Question 1

Discuss the common "reflectionist" argument that genres mirror larger events and trends in society.Drawing on examples from class readings and screenings, suggest the strengths and weaknesses of this argument.

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Question 2

Drawing on class readings and screenings, describe the typical narrative patterns used to integrate song-and-dance numbers into musicals, commenting especially on the importance of romance.

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Question 3

Select any relatively recent crime thriller, such as Bryan Singer's The Usual Suspects or Joel and Ethan Coen's Fargo, and discuss how the filmmaker has manipulated the typical characters and narrative structure to refresh the genre.

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Question 4

Film Art suggests that the Western deals with "the conflict between civilized order and the lawless frontier." Drawing on readings and screenings, suggest what conventions and iconography of the Western are associated with that conflict.

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Question 5

Discuss the importance of new subgenres and the mixing of genres to changes in genre conventions, drawing on examples from class readings and screenings.

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Question 6

Drawing on class readings and screenings, describe the kinds of conventions and iconography used to evoke the monstrous forces at the center of the horror film.Suggest some reasons for the enduring appeal of this genre.

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