film 5-7 pg

GUIDELINES FOR FILM ANALYSIS ESSAY* ​The House I Live In

For this assignment you are to prepare a written summary 5-7 pages in length (double-spaced, 12-point font, 1-inch margins) identifying themes, concepts, and issues from course readings and lectures that are represented in the documentary film,​ The House I Live In​. The purpose of this assignment is to allow students to demonstrate their knowledge of course material using events depicted in the film. This assignment is worth 100 points. Students should address the following questions in this writing assignment. Do not number your answers; instead, be sure that each question is answered sufficiently in a free-flowing essay format.

1. What are the primary themes surrounding the War on Drugs identified in the film? How does the film depict the effects of the War on Drugs on individuals or groups in society? Give specific examples of specific groups and specific effects.

2. David Simon says, “The drug war is a war on the poor.” Explain his argument with examples

from the film. What is the film’s argument about the relationship between the prison system and the economic system? Compare and contrast Michelle Alexander’s claims that drug war incarceration constitutes a “New Jim Crow” or racial caste system with Simon’s argument that it is about class control. Which is more convincing? Why?

3. What new or useful insights did you gain from watching this film? How might we use

content from the film to inform better drug policy? Drawing on the film and other course materials, give your opinion on the effectiveness of drug prohibition. What do you think are some of the most promising alternatives to this prohibition, and why?

Tips for Writing Your Essay Papers should use the “roadmap” approach: (a) tell me what you are going to say, (b) say it, then (c) tell me what you just said. To assist with content organization, all papers must include the following subject headings: Introduction​ – preceding the introductory paragraph. This paragraph must include your thesis

statement! (E.g., “The purpose of this essay is to….”) Primary Themes Addressed in Film​ – preceding the discussion of Question 1 Relating Film to Course Material​ – preceding the discussion of Question 2 Useful Insights from the Film​ – preceding the discussion of Question 3 Conclusion​ – preceding the concluding paragraph. This paragraph must include a restatement of your

thesis statement!

Before submitting your assignment, check that you have: ✔ Developed a clear thesis statement that is included in the first paragraph and

restated in the concluding paragraph ✔ Used the subject headings identified above ✔ Included your name ✔ Included page numbers ✔ Answered all questions fully

*This assignment built directly on work by Drs. Amanda Burgess Proctor and George Sanders.

CONTENT 85 points TOTAL POINTS ___________ out of 100 Thesis Statement (10 points) _____ Partial/poor thesis statement (-5) No thesis statement (-10) Response to Question #1 (25 points) _____ Requires mild elaboration (-3) Requires moderate elaboration (-7) Requires significant elaboration (-10) Did not answer (-25) Response to Question #2 (25 points) _____ Requires mild elaboration (-3) Requires moderate elaboration (-7) Requires significant elaboration (-10) Did not answer (-25) Response to Question #3 (25 points) _____ Requires mild elaboration (-3) Requires moderate elaboration (-7) Requires significant elaboration (-10) Did not answer (-25) MECHANICS 15 points Spelling & Grammar (5 points) _____ Mild errors (-1) Moderate errors (-3) Severe errors (-5) Page Length (5 points) _____ Short by one page or less (-2) Short by more than one page (-5) Format (5 points) _____ No subject headings (-3) No page numbers (-1) No name (-1) Comment:

*This assignment built directly on work by Drs. Amanda Burgess Proctor and George Sanders.