analysis assignment

CSUSB

Stranger Things Portfolio Taylor 1

Stranger Things Portfolio

Background: Analyzing a text like a novel or a poem requires you to be a critical reader, paying attention

to what is written (plot) and how it is written (structure, technique). The same is true when the text is

televisual. Critical viewing isn’t something we automatically do, however. It is a skill we need to learn

and practice. Critical viewing often requires re-watching televisual texts, much like you need to re-read

written texts to see more detail. Additionally, much like written texts, it is crucial to take notes on

televisual texts to keep track of all the things you see and experience while watching. The Stranger

Things Portfolio is a place to compile these notes and to reflect on your experience viewing the series.

This assignment is designed to help you with your critical viewing of Stranger Things and help prepare

you for the Reflective Letter portion of this assignment. Your Notes will also help with Journal entries

and/or in-class activities that may ask you to analyze Stranger Things.

The Assignment: The Viewer Portfolio has three components:

1. Episode Notes – may be handwritten but must be legible. 2. Character Notes – may be handwritten but must be legible. 3. Reflective letter -- should be typed according to specifications.

Episode Notes: These are notes on each episode of the series. You will need to take notes on:

• Plot. The general story of each episode in your own words. What is the main action? What are some of the sub-plots or smaller stories in the episode? (Do not copy other written synopses.)

• Key Scenes. What are some key or memorable scenes (to you) in the episode? If you had to choose a scene or two that would jog someone’s memory of this episode, what would you

choose?

• Key Themes. What themes does this episode address? (War, poverty, family, home, etc.)

• Other Significant Elements. Anything else you notice in the episode, such as costumes, music, technology, language, historical allusions, etc. What elements you choose to identify will likely

reflect your own interests and knowledge base. A music major, for example, will likely be able to

hear the significance of the score more easily than someone without any knowledge of music. A

history major may more readily draw connections between the events depicted in the show and

real historical events than someone without a lot of historical knowledge. Someone who has a lot

of knowledge of horror films might recognize common elements of those film genres.

Character Notes: These are notes on the main characters of the series.

• Identify the character’s role in the show and his/her relationship(s) to other characters.

• Identify the character’s defining traits. This includes physical and personality traits.

• Track information about the characters’ history or backstory that helps us understand the character better

• Track key plot points (scenes and episodes) that feature the character and/or help us understand him/her/it

Tips: Think ahead of time about themes or ideas that are of interest to you so you can keep an eye out for

them when they appear. Often, writing about a text means that you don’t know what will be most

important to you or the argument you want to make the first time through, so good notes and preparation

help.

Key themes/topics from the series that might interest you include: 1980s nostalgia, 1980s horror, science,

experimentation, mental abilities, role-playing games influencing real life, government v. individual, the

power of photography, law enforcement, morality/ethics, family, community, home, belief and

CSUSB

Stranger Things Portfolio Taylor 2

believability, conspiracy theories, technology (uses/abuses/lack thereof), etc. There is a lot going on in

this series. You won’t see everything, but you will see something. You may also need to re-watch

episodes.

Develop shortcuts and abbreviations for yourself (characters’ initials, using the first three or four

letters of a longer word, etc.

If you’re watching on your own, note the position (time) in the episode when something happens that

seems significant so it’s easier for you to find again if you decide to use that scene in a future assignment.

Note Templates (Sheets) will be available on Blackboard and were distributed in class. You do not

have to use these, but you do need the information required. (See above for what you need to track.)

Reflective Letter: Once you have completed the series and we are finished with it as a class, you will need

to compose a reflective letter addressed to me. The letter should discusses the following:

• Your overall experience with the series. Be honest and detailed. It’s OK if you don’t like the series, but you are still expected to complete it and explain why you didn’t like it.

• How participating in the Pathfinder game affected your experience with Stranger Things.

• Your overall experience watching a television series as a formal text to be studied. Be honest and detailed.

• Connections you can make between the monster theory we have studied this quarter and Stranger Things. You will need to directly refer to Cohen, Blake & Cooper, and/or Jones.

• Your overall recommendation of the series. Would you recommend this to someone else? Explain.

• Your favorite episode and why.

• Your favorite character and why.

• Anything else you’d like to say about Stranger Things.

The letter is not a place for feedback on the class. It is about your viewing experience only.

The letter should be typed in 12-point Arial or Times New Roman font. It should be double-spaced. There

should be clear paragraphs. (The entire letter can’t be one long paragraph.) The letter should be 650-1250

words. I promise there is enough to talk about to get to the minimum word count.

Assessment:

The Portfolio is worth 250 points. The Notes section is 100 points and the Letter will be 150 points.

Notes will be assessed on thoroughness and general completion (all episodes and all characters). If you

handwrite your notes, the size of your writing does not determine “completeness.” I am looking for

quality in your notes. The Letter will be assessed according to the Assessment Policy in the syllabus and

the general Grading Criteria rubric on Blackboard. Be sure to answer all portions of the Letter prompt.

Submission:

Portfolios will be submitted via hard-copy print only. If you take notes on your laptop, you will need to

print them out. Putting your Portfolio in a binder or folder or manila envelope would be appreciated but is

not necessary. The Portfolio will be due on Finals Day, Thursday, 12/7/17 at the beginning of class

and will count as your Final Exam.

Compile your Portfolio with the Letter first, followed by your Notes.