• Write two film reflections this term, each one worth 50 points.
• Each film reflection must be one to two pages long and prepared according to the Writing Checklist.
• Each film reflection must address three films seen in class or in mentor session prior to the due date of the reflection.
• At least two films in each reflection must come from the same module. It is okay, but not necessary, for the third film to be from a different module shown prior to the due date.

Objective of the Film Reflections:

Film reflections are meant first and foremost to be an academic exercise, not an "op ed" piece, where you just share your feelings or offer unsubstantiated opinions. You need to reflect upon what you’ve seen, drawing from the lectures and the reading material. This means you should do the following:

• Thoughtfully consider the information presented within the context of your existing knowledge base (from other classes, your professional life, other readings, lecture and discussion here, etc.).
• Discuss how the films tie in with material covered in lecture and in the main text.
• Struggle and grapple with the ideas. Don’t just blindly accept or reject them.
• Think of questions the films raise. Present these questions in your reflection.
• Compare the three films that are the topic of each reflection. In what ways are they similar in their approach to the module? In what ways are they different?
• Share your own thoughts and opinions, but not without appropriate context and reference.

Keep in mind that I've seen the films, so I don't need a plot summary. Also keep in mind that I'm very familiar with various reviews of the films, so I don't want a film review. I also don't need to know whether you think a film is "excellent" or "boring" or "interesting" or "plodding." What I do want to know is what issues, points, questions (or answers) the films raised for you that related to the subject matter of the lectures and reading material.

Format and Approach:

As you are viewing the film, jot down key ideas and points. For instance, in the film Blade Runner, we see several interesting future-urban themes: a "big brother" theme; incredibly overbearing and almost alienating architecture, with little connection to "human scale"; technology-gone-awry; propaganda-like advertising; etc. In order to notice these themes as you're watching, you should try to do the relevant textbook reading first. So, in other words, you should go into watching Blade Runner with an eye toward futuristic images of the city, rather than, say, concepts about cloning or police work. You'll be best prepared to know what to look for (and look at) if you do the reading first.

Your film reflection should:

• Be a coherent essay, not a random stream of thoughts. Use full sentences and paragraphs.
• Be correct in terms of grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Use the Writing Checklist.
• How much should you write? Your double-spaced essays should be about two pages long. Please do not exceed three pages.

• Be a film review copied from or based on a pubished review of the film.
• Critique the film from a cinemagraphic perspective.
• Repeat the plot of the film without indicating how the elements relate directly to themes covered in class or in readings.