Overview
For this assignment, you will apply some of the theories or concepts we have studied in this class to a human rights film of your choice. Specifically, you will write a short paper in which you select a theory or concept from our course and then you explain how the film reflects something about that theory or concept. Your paper must have the following required components:
- First, you will summarize the film as if you are writing for someone who has never seen it before. Summarize your film in a basic sense and then highlight the characters, storyline(s), or any other aspect on which you intend to draw in your analysis.
- Second, you will describe a relevant or resonant concept from the course readings. You will need to cite directly to at least one of the course readings in your analysis. And you will need to explain in your own words both what that concept means and how it applies to your film.
- Third, you will explain how the film reflects that concept. Here, you want to be careful to explain exactly how that concept or theory applies to your film by referencing both the definition of the concept AND the summary of the film you have just provided.
Your paper should be approximately 3-4 paragraphs. It does not have to be long; it just has to be thorough. I do not grade on meeting a specific word limit or number of pages. You should judge the appropriate length by when you are sure you have completed all the components of the paper and completed them well.
Once you have written this paper, you will also present your analysis to your classmates in our class session.
Preparing Your Paper
Step 1: Review these instructions carefully.
Step 2: Select a human rights film. I have provided a list of some possibilities, but you can also feel free to select your own film from off-list.
Step 3: Re-read the provocation questions at the end of these instructions to keep them in mind for the next step.
Step 4: Watch the film. While you do so, take notes and look back to these instructions to see if any of the provocation questions jump out at you.
Step 5: Think about which of our course’s concepts or theories might apply to your film. Once you have thought of some, identify the specific readings from which those concepts or theories came. Pro tip: you might be able to use your answers to the reading question assignments to point you to specific page numbers.
Step 6: draft a paragraph in which you summarize your film. Keep in mind that your audience is someone who has not watched the film. Again: summarize your film in a basic sense and then highlight the characters, storyline(s), or any other aspect on which you intend to draw in your analysis.
Step 7: draft a paragraph or two in which you a) define the relevant course concept or theory and b) explain how it applies to your film. This is the bulk of the work for this project, so please take your time to do this correctly.
- In order to apply a course concept or theory, you will first need to say which one you have selected and define it. You will need to do so with specific reference to the relevant reading(s), including page numbers.
- Once you have defined the concept or explained the theory, you should then discuss how your film reflects it. Here, you want to be careful to explain exactly how that concept or theory applies to your film by referencing both the definition of the concept you have just provided AND the summary of the film you previously drafted. If there are limits to the way your concept applies that you notice, you should also identify those in your analysis!
Provocation Questions
As you are watching your film, you will want to think about what concept, theory, idea, argument, etc. from our course might apply to the film. In order to help you, I provide below a list of questions for you to consider. You do NOT need to choose multiple questions; you can ultimately focus on the one that is most appropriate and fitting for your film. You also MAY select a concept, theory, argument, etc. that is not represented in this list of questions. You just want to make sure that whatever you select is coming from one of our course readings so that you have something to cite directly when you are writing up your analysis.
- Did this film shed light on the universality of human rights? Think of the many meanings of this concept “universality” that we encountered in the course.
- Did the story in the film reveal anything about the “overlapping consensus” on human rights?
- Did the film reflect anything we learned about “cultural relativism,” including its use as a label for political purposes?
- Did the film portray anything about the indivisibility of human rights?
- Did the film portray anything about the way human rights is used by powerful nations against less powerful ones?
- Did the film feature any performance of “proclamation and denial”?
- Did the film reflect or critique the “savages-victims-saviors metaphor”?
- Did the film involve any parties engaging in a “transnational legal space”?
- Did the film feature any character you might consider to be a “citizen-pilgrim”?
- Did the film show a case for which the proposal for a “global parliament” might be helpful?
- Did the film portray human rights “radicals”?
- Did the film feature any “pluriversal” approach?
Film Paper Rubric
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Film Paper Rubric |
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Criteria |
Ratings |
Pts |
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Film summary The paper includes a film summary. The summary is organized and clear enough for a reader who has not seen the film to understand the overall story. It includes the relevant details that are later used in the film’s analysis. |
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10 pts |
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Film Analysis The paper includes an analysis of the film using a theory, concept, argument, or idea from the course, anchored in a course reading. The analysis includes an explanation of the concept from the reading. The analysis also includes a very clear application of that concept to the film. Here, the student might even repeat some of their explanation of the concept to explain how it is showing up in the film. |
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10 pts |
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Course reading citation The paper substantively engages with a reading from our course. The paper contains direct page number citations to the reading. The student has explained the reading’s concept(s) in his/her/their own words. |
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10 pts |
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Total Points: 30 |
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