INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE

EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY

 

Background:  At times you may forget an assignment in your locker or you just can’t get to a homework assignment.  This is an opportunity for you to turn a 0% into a 100% or a low homework into a higher one.  This is a standing extra assignment that I will take each month.

Information: This assignment involves the Diversity Film Series.  This series, funded with a grant from the Diversity Committee, is now in its 4th year of showing acclaimed films with a range of cultural themes. All of the films are either foreign-made or deal with issues of diversity in culture. If you have questions about the series, please contact Mr. Montgomery or Ms. Holyer for more information.

Date and Time:  All showings will begin at 6:00 pm in the amphitheater. They are open to students, parents, faculty, staff, and friends. Refreshments will be provided. For R-rated films, a permission slip must be signed by a parent or guardian. Permission slips are available online, from Ms. Holyer or Mr. Montgomery, or at the showings.

Dates of the showings are listed below. Click here for a brief summary of all the films, or check out www.imdb.com (The Internet Movie Database) for more information about these and other films.

2008-2009 Schedule

October 2nd                The Cup         (G)
 “Buddhism is their philosophy. Soccer is their religion.” While the soccer World Cup is being played in France, two young Tibetan refugees arrive at a monastery/boarding school in exile in India. Prevented by various circumstances from seeing the Cup finals on television in a nearby village, they set out to organize the rental of a TV set for the monastery. The enterprise becomes a test of solidarity, resourcefulness and friendship for the students, while the Lama, head of the monastery, contemplates the challenges of teaching the word of Buddha in a rapidly changing world. (93 min.)

December 18th           Shall We Dance?       (PG)
 A successful but unhappy Japanese accountant spots a beautiful Japanese woman in a dance studio window. Hoping to get closer to her, even though he's married and has a child, he signs up for dance lessons in secret, and slowly begins to fall in love with the art form itself. (136 min)

March 10th                  Corrina, Corrina       (PG)
When Manny Singer's wife dies, his young daughter Molly becomes mute and withdrawn. To help cope with looking after Molly, he hires sassy housekeeper Corrina Washington, who coaxes Molly out of her shell and shows father and daughter a whole new way of life. Manny and Corrina's friendship delights Molly and enrages the other townspeople. (115 min.)
 
May 7th                       On the Waterfront   (PG)

Terry Malloy dreams about being a prize fighter, while tending his pigeons and running errands at the docks for Johnny Friendly, the corrupt boss of the dockers’ union. When Terry witnesses a murder by a couple of Johnny's thugs, and later meets the dead man's sister, he begins to feel responsible for his death. What ensues is a crisis of conscience, as he has to decide whether to be loyal to the union, or help bring about justice. (108 min.)

Assignment:  You need to attend the showing – not rent the movie on your own.  I can find out if you attended.  You must do a full one-page reaction that is in MLA format.  Give a BRIEF summary of the film, characters, themes, and why you did or did not like the film.  If you only give a summary, you will not receive full credit.  You MUST proofread the assignment like you would any other assignment for me.  If there are too many errors, you will not receive full credit. 

Due:  This assignment is ALWAYS due the NEXT DAY after the showing even if you do not have class that day.  I will not accept the assignment late, no exceptions.