IMPORTANT NOTE : Arab/Muslim Rep is figured prominently on the exam. I recommend looking at the instructions early in the week; the exam is take-home style (not timed), so you can view it anytime. While the exam covers previous topics, the longer essay portion asks you to analyze a film/series (from the list below) for Arab/Muslim representation. Read the following with that in mind.
Watch one of the following media texts:
Degrees of racism — this list includes films/shows that are extremely insulting so proceed with caution: True Lies (Cameron, 1994), Rules of Engagement (Friedkin, 2000), Raiders of the Lost Ark (Spielberg, 1981), the first two episodes of The Tyrant (FX).
Improved but imperfect options: Syriana (Gaghan, 2005), Hideous Kinky (MacKinnon, 1999), American Wrestler: The Wizard (Ranarivelo, 2016), Amreeka (Dabis, 2009), The Night Of (HBO), The Reluctant Fundamentalist (Nair, 2013), Ramy (A24, HULU), Hala (AppleTV), Messiah (Netflix)
Essay — Arab/Muslim Representation
Follow the instructions below.
I recommend treating this essay as a far more formal and in-depth version of your discussion work. In short, write an essay in which you apply the course ideas, focusing mainly on this week’s reading and lecture, to a film from the provided list of options (*see module overview for list*). As with analytical work, your goal is to present an argument about the film’s representational content in relation to prior and contemporary stereotypes, and major concepts included in reading/lecture. As this is an exam essay, your analysis should incorporate topics from previous units that will further illuminate your analysis.
Instructions:
Begin by reading the assigned article by Alsultany (see module overview)
Then read/view this week’s lecture, which supplements the article significantly (see module overview)
Watch the film/media of your choosing from the options listed in the module overview.
Write an essay in which you apply Alsultany and the lecture to the media text you chose in #3.
Suggestions:
Structure and Polish: Essays should be organized per the 5-essay format, including: intro, thesis, supporting paragraphs, and conclusion. Be sure to revise and polish your work prior to submission.
Comprehensive — Use Previous Topics: While the primary goal is to apply this week’s content to the film, I highly encourage you to incorporate topics previously covered. You are, after all, not analyzing this week’s content in a vacuum. Review lectures and readings for additional concepts that will expand your analysis. As this is a midterm essay, demonstrate knowledge beyond this week’s materials.
Discussion Post on Steroids: I noted above that this essay is similar to main discussion posts. The primary difference is depth: as this is a longer project, be sure to rigorously define, explain, and apply the concepts to the film/media text.
Images: As with discussions, I highly encourage you to include images as evidence of your claims (provide context for images rather than simply dropping them in).
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