CFV 370 – Experimental Film and Video History
Grand Valley State University
Winter 2008 - Jennifer Proctor
ORAL PRESENTATIONS
The Assignment: Starting in the third week of classes, groups of three will prepare and present key points of that week’s reading to the class in a 10-15 minute oral presentation. The goals are for students to take on a teaching role in helping the rest of the class better understand the main points of the reading, to hone skills in public presentation, and to provide a springboard for discussion of important issues in experimental film and video.
Overall Requirements:
- According to the groups listed below, read your chapter or article in advance, meet as a group, and determine THREE key points from the reading. Each person in the group is responsible for presenting one of these three points. Decide which group member will focus on which point. Each group member should plan on speaking no longer than 5 minutes.
- Create an OUTLINE that summarizes what you will present. Your outline should include a statement of the point you are emphasizing, quotes from the reading that illustrate this point, and why this point is important to our understanding of experimental film and video. Your outline may be presented on paper (make 33 copies for the class), via PowerPoint, online, or through another written means. However, your outline must be professional, legible, and polished in appearance.
- Lastly, pose a DISCUSSION QUESTION about the reading to the class for discussion. Your question should be open-ended and controversial – we will use it to start the day’s class discussion.
Presentation requirements:
Your presentation should include a brief introduction in addition to the “meat” of the talk. So, be sure to introduce yourselves and your topic. Your presentation should also transition between speakers – show us the connections between the points each group member is making.
Tips for success: Your goal is to guide us through those parts of the reading that focus on your selected point. Point us to specific parts of the text we should pay attention to, and give examples from the text. You can draw on films we have seen previously to help convey your ideas. Think about: What do you want us to learn from your presentation? Why is this reading important to our understanding of experimental film and video? What new perspectives or concepts does it offer us that we haven’t encountered yet in the course? Be sure to rehearse your presentation in advance to make sure the material flows, makes sense, and that you stay on time.
Evaluation:
Grades will be based on the clarity of your presentation, accuracy of the material presented, comprehension of the reading, cohesiveness of the group presentation, and ability to stay within time contraints. These factors will also be considered in evaluating your group’s outline as a whole. Each group member will receive the same grade, so the group’s performance, as well as the individual’s performance, will be considered in grading.