SOCIAL AND CULTURAL THEORY:
GUIDE FOR TERM PAPER GRADING


Execution of Paper: 20 Points
  • The paper uses proper spelling and grammatical style.
  • The paper is at least five full pages, with 1 inch margins using 12 point type.
  • The content is arranged in a comprehensive manner that clearly builds your analytical argument.
  • You carefully cite all information from research and build a proper bibliography listing every reference you actually employ.
Understanding of Theorist: 30 Points
  • Your explication of the theory propounded by the theorist is clear, exact, and accurate.
  • You identify the specific elements of theory you will apply to the film and explain why these elements are appropriate for the analysis of your film.
  • You include the personal and historical background of the theorist with his theoretical orientation where and when appropriate.
  • You integrate the theorist's world view into the specific elements of the theory you will use to analyze the film.
Application of Theoretical Issue to Film: 30 Points
  • You describe the action of film which you intend to analyze fully and carefully. Be sure that this description does not dominate your paper.
  • You clearly and succinctly apply your theoretical knowledge to the action in the film using specific elements of the theory.
  • Your application represents a fine grained understanding of the theory itself (it is relevant to the action of the film) and it enlightens the reader as to the "why" of the film's specific actions.
  • Your application is appropriate in that it does help clarify the social action in the film. Note that you do not have to analyze or describe the entirety of your film.
Degree of Difficulty: 20 Points
  • You "reach" in your analysis and create a compelling analysis of the social action in the film which is creative and engaging.
  • You go beyond the basic information provided in class and the textbook to utilize materials gained through careful research of primary (by the actual theoriest) and secondary (about the theorist) source materials.
  • You use imagination and ingenuity in creating a subtle analysis of the film according to the theorist whom you are personifying.
The Seal of Creighton University
This page is managed by
Rev. Raymond A. Bucko, S.J.
of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology
at Creighton University.

E-Mail: bucko@creighton.edu

Page Last Updated: November 14, 2000