This course will take a formal approach to writing about film, with emphasis on close-reading the visual text. Students will be expected to complete four papers over the half-term (approximately one/week). Films are likely to include: Star Trek (2009), Skyfall, Mad Max: Fury Road, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and The Thing (1982).

Prerequisites:

While 281 has no formal prerequisite, this is an intermediate writing course, and instructors expect entering students to know how to formulate claims, integrate evidence, demonstrate awareness of audience, and structure coherent sentences, paragraphs and essays. Thus we strongly encourage students to complete an introductory (100 level) writing course before enrolling in English 281.