Your task is to write a critical review of a popular text (film or TV show, game, book, advertisement, etc.). Describe its use of genre conventions (setting, characters, iconography, narrative, style, stars), developing a discussion of the text’s issues and themes. Rather than simply retell the story your focus should be on the use and meaning of genre elements.

Word limit: 750-1000 words

Weighting: 20% of overall grade

Note: Further details about this assessment piece are available on Moodle.

This assignment will be evaluated on the extent to which it demonstrates:

1. A clear understanding of the text in terms of popular culture;
2. A recognition of the defining elements of relevant genres (setting, characters, narrative, iconography, style, stars);
3. The ability to analyze the ideological significance of the text using recommended analytical concepts;
4. Effective use of the review article structure; including the ability to identify and evaluate arguments, synthesize ideas, and develop coherent positions;
5. Clarity of expression and presentation; effective use of scholarly references; an ability to reference using the Harvard style.

This "authentic learning” exercise involves creativity and role-play. You have an idea for a film or TV show that you want to make. Before you can go any further, you have to convince the studio executives to approve and fund the project. To do this, you need to create a 'pitch'.

Your pitch should include a title, tagline, plot synopsis (very brief), a description of the repertoire of elements, including the characters (and the actors who might play them), and a brief discussion of themes and issues. You may wish to make a 'trailer/ preview', and/or include a sample of the screenplay/memorable quotes. You are invited to be as creative as you want with the 'pitch' (but bear in mind you must demonstrate an understanding of genre conventions and how they interrelate).

Internal students will be expected to work in teams in class. They will present their pitches to the class in Weeks 8 & 9. Distance students will be expected to submit their pitch by the end of Week 8 though they may submit earlier. Distance students may also work in teams if they wish, but need to advise the course coordinator by email of the members of their group. Distance students submit the pitch online through Moodle.

Word limit: 2000-2500 words

Weighting: 40% of overall grade

Note: Further details about this assessment piece are available on Moodle.

This assignment will be evaluated on the following criteria:

1. Potential for the pitch to be made into a film (e.g. its creativity, plausibility & credibility);
2. Enthusiasm of the presenters for their project and their storytelling skills;
3. The ability to demonstrate an understanding of the elements of genre, and that popular texts both affirm and subvert ideological norms;
4. Striking an effective balance between creativity and criticism;
5. Clarity of expression and presentation (including spelling and grammar); and,
6. Appropriate acknowledgement of all sources using the Harvard (author-date) referencing style.

Throughout the term you are expected to engage with the unit by addressing the weekly discussion topics. For Assessment Item 3 choose one of the weekly discussion topics, and develop your response into a longer essay. Formulate an argument about how a text's representation of social issues is conveyed through genre conventions.

OR Choose one of the following topics:

1. Choose one of the critical methodologies introduced in the course (e.g. semiotics, psychoanalysis, feminism, postmodernism, etc.) and produce a detailed analysis of a film or TV show of your choice.
2. It could be argued that the more a text explicitly conforms to the conventions of its genre, the more it implicitly reinforces society’s dominant ideologies. Conversely a text that subverts genre conventions tends to be progressive or radical in regard to these social norms. Discuss the validity of this theory by comparing and contrasting at least two films and/or TV programs.

3. Diachronic genre analysis reveals the historical process of social meaning whereas synchronic analysis examines the contemporary structure of social meaning. Demonstrate your understanding of these semiotic concepts by discussing the ideological significance of several popular texts.

4. Popular texts can be understood as relatively conventional or innovative depending on the selection and arrangement of genre elements. Discuss. 
5. There is a perception that popular texts are somehow ‘easy’, that they don’t require analysis and don’t warrant study, as they contain nothing of ‘value’. High cultural texts on the other hand are seen as repositories of ‘timeless human wisdom’. Referring to at least two films and/or TV programs, discuss the validity of this view.

Word limit: The final essay is 1500 - 2000 words

Weight 40%

Note: More information about this assessment can be found on Moodle.

This assignment will be evaluated on the following criteria:

1. A clear recognition and understanding of the defining elements of relevant popular genres,
2. the ability to analyse the ideological significance of particular texts;
3. The ability to identify and evaluate arguments, synthesize ideas, and develop coherent positions;
4. Clarity of expression and presentation (including spelling and grammar); and,
5. Appropriate acknowledgement of all sources using the Harvard (author-date) referencing style.