COMM 1100 Unit 5 – Film Analysis

What you will do:

The film analysis is the primary assessment of what students understand about interpersonal communication. Your paper should be a minimum of 600 words.

Select from one of the following contemporary films for the film analysis:

1. The Duchess
2. Braveheart
3. Mr. Holland’s Opus
4. What Women Want
5. Sex and the City 1
6. Pride and Prejudice
7. Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner
8. Sound of Music
9. The Secret Garden
10. First Knight
11. Footloose
12. Colombiana
13. Avatar
14. The Proposal
15. Hitch
16. Sense and Sensibility
17. Artificial Intelligence
18. The Breakfast Club
19. The Devil Wears Prada
20. The Blindside
21. Nanny McPhee
22. Gran Torino
23. Sleeping with the Enemy
24. 27 Dresses
25. Good Will Hunting
26. Four Feathers
27. Juno
28. Steel Magnolias
29. The Color Purple
30. Crash

Each of these films demonstrates one or more of the major concepts discussed in this unit, including the source and role of conflict in the human quest for meaningful interpersonal relationships. If you have seen one or more of these films, you are encouraged to choose one you have already seen because communication concepts demonstrated in each film are often easier to see after multiple viewings of a film. Link as many concepts (at least 5) from this unit as you can to scenes from the film you choose.

Give your essay the following header:

[Your name]
eCore COMM 1100
[Date]
[Film title]

When your essay is complete:

1. Submit it to your instructor as an attachment to this Assignment Dropbox.
2. Post it to discussions for your classmates to read under the topic Unit 5 – Film Analysis Paper Discussion.

Grading Criteria:

The film analysis must have a clear introduction, body and conclusion. The introduction should contain an attention getter; a statement of topic (e.g. “This analysis is about The Waterboy.”); a statement of purpose (e.g. to inform, to persuade or to entertain); a thesis that makes a judgment about the value of the film for what it teaches us about communication; and a preview of your main ideas.

The body of the paper should be paragraphed to reflect your main ideas. Your main ideas and supporting ideas should be chosen and organized to demonstrate your understanding of at least 5 key concepts from this unit. Link the key concepts to scenes from the film.

Key Concepts:

1. Interpersonal conflict
2. Managing Emotions
3. Self –Disclosure
4. Social Judgment Theory
5. Social Comparison Theory
6. Family Rituals
7. Stages of Relationship Development – Romantic
8. Stages of Relationship Development – Friendship
9. Gender Norms and Impact on Relationships
10. Managing Cultural Differences in Relationships
11. Love Display
12. Identity Management Strategies
13. Social Exchange Theory

The conclusion of the paper should summarize your main ideas about the film and close the paper. A suggestion for thinking about how to conclude a paper is to answer the question So What? In other words, how can this film/concept help me/others in our relationships or communication behaviors?

You must turn in this assignment by the due date indicated in the course calendar. As always, proper English should be used; spelling, grammar, and punctuation will be checked. Reference the book and the course material. As well, cite the film and book/written work the film is based upon; and use at least one (1), preferred two (2) outside sources to support your analysis. All Work Cited with in-text citation and in MLA format.