ORAL PRESENTATION

Assignment:  In your assigned week, groups of three will prepare a 15-20 minute oral presentation in which you present a film from outside of class that provides an interesting and useful case study for representation on film. You may choose any category of representation covered in class – gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation/identity, class, disability, the American family – but keep your focus to just one. The goal for this assignment is to add to our understanding of myriad ways representation can be constructed on film, and to get new insight into the particular category under examination. While your presentation will involve outside research, you should still draw explicit connections to concepts addressed in class so far – make it relevant to the course aims.

Overall Requirements: 

• RESEARCH:  Perform research into the production background of your assigned film and additional scholarly articles/reviews. What was the budget of this film?  Was it successful?  Who was the primary audience?  What interpretations of this film have been offered? Are there conflicting perspectives on how characters are represented in the film? Your research may include the assigned readings from the class, but you must also draw in at least THREE OUTSIDE SOURCES.

• ANALYSIS:  Then, present your research to the class through an analysis of representation in the film.  Keep your focus clear - depth is better than breadth here.  You are welcome to present more than one interpretation, if your research reveals many different points of view.  So, for example, which characters are active, and which ones passive?  Are characters of a certain class presented as more desirable, successful, or moral than others? Why? Are stereotypes a problem in this film? Be sure to provide examples – and you can show clips as well.

Written Requirements:

• OUTLINE:  A short summary of what you will present, which includes the main points of your presentation, any quotes you will integrate from the readings/research, and the overall structure of your presentation.  Be sure to include your names!  You may present this as a PowerPoint presentation or on paper – if the latter, bring 30 copies to hand out to the class.  Whichever you choose, you must turn in ONE HARD COPY to me.

• BIBLIOGRAPHY:  Using the standard MLA format, include a bibliography of your research and any class readings you cite in your presentation.  Hand this in with your outline. (1 copy)

Evaluation:

70% - individual grade

30% - group grade

Each member of the group will receive an individual grade worth 70% of their total grade for their portion of the presentation.  This grade will be based on the clarity of the presentation, accuracy and comprehension of the material presented, depth of observations, and preparedness.

In addition, the group will be assigned a grade as a whole, worth 30% of your total grade. This grade will be based on the clarity of your presentation, cohesiveness of the group presentation, and ability to stay within time constraints.  These factors will also be considered in evaluating your group’s outline as a whole. 

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