ZUR 393n:  The American West and the Western Film

Spring 2016 / Masaryková Univerzita



Reading Response Papers


You will be responsible for submitting FIVE Reading Response papers for this class.  Each Reading
Response should be 1-2 pages in length (preferably using 1.5 line spacing).  The papers are due at
the start of class (15:15), either as hard copies or submitted electronically, on the following
dates:

                10 March

                24 March

                14 April

28 April

                12 May


Your overall task in these Reading Response papers is to link theory (an argument or explanation)
with specific verbal and/or visual content drawn from relevant film scenes.  You may either start
with a quotation from the readings or with a film scene, but in either case, you need to be able to
draw clear, persuasive, and insightful connections between the two.  Film scenes may be drawn from
examples shown in class (though be certain to offer new insight in your discussion of previously
screened clips), linked on the course website, or from your own viewing of Western films.

Please follow this format for the Reading Response papers:

1.       Copy a specific quotation from the assigned readings for that week (name the author,
essay, and cite the exact page number)  OR  identify a specific film scene that you wish to analyze
(name the film, director, year, and a short identifying name for the scene.


2.      Briefly restate/explain the author's argument in your own words  OR  offer a brief
description of the film scene you have chosen, identifying the characters, setting, and summarizing
key the action that takes place or information conveyed through dialogue.



3.       FOR QUOTATIONS:  offer an extended reflection on the quotation you have chosen, either
supporting the author's argument by presenting further evidence from one or more relevant film
scenes (NOT discussed by the author) to illustrate the argument OR challenging the author's
argument by presenting counter evidence drawn from film scenes.

FOR FILM SCENES:  offer an analysis of the scene, making an argument about a specific detail in the
setting, costuming, or dialogue, etc. that is important to understanding either an individual
character or a key theme or feature of the Western genre.  In addition to using specific details
from the scene itself, be sure to link your argument to arguments found in the assigned readings.
Cite appropriate page numbers from the readings.


Please note that the final exam for the class will follow much the same format as these Reading
Response papers, and so treating these bi-weekly assignments seriously will help ensure your
success on the final exam.