Representations of Cities in Films and the Cinemas Itself

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Grade Value: 35% Students are asked to submit a written response to the following ‘big question’, which represents their cumulative learning for the term, and which is worth 30% of their final grade.

THE QUESTION: Throughout this course we have explored cinema’s urban foundations and its continued development as a primarily urban phenomenon, and as well as the important links between cinema and the city that give meaning and shape to our social environment and identity. Discuss the ways in which the cinema’s representations of the city, have shaped, and in turn been shaped by the surrounding social and cultural environment? As you formulate your response to the question, consider the following: How have representations of the city in film – and indeed the cinema itself - been affected by the surrounding social and cultural reality – by developments or events in the real world outside? 2 And how have representations of the city in film, impacted our impressions or understanding of the surrounding society or culture? What do we learn or believe as a result of those representations? these lessons or beliefs positive or negative, and why?

INSTRUCTIONS AND GUIDELINES Respond to the ‘big question’ with a convincing argument that includes references to narrative styles (storyline and character types) uses of film language (i.e. film techniques) as well as key conflicts, ideologies, and social and political issues, that are associated with the type of cinema you are writing about, and the period and context in which it developed. You should include supporting examples, based on your learning throughout the course. Examples include references to types of films, and specific scenes or moments from those films that demonstrate your points. Remember to use examples from the films to support your discussion. You are also encouraged to refer to other course materials such as lectures, media kiosks, readings. (Remember to include lecture titles and dates , or titles and authors of kiosk and reading items.) Your response to the ‘Big Question’ should be about 5-6 pages long (1250 -1500 words), double-spaced. You are welcome to write more than that (but not too much more), but not less than that. Please paginate, and italicize any film or text titles. The ‘Big Question’ Response should be written in an essay style. That means you must pay attention to paragraphing, punctuation, spelling and grammar. You should also take time to edit and proof read your entry before uploading it. It must be coherent, and as well-written as you can manage. Your response should be constructed like a persuasive argument. This means that your opening paragraph, or introduction to your paper, should present your position –i.e. –which of the different genres and forms of urban cinema that we have examined is the most evocative of the city - and then, in your subsequent paragraphs, proceed to make 3 case as to why you have formed that opinion. Ideally each new paragraph should present a new point in the case you are marking, but which also is related to your previous point(s). In other words, each new point in your paper should be part of an overall, coherent argument, The paper should flow smoothly and logically from point to point, leading to your conclusion. Remember to use examples (from films, or film movements, or genres, or usages of film technique) to back up your points. This is not a research essay, as you are not required or expected to consult secondary sources. This is meant to be based on your ideas and opinions. However if you do include a quote, or refer to an outside source, say from an historian, critic, scholar, professor, or filmmaker, make sure to include a proper citation, following any of the approved style guides for academic papers (MLA, Harvard, Chicago etc.). If you are not familiar with citation style, then please use any of the style guides available online or in the library. Any quotes, direct or indirect from the lectures, should be cited. Though this is not published work, it is still someone else’s work, and must be acknowledged. All secondary sources should be included in a bibliography at the end of the paper. You should consult a style guide for proper formatting of bibliographical references. Also, wherever you refer to a film, you must include the film’s title (in italics), followed by the name of the filmmaker, and the year of the film’s release. For example: The Searchers (John Ford, 1956). All films mentioned should be included in a filmography at the end of the paper. The filmography is a list of films referred to in the paper, in alphabetical order by title, and including the filmmaker’s name, and the year of release (as above).