Archaeology & the Media
ANT 435
Spring 2009

 

Guidelines for Film Critique/Evaluation Questions

 

Critique Requirements:
For the first part of your assignment you're to develop ten (10) film evaluation questions that you, as the reviewer (see above image) would ask while critically evaluating a film depicting at least some aspect of archaeology.  What kinds of things should one look for when they're reviewing a media portrayal of the field of archaeology?  What questions are important to ask when one is evaluating films on archaeology?  For this assignment use what you have learned thus far this semester about critically evaluating certain aspects of media portrayals of archaeology.  What kinds of questions are worth asking about how the media depicts archaeology or archaeologists today?  What aspects of the film media's portrayals of archaeology are particularly noteworthy?

The second part of this assignment deals with your rationale for choosing your ten questions.  You are to state in summary form, exactly why you believe it is important to ask the questions you asked.  This summary should be around one page in length, single-spaced text.  Points will be deducted from your grade if your summary statements of why you think your questions are important to ask is significantly less than one page in length.  I really want to know your reasons for choosing the questions you think are important to ask.  Points also will be deducted if you do not follow the format requirements outlined below, or if your questions and summary page are late.


Deadline for Submitting Film Critique Questions:
Your set of ten (10) questions and one page summary rationale is due no later than April 7, 2009.  Feel free to submit your assignment any time before April 7, 2009!


Content of Assignment:
First, what kind of media are you evaluating?  As we have learned, depending on the producer of the film (National Geographic Channel, History Channel versus Hollywood production companies) the intent and content of these films on archaeology can differ greatly.  You may choose to write evaluation questions for any of the non-Hollywood films, often called 'documentaries,' such as those seen on the Discovery Channel, National Geographic Channel, History Channel or Public Broadcasting (PBS).  On the other hand you can choose to write 10 film evaluation questions oriented specifically toward 'popular' (Hollywood) films produced by companies such as Miramax, Paramount, Universal Studios, Dreamworks Pictures, etc.  Extra credit will be given (up to 15 points!) if you write five (5) questions that evaluate things like content and intent of Hollywood (popular) films and five (5) for non-Hollywood, documentary-type films.  Get creative!
 

Critique Format Requirements:
The format requirements are very simple for this assignment.  First, type in a heading (or headings) under which you will list each of your five (5) or your ten (10) questions in bulleted form.

Non-Hollywood Documentaries

Hollywood (popular) Films

Note:  Feel free to be more creative with your headings.  For instance, "How Universal and Paramount Studios portray archaeology: The Mummy and Lara Croft," or "National Geographic and the Arts and Entertainment Channel's depictions of Archaeological Finds Today."

Next, type up your one-page rationale.  Use single spacing only.

Finally, type up a cover page that looks like this -

Assignment Title
Example: A Sample of Questions One Should Ask When Viewing Hollywood Films on Archaeology: What are we looking at here?

Your Name

Date
 

Don't spend a lot of time on this, but come up with your own creative title for your paper.  Mine is a rather boring kind of example, but you get the point (I hope).  Creativity and good ideas will be rewarded.  That's it - have fun with this assignment!

As always, contact me if you have any questions about this assignment: 910.962.3429; simmonss@uncw.edu or stop by my office.