Any topic (writer’s choice)
Humanities
Assignment
First: Read this entire prompt so you understand what is asked of you.
To complete this assignment, you must watch the film Her. First, for the film and take a moment to think about what you expect. Then watch the film as you do, please watch with a pencil and paper so you can take notes/note the time and place of moments you want to quote/cite:
Her (2013) Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, Olivia Wilde, Scarlett Johansson Directed by Spike Jonze
You must be logged into Canvas to view the film. The film is approximately 2 hours long. Once you have viewed the film, you will be prepared to compose a written response (see below).
This assignment will measure the following course objectives:
Identify and apply concepts related to issues of aesthetics, creativity, humanism, meaning and/or invention
Incorporate or identify innovation, risk-taking, and creativity into analysis using narrative storytelling
Pose and address questions related to the confluence of creative and humanistic expression with social and cultural contexts of the human condition
Assess, reflect on, and critically analyze the role of creative humanistic expression in illuminating the human condition and search for meaning
Requirements:
Length: Minimum of 3 but no more than 5 pages, MLA format for short papers
Refer directly to specific moments in the film in your answer to illustrate your thinking
Question and challenge social, cultural, and aesthetic issues in the film
Reflect on the role of creative expression in communicating what it means to be human
Please remember that this assignment will be submitted to VeriCite it is important that you submit your own, honest work
Prompt:
In the beginning of your essay, identify what you perceive as the creative goals of the film and its desired impact upon you as a viewer. What were your expectations coming in after viewing the trailer? What do you think Spike Jonze (the writer/producer/director) hopes to say or accomplish? In what specific ways does it succeed or fall short?
In the body of your essay, discuss in what ways this film takes risks and challenges us, both as individuals and as contemporary humans? With what ethical and/or social issues does the film engage? How has your understanding of these issues been affected by the film? Also in the body of your essay, identify what three challenging and thoughtful questions you would ask Spike Jonze or the protagonist, Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix), if you could. Why do you think these questions matter?
In your conclusion, reflect upon the meaning of this film to you. How does it help you understand yourself and/or other people better or differently?
MLA In-Text Citations for Media Sources
Adapted from Angela Gulick, Parkland College Writing Lab, July 2016
Citing and Citation: To cite a source is to tell where you found the information you are borrowing, such as details from a television program, motion picture, DVD, CD, song, or online video. A citation is the collection of details about where you found your information. The details of a media source citation include 1) a signal phrase, 2) an action verb, and 3) a parenthetical citation.
Citing a Movie
1. Signal Phrase: A signal phrase is a formal way you alert your reader to the source of your borrowed information. The signal phrase is also an opportunity to give credibility to your source, by providing details such as the sources title, additional performers or artistic contributors, or any other details that would show your sources expertise. Here are two common details to include in a signal phrase for a media source:
The name of the source itself the movie. Italicize the title. Example: Her not Her
The names of anyone involved in the source necessary to understand the context of the source such as the name of the director, artist, author, choreographer, actor, singer, performer, and/or character. You have to think about what part of the source you are discussing and provide those details that help your reader follow along.
2. An action verb such as writes, illustrates, demonstrates, shows, argues, claims, demonstrates. Another option is to begin your signal phrase with According to
3. A parenthetical citation: A parenthetical citation gives information that is not included in the signal phrase such as a time stamp for a media source. If it exists, provide the time or range of times such as the hours/minutes/seconds as displayed on your computer or media player. Separate these numbers with colons, such as hour:minute:second (00:17:15 00:18:42).
Example:
In Mean Girls, screenwriter Tina Fey uses the character of Cady Heron to demonstrate the challenges faced by the stereotypical new kid, when Heron, a new student who has been home schooled her whole life, states, _________ (00:32:14 00:36:38).
Each additional time you cite movie: Fey also illustrates Herons somewhat nave cluelessness when Heron comments _________ (00:46:17 00:47:36).
