sentence that presents your argument to the
reader. The rest of your paper gathers and organizes the evidence that
persuades your reader of the logic of your interpretation.
-A thesis makes a claim that cannot simply be dismissed with a yes or no
statement by the reader. “Rambo is a film about masculinity” is not a thesis
statement. If you are having issues or have concerns constructing your
thesis we can workshop your thesis together over email or in office hours.
-The best thesis statements often construct their arguments by placing the
film within a larger historical or cultural context that highlights the
significance of its representation. For instance, “Rambo is a film that
valorizes traditional white masculinity through its use of explicit violence and
reflects the socially conservative values that were the hallmarks of Reagan-
era America,” is a thesis statement.
You will need to perform academic research through secondary sources for
this paper. You are required to utilize and cite at least four academic
textual sources (produced by academics and/or published by an academic
press) three
