LGBTQ film or episode

Paper details:
This paper should be between three and five pages in length. You should write a minimum of three pages, double-spaced in 12-point font with standard margins. No title or title page is necessary. Just put your name, the class, and the date in the upper-right hand corner (this part should be single spaced). If you consult outside sources make certain to provide attribution where appropriate and include an end bibliography correctly and consistently formatted. The bibliography page does not count in the minimum page length requirement. Avoid use of overly conversational language. Avoid overblown or excessively generally pronouncements, especially in your opening paragraph; because this is such a short paper, you should focus in on your topic from the very first sentence. By the end of your first paragraph, your reader should have a clear idea of what your paper is about and how it will be structured. You should write clear, concise sentences logically connected in well-organized paragraphs. Word choice, spelling, and clear sentence structure are crucial. Proofread by reading your paper aloud. See below for grading criteria.

PAPER TWO TOPIC
REPRESENTING LGBTQ IDENTITY: CRITICAL REVIEW OF A TV SHOW/EPISODE OR FEATURE FILM.

For your second paper you will write a critical review of a TV show or movie that represents LGBTQ experience and identity. You should choose one of the options listed below (if you want to write on a movie or show not listed below, you must get this approved by me via email no later than Sunday 29 May). This brief list includes some recent titles and a few going back ten years; most are American, but a couple are French. Many of these were discussed and in some cases included for viewing in the course modules; you are responsible for accessing programs or films not included in the course modules. If you choose to write on a television show, it must be a show you have already watched in its entirety (all seasons, or at least nearly all) and with which you are already very familiar; your review will mostly focus in on analysis of a single episode.

Pretend you’re writing for a good newspaper or magazine. You’re welcome to look up other published reviews, but remember that your review must focus on the question of representing queer identity and so will be different from most more general reviews. You can structure this essay as you think best, but it should do most of the following:

• describe: make sure you provide basic facts for your reader—who made it? when did it air/show? what is the basic premise? how was it received? etc.
• analyze and critique: how is lesbian/gay/trans identity and experience represented? what sorts of assumptions are made? is the historical context important? what is the filmmaker/producer/creator trying to do and does it work? why or why not? remember that in a review you don’t have to just condemn or praise (thumbs up/thumbs down)—usually a little bit of both are necessary
• focus: on one scene or segment that you find particularly relevant to demonstrate your overall argument and describe clearly for your reader; your description should include verbal and visual/filmic elements; the best papers will include concrete description of details to illustrate their points
• relate: to class content, readings, lecture, discussion as relevant; you may also relate to personal experience if relevant or appropriate, but this is not required

films
Brokeback Mountain (dir. Ang Lee, 2005). Cowboys Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaall in love.
Milk (dir. Gus Van Sant, 2008). About the gay rights pioneer starring Sean Penn.
A Single Man (dir. Tom Ford, 2009). About a grieving college professor in the early 1960s; based on the Christopher Isherwood novel.
L’inconnu du lac/Stranger By the Lake (dir. Alain Guiraudie, 2013). Sexy French murder mystery.
La vie d’Adèle/Blue Is The Warmest Color (dir. Abdellatif Kechiche, 2013). Intense lesbian love story set in contemporary France.
Carol (dir. Todd Haynes, 2015). Lesbian love in 1950s New York with Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara; based on the Patricia Highsmith novel The Price of Salt.
The Danish Girl (dir. Tom Hooper, 2015). Fictional recreation set in 1920s Denmark loosely based on history of one of the first MtF sexual reassignment surgeries.
Stonewall (dir. Roland Emmerich, 2015). Controversial recent film about the landmark event.
Tangerine (dir. Sean Baker, 2015). Story of love and friendship on the streets in contemporary LA.

TV/internet streaming
-Diane Sawyer interview with Bruce Jenner on ABC news show 20/20 (24 April 2015)

or an episode of:
-Orange Is The New Black (Jenji Kohan, 2013- )
-Transparent (Jill Soloway, 2014- )
-Sense8 (Lilly and Lana Wachowski, 2015- )

Please note: If you choose to write on a television show, it must be a show you have already watched in its entirety and with which you are already very familiar; your review will mostly focus in on analysis of a single episode.

GRADING
Guidelines for Grading Papers
90-100 (A/A-): consistently thoughtful, well organized, and clearly written
80-90 (B/B-): usually thoughtful; writing could be clearer and better organized
70-80 (C/C-): some good ideas but with frequent writing problems and poor organization
60-70 (D/D-): minimal contribution that shows little thought or effort
less than 60: completely insufficient

PLAGIARISM
All students should be familiar with DePaul’s academic integrity policy and resources before beginning course assignments. Students in this course should be aware of the strong sanctions that can be imposed against someone guilty of plagiarism. If proven, a charge of plagiarism could result in an automatic F in the course and possible expulsion. The strongest of sanctions will be imposed on anyone who submits as his/her own work any assignment that has been prepared by someone else. If you have any questions or doubts about what plagiarism entails or how to properly acknowledge source materials, be sure to consult the instructor.