The Mission is a film that depicts the activities of the Jesuit Order of Catholic priests in South America in the 1700s. For this assignment, you will watch the film, read a scholarly article by Barbara Ganson that examines the film, and then do your own analysis of the historical accuracy and significance of the movie based on what we have seen and read. No outside research is necessary.
*Because of this you do not need to include a Bibliography or Works Cited page.
This assignment is about the synthesis and analysis of secondary sources. By looking at how the past has been interpreted both in film and academic writing, and then writing your own analysis of those interpretations, you are meeting the following outcomes for this course:
*Articulate and interpret an understanding of key historical facts and events in Early Modern Europe.
– Identify the influence of culturally-based practices, values, and beliefs to analyze how historically-defined meanings of difference affect human behavior.
– Identify and investigate historical theses, evaluate information and its sources, and use appropriate reasoning to construct evidence-based arguments on historical issues.
– Construct a well-organized historical argument using effective, appropriate, and accurate language.
Response Paper Guidelines
Your paper must be in the following format:
Typed, double-spaced, 12-point font
4 – 5 pages
Your name, the name of the course, and the date on the first page
*ALL direct quotations or places where you paraphrase Barbara Gansons ideas or arguments must be cited in a footnote. The footnote should include the authors name and page number where the referenced information can be found, like you see at the bottom of the page here.
*Please limit the number of direct, verbatim quotes to no more than one per page. Also, do not use long quotes more than 3 typed lines. Paraphrase that content instead. You will lose points for breaking these rules.
BE AWARE OF THESE COMMON PITFALLS WHEN WRITING YOUR PAPER:
1. Movie titles need to be either underlined or italicized: The Mission OR The Mission. Do not put quote marks around the title.
2. When speaking of the Catholic institution, “Church” should be capitalized.
3. Avoid using personal statements in your paper such as “I think,” “I believe,” “I feel,” etc. This is an analytical review of a film. Therefore, since you are the author of the paper it is assumed by the reader that your comments, analysis, and assertions are yours. Rather than saying “I think the movie was a reliable historical source,” just make the assertion: “The movie was a reliable historical source,” and then explain why you have come to that conclusion.
4. Don’t make assertions or point out discrepancies without explaining yourself. If you make a statement, such as you would recommend the film to someone, explain why. If you point out something that is not historically accurate in your view, explain why you think the film makers made those choices. This paper is not just a summary. It is analysis, which requires explanation to make your points clear.
*Address these questions in your paper:
The film highlights the central groups affected by colonialist expansion in the Americas in the 18th century, namely the Native Americans (in this case, the Guarani), the Jesuits/Catholic Church, and representatives of European monarchs (in this case, Spain and Portugal). How are each of these groups depicted that shows the cultural differences between them? Discuss things like how they appear, dress, speak, live, etc.
1. What are the power relationships between the main groups, i.e., who appears to have power over whom? Who has the most power, and who has the least? Do these relationships reflect what we know about European contact with Native Americans in general?
2. Every interpretation of history, whether book or film, has a thesis or point the creators or authors are trying to argue. What is the main message that The Missions creators are trying to convey with this film? What do they want people to learn from watching it?
3. What is your impression of the film as an accurate historical source? If there are inaccuracies, how do they support the films main message?
4. How did Gansons critique inform your thoughts of the film as a historical source?
