The New School

Visual and Cultural Studies

Spring 2004 -- Final Assignment

Your final assignment is to write a critical interpretation of one of the films listed below using concepts and approaches discussed in class this semester. Attention should be paid to the way visual techniques and images function in the film as carriers of both meaning and feeling. When describing scenes and shots, be sure to account for their general formal properties and their role in the narrative.

Keep in mind that the purpose of this exercise is to demonstrate and exhibit what you've learned. Be sure that you make use of the reading material and concepts that we've covered in class. This is not a research paper; no additional outside reading is necessary.

Be sure to review the handout on academic honesty before beginning work on your paper. Let me know if you have questions about it.

Write on one of the following films:

1. David Lynch, Lost Highway
2. Katherine Bigelow, Strange Days
3. Alfred Hitchcock, Vertigo

>> Papers are due at 5:00 PM on 12 May 2004 in Room 907<<

All papers must be typed on a computer and run through a spell-checker. You will be graded on the form and content of your paper, so pay close attention to both appearance and grammar. Your paper should be about 7-8 pages in length. All papers must be double-spaced with one-inch margins with the appropriate endnotes or footnotes (as you prefer). Be sure to cite all your sources with a full bibliographic entry. If you need additional instructions or guidelines, see me.