FILM SCREENING
Wed, September 6, 2006
8:00pm-10:00pm
Cutler-Majestic Theatre,
219 Tremont Street
PANEL DISCUSSION
Thurs, September 7,2006
10:30am-12:00pm
Cutler-Majestic Theatre,
219 Tremont Street
The Writing Assignment
During the first week of the semester, all students enrolled in WP101 or WP121 will write a 4- page essay. Students will write this essay in response to a prompt provided by the classroom instructor. The essay will address the complexities raised by each element of the CRVE, including the theme, the content of the book and film, supplementary materials on this companion website, and the speakers' panel. Instructors will use the essay to assess each student's abilities against the criteria of the course: writing an argumentative essay, locating themes across and within texts, integrating source material as evidence, using critical analysis to deepen and support an argument, and citing sources with the correct application of the MLA system.
The essay assignment will provide students with the opportunity to go beyond critical reading and thinking by encouraging them to enter into the many conversations this year’s CRVE provokes: what experiences lead one to social and political awakening? When confronted by daunting social problems, what role can an individual play? What are the consequences when we seek global change, and what lengths are we willing to undertake to do so? How is historical perspective affected when a revolutionary’s life and image are transformed into a commodity?
The essay prompt isn't seeking an easy answer, nor is there a right answer. Instead, the essay will be the student's opportunity to demonstrate what he or she believes (and to explain why others should listen) after careful reflection on all of the elements of this year's CRVE. A successful essay will be one that not only includes the elements of an academic essay, but also raises as many questions as it answers; one that takes intellectual risks in order to advance an argument.
Visit the website of the Modern Language Association for help with questions about using the MLA citation system, or view the companion website to Rules for Writers , the handbook used in the first-year writing program, to see how to use MLA for specific types of sources.