Essay #2 - Television and Film

Write a 3-4 page essay that provides a semiotic analysis of a movie, a television program, or a film.

If you select a television program, be sure to focus your paper around 1-2 episodes rather than around the series as a whole. For example, if you select Friends as your text, you may discuss the various characters in the program (e.g. Rachel, Ross, Monica, Chandler, Phoebe and Joey), but you should also call attention to specific moments of dialogue and specific situations in particular episodes.

Note the signs/images in the text such as clothing, setting, body positioning, words (dialogue) and any other elements that the text incorporates. Draw conclusions about what those signs/images stand for and what cultural messages, values, norms are being invoked and why. Use these notes to develop your argument: what overall interpretation can you offer about the text?

One way to approach this issue is to examine your text as a representation of American culture. If you did not know anything about "American" society, what image of "America" is constructed through the text? What values are "American"? Is the text reasserting these values or is it parodying (or "making fun") of these values?

• To think critically about the signs that television and movie producers use and to provide a semiotic analysis of a movie, film, or program.
  
  
• To utilize other writers’ theories to help support and/or to articulate your own opinions and disagreements with those writers.
  
  
• To provide a central thesis statement and to support that thesis statement with evidence from your analysis.

• Must be typed and double-spaced with 1" margins on all sides.
  
  
• Standard 12 pt. font should be used.
  
  
• The paper should include an informative and interesting title (do not use “Essay #2” as the title).
  
  
• Papers must be a minimum of three pages in length (not including the heading, title, or any supporting graphics). Number all pages except for the first one.
  
  
• The paper is due on Friday, October 25, 2002 in class. The revision (post-peer review workshop) is due on Monday, October 28, 2002 in class. If you arrive to class five minutes late on either day, your paper will be considered late.

• Rushkoff, Douglas. “Channel Surfing”
  
  
• Rosenzweig, Jane. “Ally McBeal’s Younger Sisters”
  
  
• Misson, Ray. “Living the Lifestyle: The Attractions of Seinfeld”
  
  
• Thill, Scott. “Independence Day and the Renationalization of America”
  
  
• DeMott, Benjamin. “Put on a Happy Face: Masking the Differences Between Blacks and Whites”