Final Exam Instructions

Final Exam Instructions

COM 321-A Fall 2015

Exam Time: Monday, Dec. 14 1:30-3:30pm

Location: our regular classroom

Before the exam, view the film Silver Linings Playbook. It streams on Netflix and is on reserve (in DVD format) at the MacPhaidin Library. The essay question will be selected from one of these three:

1.              In what ways is the representation of women in Silver Linings Playbook consistent or inconsistent with their representation in the romantic comedy genre generally?  What "types" in romantic comedy and/or social history does David O. Russell draw on (even if unconsciously) in shaping these female characters? You may discuss the film’s similarity to and difference from romantic comedies studied in this class in developing your analysis.

2.              In what ways is the representation of masculinity in Silver Linings Playbook consistent or inconsistent with its representation in the romantic comedy genre generally?  What "types" in romantic comedy and/or social history does David O. Russell draw on (even if unconsciously) in shaping his male characters? You may discuss the film’s similarity to and difference from romantic comedies studied in this class in developing your analysis.

3.              Are the plot, themes, and characterizations of Silver Linings Playbook more consistent with New Comedy, screwball comedy, or comedies of re-marriage?  To what extent does the film obey “the law of writ” of one of these three forms or proclaim its “liberty” from it?  You may discuss the film’s similarity to and difference from romantic comedies studied in this class in developing your analysis.

In answering the essay question, you can bring in two types of aids:

1. Your viewing notes that serve to remind you of details of the film;
2. 1 8½ x 11 sheet of notes and key quotations from the readings that you think will be especially relevant in analyzing this film. You can write or type as small as you want and fill up both sides.

You will turn in both of these with your final exam.  You cannot use any other notes or aids in the exam.

I will grade your essays on (in order):

1. Originality of thought and sophistication of the thesis; validity of argument;

2. familiarity with secondary readings as demonstrated by careful selection and deployment of evidence;

3. accurate and appropriate use of film terms;

4. familiarity with other films we viewed that you will use as points of comparison or contrast.

Make sure that I can read your writing!

STUDY TIPS:

I recommend that you view the film two times. In between those two viewings, review the assigned readings for the course and pick those ones that seem most relevant, whether in support of your position or as foils that you refute in your analysis of the film.

Review all the materials, from the Williams’ reading on the first day to the McDonald readings at the end.  Consider which of these approaches seem most appropriate to talk about Silver Linings Playbook.

Don’t be afraid to use the film to disagree with the secondary materials (and extra points accrue if you do this effectively).  Remember that romance as a genre works within the tension between conformity to past models and innovation.  Consider where this film falls between those poles.