First Assignment
A powerful anti-war movie set in Vietnam that contains a few scenes that some may find too graphic to watch, this movie is based on an actual incident reported by Daniel Lang in The New Yorker (“Reporter at Large,” v. 45 (October 18, 1969), 61-64+, and reprinted as a monograph with the same title). Directed by Brian De Palma, the cast includes Sean Penn (Sgt. Tony Meserve), Michael J. Foxx (PFC Erikkson), Thuy Thu Le (Tran Thi Oanh, Girl on the Train), Don Harvey (Cpl. Clark), John C. Reilly (Cpl. Hatcher), John Lequizano (PFC Diaz), Erik King, (Cpl. Brown) and Dale Dye (Capt. Hill).
In one or two brief paragraphs describe the movie; in approximately two – four pages analyze how the movie reflects America’s involvement in Vietnam. To assist you in responding to this movie, consider
The underlying causes of the tension between Meserve and Erikkson
The attitudes in general of the “grunts” (i.e., foot soldiers)
The interactions between the Americans and the indigenous people
The attitude toward women
In a concluding paragraph explain how “Casualties of War” helps you understand the American past and the development of liberty.
Each paper is graded on style and content. Be sure to spell check and proofread your paper before submitting it. Be sure it will be clear to the instructor that you have read this the paper before submitting it.
Before you submit your paper via Angel, it must be submitted to Turnitin.com.
Second Assignment
Set in the Bedford Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn during the hottest day of the summer, the residents, the police, and a business owner experience the worst effects of prejudice and racism. The characters range from the extremely and overtly racist, Buggin Out, to the least prejudiced but clearly hindered by the effects of racism, Da Mayor. With a few possible exceptions every character in the movie is, to one extent or another guilty of harboring racist feelings, whether or not they act upon them. In what ways does racism rear its ugly head? Who and what are responsible for the riot? What might have been done to avoid the riot? What is the message offered by Mookie and Sal at their apparently final meeting? What is the importance of the quotations, and the order in which Spike Lee presents them, of Martin Luther King, Jr., and Malcolm X? Even twenty years after its initial screening, how accurate is this portrayal of race in America?
Following one or two brief paragraphs summarizing the plot, in approximately two-four pages explore the questions raised above.
In a concluding paragraph explain how “Do The Right Thing” helps you understand the American past and the development of liberty. Also, be sure to connect this to King’s memoir and “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.
Each paper is graded on style and content. Be sure to spell check and proofread your paper before submitting it. Be sure it will be clear to the instructor that you have read this the paper before submitting it.
Before you submit your paper via Angel, it must be submitted to Turnitin.com.
Third assignment
Dr. Seuss: The Sneetches, The Lorax, The Butter Battle
Having read these three activist children’s books, how do they relate to one another?
How do they connect to the overall theme of the course, as defined in the syllabus?
Considering the original publication dates, how do these titles reflect major issues in American society?
Using the questions above to as a guide to clarify your thoughts, in a well written essay describe how Dr. Seuss responded to major issues in American society. Take 1-2 brief paragraphs to summarize the story line and then 2-3 pages to explore how they have added to your knowledge of American history.
Each paper is graded on style and content. Be sure to spell check and proofread your paper before submitting it. Be sure it will be clear to the instructor that you have read this the paper before submitting it.
Before you submit your paper via Angel, it must be submitted to Turn It In.