What to Do

You are required to watch 15 videos published by Kahn Academy (Smarthistory.com) throughout the semester. You are further required to choose 5 of these videos for which you will submit notes and a short review of the material.

DEADLINE: The notes are due 1 week after the viewing of the video. All reviews should be submitted by the last day of class (12/4)

CRITICAL RESPONSE 2: REVIEW ARTICLE 

Write a short double-spaced, 2-page paper in the form of a review for a magazine, journal, newspaper, or blog of David Redmon’s documentary, Mardi Gras, Made in China (2005) OR the networked “novel,” “Flight Paths.” Imagine a literate but general audience who might not know much about these cultural productions or the contexts that they illuminate. Therefore, offer a brief “reading” (your reading) of what the text is about and then your evaluation of it. Remember an essential feature of a good review is the reviewer’s ability to write concisely so a comprehensive evaluation can be obtained from a brief reading.

Questions

Here are some guiding questions…

1. What does the audience have to know about the author and the production of this text? (This might be your introduction)
2. What is the filmmaker/author’s main thesis or arguments? How does he or she present these arguments (organization, form, style)? Is there one part that jumps out at you?
3. Does this work change the way in which we have thought about these issues? If so, how? If not, why not?
4. What are the strong points or shortcomings of this cultural production?
   5.What is your overall evaluation of the work? Why is it important to review? (This might be your conclusion)

Your assignment should be double-spaced, with page numbers, edited and proof read, stapled. Please include your name, your TA’s name, and your section date and time on your paper.