Instructions: Formatting: 12pt font, double-spaced, only "Canvas approved" formats allowed (.doc, .docx, .pdf, .rtf only) Compile all of your answers into one file. Label each answer, corresponding with the numbering below. Value: 25% of course grade Plagiarism note: don`t do it! All exams will still be run through Turnitin and other plagiarism detecting software. Also, remember these important facts: 1) I know your writing by now, and 2) I have verified samples of your writing through the Proctorio assignment from Unit 1. Lastly, do not use outside sources. Additional Notes: Submit polished work: Because you have the entire week to work on this assignment, you should submit very polished work. Be sure to revise and proofread. Images: Yes, if you can include images in your exam I do recommend incorporating visual aids. Thankfully, embedding pictures into a Word doc is much easier than doing so on Canvas. 🙂 Discussion Post & Exam Overlap: While there will inevitably be some overlap across assignments, make sure that your midterm answers are unique. Pick short answer prompts that you have not already written about extensively. Also, in regard to Part 2, if you wrote about one Noir theme for your discussion post, pick another for this exam. Do not resubmit your own writing. PART 1: Short Answer Questions Define 2 of the 4 items listed below. Explain why this concept or topic is relevant to the specific genre or genres in your own words. Write roughly 1-2 paragraphs per answer. (50pts possible for each answer, 100 total) Outmoded Westerner: Explain the effect of the counterculture movements on the Western. Define at least one movement and explain how the tenets of it rendered the classic westerner irrelevant. The Classic Gangster Film & Film Noir: In what ways are the classic gangster film (early 30s) and film noir both similar and different? Consider comparing character types, visual styles, themes, and/or historical context. The Hays Code: Define the Hays Code. Explain the purpose of it, who authored it and why, and identify the genre that catalyzed its creation. How is that genre`s content figured prominently in the Code? Conventional Disturbances: Explain two ways in which Film Noir offered “conventional disturbances” to Hollywood`s standard approaches to style, content, and storytelling. Part 2: Essay Respond to the prompt below. Write about 2-3 pages. (150 points possible) Film Noir Themes: Identify and analyze how at least TWO Film Noir themes are evident in the film you watched (and did not cover in your discussion post). Define the themes you discuss; be sure to explain what role they play in the genres/series overall. Working with the lecture and reading, explain how each them is tied to historical context. Provide specific details from the film (visuals, characters, events, etc.) to explain how the two themes are expressed in the film. If you wrote about the themes last week, find different examples or work with different themes. As film is a visual medium, use visual examples (scenes, costumes, staging, production design, and/or technical properties). Avoid significant overlap between last week`s discussion and this answer. There are numerous relevant themes and tons of examples from the films, so you should be able to write unique a unique answer to this question. The lecture is a must for this portion of the exam. Essay Suggestions: Using the Prompt Above: The essay prompt explains what should be included in your essays, but do not answer each question in-turn. Structure your answer in a way that is best suited to the themes and film. For example, if I were to write about existentialism and the futility of individual action in Double Indemnity, I`d first explain what those terms mean, how they are linked with the historical context, how the themes are representative of the genre as a whole, and then discuss how the themes are evident in the film by way of copious examples. Organization: Even short compositions such as this one should should make logical sense. This is best achieved following a shortened version of the 5-paragraph essay including, a thesis statement, supporting paragraphs, and a conclusion. Presentation: As this essay is worth 150 points, devote time and focus to present your best work. Proofread and polish your essay. Because you have a week to complete this exam, I expect fairly polished work. REMINDER: Only use sources from this class (readings and lectures), and cite them properly if you use quotations.
