Class Extra Credit
As we have discussed in class, the written medium is not the only way in which we can make an argument. We try to convince others of our opinion in a plethora of ways, and one of the most innovative and powerful of these is the documentary film. You have the chance to earn two points of extra credit by watching two of the documentaries below. You will receive one percentage point each for any of the films you watch (two is the limit). In order to receive the credit, you need to write a short statement (300-400 words) in which you tell me what the director’s thesis was, if they convinced you (Why? Why not?) and what sort of evidence they provided to support their point. The extra credit is due Sunday, April 18th by midnight at the latest. You can email it to me at alexandra.hidalgo@purdue.edu any time before then.
Here are your choices for documentaries. You can borrow them for free at your public library or through Netflix or video stores like Blockbuster. Some of them are also available for free on the web. Purdue may also have some of them at our library. Feel free to watch them together and discuss them, but make sure to present your opinion individually. The thesis may be the same, but the evidence you discuss and your reaction to the film should be different.
Bowling for Columbine directed by Michael Moore. Main topic: gun control.
Fahrenheit 911 directed by Michael Moore. Main topic: 9/11.
Food Inc. directed by Robert Kenner. Main topic: Corporate versus organic food production.
The Gleaners and I directed by Agnes Varda. Main topic: Recycling food and objects.
An Inconvenient Truth directed by Davis Guggenheim. Main topic: global warming.
Jesus Camp directed by Rachel Grady. Main topic: children and Christianity.
Mad Hot Ballroom directed by Marilyn Agrelo. Main topic: children and dancing.
Man on Wire directed by James Marsh. Main topic: about a man that tight rope walks across the World Trade Center.
The Party’s Over directed by Donovan Leitch. Main topic: 2000 elections.
The Rape of Europa directed by Richard Berge and Bonni Cohen. Main topic: Art stolen during WWII.
Religulous directed by Larry Charles. Main topic: atheism and religion.
Roger and Me directed by Michael Moore. Main topic: job outsourcing in America.
Sicko directed by Michael Moore. Main topic: health care system.
Spellbound directed by Jeffrey Blitz. Main topic: spelling bee competitions.
Super Size Me directed by Morgan Spurlock. Main topic: obesity.
V-Day: Until the Violence Stops directed by Abby Epstein. Main topic: women’s rights.
Young @ Heart directed by Stephen Walker. Main topic: the elderly and singing.
