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Students in this class will either present a brief oral report to the class or keep an online journal (weblog) of their reading this semester. Both options will involve about the same amount of work, but with the weblog option, you'll be spreading the work out over the entire semester.

Report rubric (.doc file)

Information on reports

1. When you present your report to the class, keep in mind that it should be short: 5-7 minutes maximum. You can also team up with another class member, if you choose to do so.

2. You can use PowerPoint or other presentation tools, but they are not required. If you use PowerPoint, you need to email the presentation to me no later than 9 p.m. on the day before the report or bring your own computer.

3. If you choose the report option, you'll also prepare a one-page "fact sheet" to hand out to the class. This may take the form of an outline, summaries of critical articles, or a synopsis of your argument. You should include at least one critical article or book in preparing your report.

4. If you choose to keep a weblog AND present a report, you do not need to take the final exam.

The topic for your report may be related to the topic of your paper, or it may focus on one of the following.

Historical events related to the film

Literary works, either the book from which the film was adapted or a novel that relates to the film

Cultural issues, such as the treatment of class, race, or sexual identity, or a widespread cultural trend that is significant to understanding the movie

Film for comparison: discuss a film that is roughly contemporary with the film for that week or the next and discuss it

Genre or technical analysis: discuss the film's formal features in relation to others, or do a close analysis of shots, the use of sound,a motif in the film, or some other noteworthy feature

Comparison with a modern film that shares a similar theme or plot

Other features of the film or film industry related to the film in that week or in following weeks. For example, was the film subjected to censorship? You could also choose to report on a director and his body of work..

Your own choice. As long as you choose a topic that relates to the films for that report period and research it, you can choose your own topic in consultation with me.

If you'd like to present on a topic but aren't sure where to start, please ask me for suggestions.