Writing as an Arts Critic for 12/10/15

It's our last class meeting: Thursday, 12/10/15, at 4 pm.

Your Final Papers are due at class time.

Also, you'll need to give a five-minute report on your Final Paper, saying what your three works are, what your theme is, why you chose those works and that theme, and a random fact (large or small) that you learned while writing or researching your paper.

If you want your Final Paper returned, you'll need to bring a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Expository Writing for 12/7/15

Final Class of the Semester on 12/7/15

1) Your Final Paper is due at class time.
2) Be prepared to discuss your Final Paper for five minutes by telling the class the films you've selected, the theme you've chosen, why you picked those films and that theme, and some fact (large or small) you learned in writing or researching your Final Paper.

Writing as an Arts Critic for 12/3/15

This week is our penultimate class.
Among other things, we'll be going over some tips for writing your final papers. So please bring in any questions you may have about them.
Also, we'll be workshopping some papers. If you haven't returned Paper 5 and/or 6 to me, please bring it (or them) with you and we'll take a look.
Also: Martin, I haven't received a Final Paper proposal from you yet. Time is running out...
Finally, we'll have a sort of free-flowing discussion about reviewing the arts -- and writing about them in other ways. This could interesting. Let the back of your mind work on that before Thursday.

Expository Writing for 11/30/15

This week, your fourth short paper -- about The Graduate, Lost in Translation and alienation -- is due at class time.

We will also discuss Lost in Translation. Some Talking Points:
1) What are some signs of alienation in the film?
2) What are the similarities between this film and The Graduate?
3) Do you like the characters in this film. Why or why not?

Expository Writing for 11/23/15

Scarlett Johansson & Bill Murray in Lost in Translation

This week, a lot of the class time will be taken up with watching Lost in Translation. Keep in mind that because of the length of the film, we will not have time for our usual break.

See you then!

Expository Writing for 11/16/15

This week, we'll meet as a class only from 5 pm to 5:45 pm. We will spend most of that time discussing The Graduate.
We will also have Final Paper Conferences during regular class time in my office, 210 Orlando Hall. Please arrive 10 minutes early, if possible. Here's the schedule:
4 pm Howard, 4:10 April, 4:20 Tarkel, 4:30 John, 4:40 Charles, 4:50 Michael, 5:50 Thais, 6 pm Rachel, 6:10 Britton.

Writing as an Arts Critic for 11/19/15

This week, we'll meet as a class only from 5 pm to 5:50. There will also be some Final Paper Conferences in my office, 210 Orlando Hall. Please try to arrive 10 minutes early for the conferences, if possible. Here's the conference schedule:
4 pm LuLu, 4:10 Gil, 4:20 Matthew, 4:30 Darlene, 4:40 Sarah, 5:50 Nick, 6 pm James.

Expository Writing for 11/9/15

Dustin Hoffman (Benjamin) and Anne Bancroft (Mrs. Robinson) in The Graduate

Most of our class time this week will be devoted to watching The Graduate. We will have a break, but it will be AFTER the film. If you think you'll need a break earlier than that, you should consider taking it before class.

I have only one early Final Paper Conference scheduled for 11/9/15. If you think you might want to move your conference up a week, these times are open on 11/9/15: 3:25, 3:35, 3:45, 6:50, 7:00.

If you want one of those times, please email me which one and I'll reply to let you know if it's still open.

Writing as an Arts Critic for 11/12/15

Some of you left class last night before I could give you the prompt for our sixth short paper (which is due 11/12/15). Here it is:

PROMPT: SHORT PAPER 6

For this paper, choose a CD album that you have strong feelings about, positive or negative. Write a review of that album emphasizing one or two songs but still reviewing the album as a whole.

Be sure to provide plenty of details. Really describe the music and say what you think of it. If you include background or historical information, be sure to cite your sources. Also, remember that this is a review, not a research paper.

Paper 6 is due on 11/12/15. On that day, you will also need to bring the CD to class and play one of the songs you have focused on in your paper. Then you will need to either read your review to the class or, working from notes, talk about the basic points of the review.

Your paper should be two pages, double-spaced. Your grade will reflect your ability to respond fully to the prompt, express your ideas clearly, follow rules of grammar and spelling, follow the “tip sheet” guidelines for writing papers, and demonstrate an understanding of the music you have selected.

Writing as an Arts Critic for 11/5/15

Steve Brady and Anne Hering in Bakersfield Mist

1) I think most of you will agree that there's a lot to think about and write about in Bakersfield Mist. If you choose to write that paper, it's due at our next meeting, 11/5.
2) Those of us who were able to get together after the show on Friday evening had a great, wide-ranging discussion. We talked about the play, among other things, and we'll continue that discussion in class on 11/5. Yes, there's still a lot more to say.
3) As some of you know, Anne Hering, who played Maude in Bakersfield Mist, will be coming to our class to answer your questions about her work and theater in general. She can not make it on 11/5, but she will be with us the following week, on 11/12.
4) Speaking of 11/12, that will also be the day that you will be sharing your music selections with the rest of the class. (On the schedule, it says "Show 3," but you are the show!) If you choose to write that paper, it's due that day, too.
5) Even if you choose not to write the paper on music, you can still bring a music selection to class on 11/12 and share it with the rest of us. In fact, if you like, you can bring your music selection to our next class, on 11/5, and share it then. (Again, the paper on music isn't due until 11/12.)
6) Finally, as some of you know, the artist who recently spoke to our class, Casandra Hill, will be showing her work from 5-7 pm on Nov. 12. Unfortunately, that's mostly during our class. However, you can catch the last half hour if you go to it right after our class. It's in the Cornell Fine Arts Building.

Expository Writing for 11/2/15

I hope you've started thinking about your Final Paper. You can sign up for your Final Paper Conferences in class this week.

Also, this week, I'll be asking each of you for an anonymous comment or question about our class. So please try to think of one.

What does "alienation" really mean? We'll talk about that, too.

See you then!

Expository Writing for 10/26/15

Talking Points for Juno:

1) Are this movie's issues appropriate subjects for comedy?
2) Does this 2007 film strike you as modern or old-fashioned?
3) What is Juno's attitude toward the baby she is carrying?
4) What do you think of the use of music in this movie? The animated sequences?
5) Why does Juno have a pipe?

Writing as an Arts Critic for 10/30/15

Orlando Shakespeare Theater

This week, remember, we will NOT be meeting on Thursday. Instead, we'll meet on Friday (10/30/15) at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Loch Haven Park. Please be there between 7 pm and 7:15 pm. The earlier you are there, the better your choice of seats. Look for me in the lobby.

You should be able to park near the Orlando Shakespeare Theater. (If the lot is full for some reason, you can park across the way near the Orlando Repertory Theater.)

I'm still trying to figure out where to meet after the play for a little talk. If you have a suggestion of some place nearby, bring it with you.

Writing As an Arts Critic for 10/22/15

Jackson Pollock

1) OK, first things first. If you haven't paid for your theater ticket, please bring $15 with you this week. That would be Martin, Sarah, Gil, James, Lou-Lou, Nick, Nico and Matthew.

2) Nico, you should also figure out when you'd like to go to see Bakersfield Mist. Here's the website of the Orlando Shakespeare Theater. Pick out a show where there are still tickets left.
  https://orlandoshakes.secure.force.com/ticket

3) Matthew, I haven't heard from you, man! If you read this, please email me at jboyar@rollins.edu. I have tried to contact you at your Rollins email address, but I haven't heard back.

4) In class this week, we'll be discussing the special issues involved in writing about art. Bring your comments and questions about that.

5) The painting shown here is by the American artist Jackson Pollock. Our play, Bakersfield Mist, revolves around one of his paintings.

Expository Writing for 10/19/15

Ellen Page in Juno

1) This week, we'll spend some time workshopping your papers on Frankenstein & Young Frankenstein. There will be time for questions and comments on these short papers and on writing issues generally. What's on your mind about these things?

2) We will also watch Juno, in preparation for your next writing project. Be prepared to take notes while you watch the film. Remember that the key to these papers is specific evidence from the films.

3) Also: Really good discussion about Young Frankenstein last week. Lots of fresh insights.

Writing As an Arts Critic: Prompt for 10/15/15

PROMPT 4: Visual Arts

Paper 4 is due on 10/22/15. It should be two pages, double-spaced. Your grade will reflect your ability to respond fully to the prompt, express your ideas clearly, follow rules of grammar and spelling, follow the “tip sheet” guidelines for writing papers, and demonstrate an understanding of the art on display.

At the Cornell Museum there are several shows currently on view including: Fashionable Portraits in Europe, Jess T. Dugan: Every Breath We Drew, Enduring Documents, Religion Redefined, Gesture and Pose, A Sense of Place, and History and Myth.

Choose one show and review it. Review the show as a whole, but also focus in on one or two works in that show that strike you as particularly interesting.

Be sure to provide plenty of details. Really describe the works and say what you think of them. If you include background or historical information, be sure to cite your sources. Also, remember that this is a review, not a research paper.

Writing As an Arts Critic for 10/15/15

Cornell Museum at Rollins College

1) Don't forget that our class on 10/15/15 will meet at the usual time (4 pm) at the Cornell Museum on campus. We'll spend about an hour there, including a tour of the place. Then, at about 5:15 pm, we'll all meet again in our usual classroom for the rest of the class. All of this is required.

2) On Friday, Oct. 30, we will be attending a play. Tickets cost $15, which is a major reduction of the usual price. You are required to see the play, but arrangements can be made for you to see it at another time, if you really can not make it on Oct. 30. Still, I very much hope we can all see the play together.

3) In any case, you will need to give me $15 in cash so I can buy the tickets. You should do this as soon as possible. If possible, please bring the money to class on 10/15.

4) This play will be the last event you will need to pay for in this class.

Expository Writing for 10/12/15

Talking Points for Frankenstein & Young Frankenstein:
  1) Which movie do you prefer? Why?
  2) What are some of the running (or repeated) gags in Young Frankenstein?
  3) What does Young Frankenstein "borrow" from Frankenstein?
  4) What do hands signify in Young Frankenstein?
  5) What do you think of the acting in Young Frankenstein?


 

Writing As an Arts Critic for 10/8/15

If the review of The Intern is one of the four short papers you're choosing to write, it is due at class time on 10/8.

In any case, you need to see the movie by then. We will be discussing it in class.

For those who didn't make the screening last Thursday, we had a really great discussion of the film afterward. I'm hoping we can bring the insights and intensity of that discussion to our class on 10/8.

If you write about this film, remember all the correct spellings of names that you'll probably need are on imdb.com. Be sure to check your spelling.

Finally, we will also workshop your papers on The Third Man. So if you have your paper on that film, please remember to bring it in with you.

Expository Writing for 10/5/15

Gene Wilder in Young Frankenstein

This week, we will watch Young Frankenstein. We will also discuss Frankenstein.

Talking Points for Frankenstein:
1) What is intentionally funny in the film?
2) What is unintentionally funny?
3) Is it significant that this film is based on a story by a woman?
4) Are hands important in this film? If so, how?